Pressure Profile in Annulus: Solids Play a Significant Role

Abstract

This paper looks into the effects of solids on the wellbore pressure profile under different conditions. An extensive number of experiments were conducted on a 90-ft-long, 4.5 in. × 8 in. full-scale flow loop to simulate field conditions. The flow configurations are analyzed. A solid–liquid two-phase flow configuration map is proposed. Significant difference is found between the pressure profile with solids and without solids in the wellbore. The results of this study show how the pressure profile in the wellbore varies when solids present in the annulus, which may have important applications in drilling operations.