Cuttings transport modelling in foam drilling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

Foam is non-Newtonian pseudo-plastic fluid, which is used for drilling, well intervention, and stimulation. Predicting the cutting transport efficiency of foam in the wellbore annulus is very important to optimize the drilling process. In this paper, the cuttings transport process with foam is numerically simulated using an Eulerian two-phase model in inclined wellbores. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software package called FLUENT was used for this goal. The effect of foam quality, foam velocity and drill pipe rotation on cuttings transport phenomena in both concentric and eccentric horizontal annulus was investigated. The simulation results are compared to the experimental data from previous studies, with a relative error less than 8%. This study shows the reliability of the CFD simulation in replicating the actual physical process.