The research results are published in Applied Sciences (Q2, IF: 2,838).
Well drilling requires the use of a special process fluid, the drilling mud. The functions of drilling muds include wellbore cleaning, hydrostatic pressure maintenance, creation of a filter cake on well walls and others. Drilling mud performance is commonly assessed by laboratory testing. According to scientists, proper selection of mud composition and drilling parameters helps to increase the rate of penetration and reduce the problems associated with the process, such as cavings, seizures and others.
"Ideally, solution parameters should be measured not by laboratory staff but by a mathematical model. This is exactly what the research of Al-Shargabi Mohammed Abdulsalam Taha Sallam, a co-author, postgraduate student, was aimed at: to determine criteria and build the model. Knowing certain parameters, we can optimize drilling mud parameters and drilling modes to ensure proper well construction and operation and to minimize potential problems," said Konstantin Minaev, project manager and director at the Research and Education Center for Petroleum Chemistry and Technology of the TPU School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, to Interfax.
He explained that the model was field-tested at operating wells in Saudi Arabia. The research team used the well parameters in the novel mathematical model, thus obtaining the result. In all cases, it coincided with actual operation of the well.
In their experiment with two wells, the scientists proved that the new model helps to increase the well penetration rate by about 1.6 times and to reduce the torque by 44%. Besides, the model is applicable to any well and the formula can be used to create an application for a service company or an operator.
"Previously, cleaning indices were more geared toward vertical wells. Now they cover directional wells or those with a considerable horizontal wellbore section. We are planning to design a six-meter variable-angle well bench. Then we will be able to simulate the actual cleaning process. We also plan to test various borehole cleanout modes and parameters, different types of solutions," Konstantin Minaev added.