Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Temperature on Friction Pressure Loss of Polymeric Drilling Fluid Through Vertical Concentric Annulus

Abstract

This study experimentally investigated the effect of temperature on friction pressure loss through vertical concentric annulus by using the polymer based drilling fluid including Polyanionic Cellulose and Xanthan Gum. Experiments were conducted in a flow loop that has 21-ft smooth and concentric annular test section (2.91 in ID casing x 1.85 in OD pipe) by measuring friction pressure gradient, flow rate at test temperatures of 24, 30, 37 and 44°C. Rheological measurements were performed at each temperature when the system reached the steady state. The effect of temperature on Herschel-Bulkley model parameters, apparent viscosity and Reynolds number were examined. It was found that consistency index and yield point were more sensitive to change in temperature than flow behavior index. Apparent viscosity decreased exponentially with increasing temperature and this decrease was more obvious in low shear rate values. Reynolds number – temperature plot showed earlier regime transition with increasing temperature. It was concluded that, increasing temperature caused decrease in friction pressure loss, and temperature effect should be considered in experimental and theoretical studies in order to estimate friction pressure loss in annuli precisely.