Sweep pills in a drilling operation are used to transport and erode cutting (rock fragments) beds formed on the walls of a directional (inclined) well. Sweep pills are a special type of designer drilling fluid. There is no general synthesis of a sweep pill as each directional well is distinct. The objective of this research project is to create a computer program that predicts the efficiency of a sweep pill when the pill is applied in a varied set of conditions. The computer model strives to provide drilling engineers a low-cost outlet to accurately and efficiently test the potency of their pre-designed sweeps pills in a field simulation. The computer model is based on various mathematical models. Furthermore, the computer program will not only test conventional water-based sweep pills but also oil-based sweep pills. Through the help of empirical data, we intend to evaluate the accuracy of the computer model.  We plan to obtain the empirical data using the small indoor flow loop (“SIFL”) found in the labs of The University of Tulsa Drilling Research Projects (TUDRP).<br/><br/>Currently, we are in preliminary stages of creating the computer program. The computer program in its present state can only run simulations for sweep pills that are used in the context of lab conditions. In terms of obtaining empirical data, we are currently setting up the small indoor flow loop and synthesizing sweep pill samples to the specifications we require.  <br/>

Factors affecting hydraulic sweep ‘pills’ efficiency in highly inclined well bores

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.