A Novel Efficient Borehole Cleaning Model for Optimizing Drilling Performance in Real Time

Abstract

The drilling industry has evolved significantly over the years, with new technologies making the process more efficient and effective. One of the most crucial issues of drilling is borehole cleaning, which entails removing drill cuttings and keeping the borehole clean. Inadequate borehole cleaning can lead to drilling problems such as stuck pipes, poor cementing, and formation damage. Real-time drilling evaluation has seen significant improvements, allowing drilling engineers to monitor the drilling process and make adjustments accordingly. This paper introduces a novel real-time borehole cleaning performance evaluation model based on the transport index (TIm). The novel TIm model offers a real-time indication of borehole cleaning efficiency. The novel model was field-tested and validated for three wells, demonstrating its ability to determine borehole cleaning efficiency in typical drilling operations. Using TIm in Well-A led to a 56% increase in the rate of penetration (ROP) and a 44% reduction in torque. Moreover, the efficient borehole cleaning obtained through the use of TIm played a significant role in improving drilling efficiency and preventing stuck pipes incidents. The TIm model was also able to identify borehole cleaning efficiency during a stuck pipe issue, highlighting its potential use as a tool for optimizing drilling performance.