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

• Published in: Energies (Basel) 2019-10, Vol.12 (20), p.3930
• Main Authors: Fang, Qiang, Meng, Yingfeng, Na, Wei, Xu, Chaoyang, Gao, Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accuracy; advection upwind splitting method (ausm) numerical scheme; Automation; Compressed gas; Conservation laws; drift flux model; Drilling; Exploration; Exploratory drilling; Fairs & exhibitions; Finite volume method; Fluids; Fractures; Gas hydrates; high-order accuracy; hydraulic model; Hydraulic models; Hydraulics; managed pressure drilling (mpd); Mass flow; Multiphase flow; MUSCL schemes; Natural gas; Offshore drilling rigs; Offshore engineering; Oil exploration; Parameter estimation; Partial differential equations; Pressure; Process controls; Reynolds number; Simulation; Two phase flow; Unsteady flow; Velocity
• ISSN: 1996-1073; 1996-1073
• DOI: 10.3390/en12203930

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.