Fluid-Flow Phenomenon in CT Using CFD (2005)

Fluid-Flow Phenomenon in CT Using CFD Randy S. Rosine; Randy S. Rosine Halliburton Energy Services Group Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Michael Brent Bailey; Michael Brent Bailey Halliburton Energy Services Group Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Ivan Blanco Ivan Blanco Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and Exhibition, The Woodlands, Texas, April 2005. Paper Number: SPE-94057-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/94057-MS Published: April 12 2005 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Rosine, Randy S., Bailey, Michael Brent, and Ivan Blanco. "Fluid-Flow Phenomenon in CT Using CFD." Paper presented at the SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing Conference and Exhibition, The Woodlands, Texas, April 2005. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/94057-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE/ICoTA Well Intervention Conference and Exhibition Search Advanced Search AbstractCoiled tubing (CT) is widely used in well intervention as a practical and cost-effective means of servicing wells. Over the years, the actual flow through CT has been a point of discussion and theory. Testing has been conducted to promote a better understanding of what happens inside the CT. In recent years, the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software has provided greater insight into actual CT flow patterns, including fluid-flow velocity profiles and secondary flow regimes. These flow patterns can be studied in a straight pipe or curved (CT) condition with variable flow rates and variable fluids. CFD could help us understand the phenomenon of erosion, including particle path and migration through the tubing. It might also lead to a greater understanding and efficient design of friction pressure gradients. After CFD is proven and established, an alternative to full-scale testing or other predictive methods may be possible.This paper discusses the flow phenomenon of CT using CFD, particularly over the tubing guide. This is an area of concern because the tubing configuration changes from straight to bent to straight again. Details of fluid flow for both the straight and curved sections have been examined to evaluate flow-velocity profiles and flow patterns. Fluids investigated have included water, gel, and slurry.IntroductionCT has long been used in the oil and gas industry to serve as an effective means for servicing wells. It is a faster and more cost-efficient process than conventional rig servicing. The application for CT varies widely and includes drilling, cementing, cleaning sand from a wellbore, fracturing, acidizing, scale removal, placement of tools, logging, fishing, and chemical placement.1–5 Many operators are attracted to CT processes because of its rapid deployment. The CT itself must be managed for life, safety, job design, and flow characteristics. Part of this management is understanding the events that occur inside the CT.For many years, flow through CT has only been a matter of discussion and theory. Some of the discussion has been related to whether flow through CT has the same characteristics as flow through standard tubing. Other discussions involve whether centrifugal forces play a part in the coiled or wrapped sections of the tubing. If centrifugal forces are involved, how do the secondary flow regimes effect the total flow? Mysteries have persisted until recently because many theories were hard to either prove or disprove. Theories can also change based on the fluid being used. For example, Newtonian fluids may act differently than non-Newtonian fluids, and the addition of sand or proppant can also affect results.Taking advantage of technologies used in other industries (such as CFD) can provide tools to help us understand fluid flow characteristics in CT. The better understanding of fluid flow through CT can lead to better job management, better job design, and more efficient use of CT and pumping equipment. This paper will describe some of the secrets to proper flow analysis, which can depend in large part on the way the software parameters are loaded and applied.CFD SoftwareThe use of CFD software has grown to become a large part of fluid dynamics investigation. In recent years, the use of CFD software in the oil and gas industry has steadily increased. This technology has allowed the modeling of complex physical fluid phenomena that in the past were extremely difficult to simulate or measure. The CFD software is a much more cost-effective means to investigate fluid systems and also provides more rapid results. When established, CFD software helps enable us to predict what will happen when single or multiple parameters change.For this study, FLUENT CFD software was used to study the flow characteristics of various fluids. These fluids included water modeled as a Newtonian fluid, gel modeled as a non-Newtonian fluid, and a sand-laden gel modeled as a non-Newtonian slurry. The geometry modeling was performed in 3-D solid-model format using SolidWorks software. The fluid domain of the CT geometry was exported in ACIS format from SolidWorks software to GAMBIT software. GAMBIT software is the preprocessor to FLUENT software where geometry is created, meshing is performed, and boundary conditions are established. Keywords: erosion, spe 94057, software, arc, production logging, correlation, reservoir surveillance, production monitoring, flow pattern, full-scale testing Subjects: Hydraulic Fracturing, Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Information Management and Systems, Production logging This content is only available via PDF. 2005. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.