Flow Field and Pressure Loss Characteristics at Rotary Drillstring Joints

Abstract

A thorough understanding and accurate calculation of the annulus pressure losses are paramount to drilling design and construction. However, due to the influence of the drillstring rotation and the abrupt dimensional variation at the joint, it is difficult to calculate the pressure loss by theoretical analysis in the annulus at the drillstring joints. Considering the geometric nonlinearity of drillstring joints and the unsteady flow of annular fluid caused by pipe rotation, based on the turbulence model k−ε, the flow field characteristics demonstrate the annulus pressure losses at the drillstring joint are studied by numerical simulation. Simulation results indicate that drillstring rotation speed, annular gap, and eccentricity greatly influence flow field and pressure losses at drillstring joints. The annular pressure loss would increase with the decrease of the annular gap and eccentricity but decrease with the increase of the drillstring rotation rate. The investigation method and results would help guide the design of drilling hydraulic parameters.