Title: Development of a gas injection rate model for gas-drilling horizontal wells based on the onset of cutting-particle motion

Authors: Xiaohua Zhu; Biao Liu

Addresses: School of Mechatronic Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, China ' School of Mechatronic Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610500, China

Abstract: Gas-drilling horizontal wells (GDHWs) can increase the rate of penetration in hard formations, help protect hydrocarbon reservoirs and enhance recovery efficiency. Given currently there are few effective models modified by reproductive experiments to predict the minimum gas injection rate in GDHWs. In this study, a new model is developed to predict the minimum gas injection rate in GDHWs based on the onset of cutting-particle motion, meanwhile a simulation equipment is designed to mimic a GDHW to understand the onset of cutting-particle motion and modify the model innovatively. The results provided by the modified model show that the minimum gas flow rate required to start cutting-particle motion rises with increases in the size and degree of flatness of the cuttings and the subsidence constraints of the borehole. Analysis using field data in the published article demonstrates that the modified model can accurately predict the minimum gas injection rate in GDHWs. [Received: March 16, 2018; Accepted: June 6, 2018]

Keywords: gas injection rate; onset of cutting; gas-drilling horizontal well; GDHW; experimental verification; predictive model; cutting onset.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2020.106703

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2020 Vol.24 No.1, pp.36 - 61

Received: 16 Mar 2018
Accepted: 06 Jun 2018
Published online: 20 Apr 2020 *

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