A New Approach to Improve Cutting Transport in Horizontal and Inclined Wells using MR (Magneterheological) fluid

Nowadays, efficient hole cleaning has become one of the major challenges in the oil
and gas industry as measured depths and horizontal displacements has been increasing
drastically in the ERD (extended reach) wells. Insufficient cutting transport in inclined
and horizontal wells can lead to undesirable incidents that may cost drilling operators
millions of dollars. If these incidents are not handled properly, they can ultimately lead
to loss of the well. An investigation by Amoco showed that 70 % of lost time, due to
unscheduled events was associated with the sticking of the drilling string in the deviated
wells [1]. A case study by Hopkins showed that one third of all stuck pipe problems are
due to insufficient wellbore cleaning [3]. A single stuck pipe problem may cost over one
billion dollars depending on the situation. Bradley et al. reported that stuck pipe costs for
the oil and gas industry were in the range of 100 to 500 million US dollars per year [3].