A Hydraulic Model for Multiphase Flow Based on the Drift Flux Model in Managed Pressure Drilling

Qiang Fang, Yingfeng Meng, Na Wei, Chaoyang Xu and Gao Li
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Qiang Fang: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Yingfeng Meng: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Na Wei: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Chaoyang Xu: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Gao Li: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-21

Abstract: Managed pressure drilling (MPD) is a drilling technique used to address the narrow density window under complex geological environments. It has widespread applications in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas, both onshore and offshore. In this study, to achieve effective control of the downhole pressure to ensure safety, a gas–liquid two-phase flow model based on the drift flux model is developed to describe the characteristics of transient multiphase flow in the wellbore. The advection upwind splitting method (AUSM) numerical scheme is used to assist with calculation and analysis, and the monotonic upwind scheme for conservation laws (MUSCLs) technique with second-order precision is adopted in combination with the Van Leer slope limiter to improve precision. Relevant data sourced from prior literature are used to validate the suggested model, the results of which reveal an excellent statistical consistency. Further, the influences of various parameters in a field application, including backpressure, density, and mass flow, are analyzed. Over the course of later-stage drilling, a combination of wellhead backpressure and displacement is recommended to exercise control.

Keywords: managed pressure drilling (MPD); two-phase flow; hydraulic model; drift flux model; advection upwind splitting method (AUSM) numerical scheme; high-order accuracy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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