The effect of multiphase flow behaviour on a horizontal annulus by integrating high-speed imaging technique

Abstract

The multiphase flow behavior in a pipe is predictable and the literature is abandon of its investigation. However, the multiphase flow behavior in a horizontal annulus is complicated. Herein, we present the high-speed imaging technique to visualize the multiphase flow regimes in a horizontal annulus. Applications to study the physics of complex multiphase flow associated with the hole cleaning process. The simplicity and the less computational time of visualization technique will provide a diverse advantage to the industry and scientific community and creates a unique prospect to enable an efficient and effective means of visualizing the actual downhole conditions. The multiphase flow visualization has enough potential in distinguishing the fluid phases, flow patterns and thicknesses of cutting beds. The focus of the current work is to present an imaging method for studying the hole cleaning process in drilling applications, which involves the transportation of cuttings through a horizontal annulus. The experiments were simulated in a multiphase flow loop lab at Texas A&M University at Qatar for two-phase and three-phase flow conditions, and images were taken using a high-speed video camera. The visualization technique developed in this study has direct application in investigating the critical conditions required for efficient hole cleaning as well as in optimizing the mud program during both planning and operational phases of drilling. Particularly, it would be useful in predicting the cuttings transport performance, estimating solid bed height, gas bubble size, and mean velocities of bubbles/particles.