Pressure Loss Correlation for Drilling Fluids for Flow Through Horizontal Pipes and Annuli

摘要

Existing correlations for the calculation of friction pressure losses in pipes and are evaluated with extensive experimental data obtained with five different drilling muds. A flow loop having a length of 350 feet and consisting of two annular and two pipe flow sections is used in the test program. Both laminar and turbulent flow regimes are considered in the study. The rheological models that are utilized in the friction presure loss correlations are the Bingham plastic, the power law, and the yield power law. It is concluded that there is no single rheological model in conjunction with any of the existing correlations that universally applies to all mud systems. It is found that for the water/Bentonitemud and MMH, correlations that utilize the yield power law model have the best agreement with the experimental data for both laminar and turbulent flow.