Practical Wellbore Hydraulics and Hole Cleaning

Mark S. Ramsey, P.E. is the Principal and Owner of Texas Drilling Associates. His consulting engineering company provides well planning, rig team training, execution, accident investigations, research, and product development and product launch services. He authors and teaches both introductory and advanced public and proprietary drilling courses on six continents, including a Master of Science level drilling course. He also teaches professional engineering Ethics. Clients include ExxonMobil, Apache, BP/Amoco (including Wytch Farm, UK, Americas, Caspian Sea, North Sea, Columbia), Petrobras, Baker-Hughes, Amoco, Cabot, Schlumberger, Mariner Energy, Transocean Drilling, Santos, Noble Drilling, JNOC, CNOC, Devon, Deep Gulf Energy (Kosmos), Freeport McMoRan, BHP, Texas A&M(GPRI), Ecopetrol, and others on worldwide projects. He authored Schlumberger’s drilling portion of their highly utilized online glossary. Mr. Ramsey previously worked for Exxon (now ExxonMobil) in both drilling research and drilling operations and was named an Exxon “Distinguished Instructor” for consistent high-quality instruction. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University, who honored him as “Distinguished Engineer” in 2016. He holds numerous US and international patents and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas.

1. Introduction2. Bit Hydraulics3. Hole Cleaning4. Effects on Drilling Efficiency and Rate of Penetration5. Pressure Drop Calculations6. Rheology, Viscosity and Fluid Types7. Downhole Properties8. Pumps