WELLCLEAN* Module

* Mark of Schlumberger

Ranges For Flow

Friction Pressure

Laminar flow

lastic
P
m
a
h
g
Bin
Model

Turbulent flow

ode l
Power Law M
del
o
M
n
nia
Newto

Flow Rate Q

Types of Flow
V=0
Laminar Flow
Velocity Profile
(Sliding motion)

V=2 x Vav

Turbulent Flow
Velocity Profile
(Swirling motion)

Laminar and Turbulent Flow regimes are found anywhere (pipe, concentric or eccentric annuli)

REYNOLDS NUMBER
Dimensionless number used to predict the flow regime turbulent or

laminar
For a Newtonian fluid of density flowing in a pipe of diameter D,
at an average velocity V :
Reynolds

number

Re =

VD/

For non-Newtonian fluids, formula can be adapted using the

apparent viscosity :
Reynolds

number

Re =

VD/ a critical Reynolds

Turbulent flow is achieved when Re exceeds
number Rec-

Calculated critical flow for turbulence may vary according to the

formulae used to calculate R e the definition of Re (3000,).

The Effects of Casing Standoff

The effect of the Casing Standoff on the Annular Flow is
qualitatively equivalent to the following flow pattern

Q
D1
V1

10

D2

V2

Newtonian Laminar Flow

VELOCITY :

V1

= 32
I
D12

= 32

D2
=
D1
V1
V2

Re =

V2 D2
=

= 8

11

V1 D1

D22

if D2 = 2D1

REYNOLDS
NUMBER

V2

V2 = 4V1

4 V1 2D1

Re2 = 8 Re1

Newtonian Turbulent Flow

Velocity

0.241 x 0.75 x 0.25 x V1 1.75

D11.25
0.241 x 0.75 x 0.25 x V2
D21.25
V1
V2

if D2 = 2D1

1.75

D1
D2

0.714

V2 = 1.64V1 (For 67%)

Reynolds Number
Re2

V2 D2

1.64V12D1

Re2 = 3.28Re1 (For 67%)

12

3.28V1D1

Newtonian Flow Possibilities

nt
e
l
uulent
Tubrb
Tur

13

ar
n
i
Lam

Tu
rbu

arr
n
i
a
min
Laam
L

l en

Turbulen
t

w
o
l
F
g
in
s
ea
r
Inc

te
a
R

Influence of Pipe Eccentricity

Laminar

c
Turbulent

Concentric Pipes at
critical flow rate for
turbulence Qc
14

Eccentric Pipes at
same rate QC

c = Critical Angle

Correction Table for Turbulent Flow

FLOW-RATE RATIO

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

15

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
API STANDOFF (%)

Turbulent Flow Displacement

Turbulent flow of the preflush(es) all round the

pipe.
Throughout the zone of interest, condition on
preflush(es) satisfied for 10 mins.
When using Chemical Wash, viscosity is taken as 5
cP.

16

Turbulent Screen

17

Turbulent Graphics

18

Effect of Pipe Eccentricity

on Bingham Plastic Fluid
Q
D1
V1

19

D2

Q
D2 > D1
V2 > V1

V2

w2

ELF Flow
Four criteria are associated with the laminar flow

regime to improve the mud removal.

Density hierarchy.
Flow all around the pipe

Minimum Pressure Gradient.

Friction-pressure hierarchy.
Differential velocity criterion

22

The Density-Differential Criterion

The density of the displacing fluid must be higher

than the density of the displaced fluid

mud <

23

spacer <

slurry

The Minimum Pressure Gradient

(MPG) Criterion
Comparison of the wall shear stress on the narrow

side and the fluid yield stress to check the

possibility of flow.

p
l

24

is a function of standoff.
does not apply to pipes perfectly centered.
only applies to fluids with Yield Points
gives a lower limit for flow rate.

displacing>

4 y
STO (D0 - D1)

+ ( displaced - displacing) g cos

Friction Pressure Hierarchy

Criterion
The friction pressure generated by the displacing

fluid must be higher than the pressure generated

by the displaced fluid.
p
p
displacing > 1.2
displaced
l
l
A relatively flat and stable interface with no
possibility for the development of displacement
instabilities.

25

The Differential Velocity Criterion

Verification that the interface between the

displacing and displaced fluid does not rise faster

on the wide side than on the narrow side of the
casing
is a function of standoff.
does not apply to pipes perfectly centered.
gives an upper limit for flow rate

26

Laminar Screen

27

Laminar Graphics

28

Summary
Type of Flow
Slot Flow
Turbulent Flow
Effective Laminar Flow

29