document

Paper Number	52-083
Title	The Effect of Pump Horsepower on the Rate of Penetration
Authors	Earle C. Hellums, Cron and Gracey Corporation
Source	Drilling and Production Practice, 1952
Copyright	1952. American Petroleum Institute
Language	English
Preview	ABSTRACT This paper presents data concerning the efficient use of the horsepower available for mud circulation. It is indicated that in the drilling of soft and medium formations the rate of penetration of the bit is approximately proportional to the hydraulic horsepower applied, the maximum being obtained when all the horsepower available above that required for an adequate annular return velocity is utilized to increase the energy of the bit-fluid jet stream. There is possibly an upper limit in the amount of the jet-stream energy needed to obtain maximum drilling rates in medium-hard to hard formations. INTRODUCTION In past years, and on a large number of rigs today, the output horsepower of the mud pump has been utilized in most instances to circulate the maximum volume possible, as experience had indicated that this was probably the best application. However, in 1948 information was published. 1,2that indicated the drilling rate was not only proportional to the circulating rate, but was also proportional to the bit nozzle fluid velocity. It was also stated that it was probably best to increase the nozzle fluid velocity to obtain an increase in drilling rate, as this would require less horsepower than would increasing the volume circulated. Bits were developed for the application of this principle, and a relatively large number of wells have been drilled in different areas during the past 3 1/2 years where the horsepower available for mud circulation was efficiently applied. It is the purpose of this paper to evaluate the results obtained by the efficient application of available pump horsepower. The conclusions and recommendations presented are based on data obtained from representative wells drilled in Southwest Texas, Texas upper and lower Gulf Coast, East Texas, Louisiana Gulf Coast, Mississippi, North Louisiana, and South Arkansas. The formations that were drilled ranged from soft sand and shales to medium-hard sandstones, shales, and limestones. DISCUSSION The hydraulic horsepower requirement of a mud pump depends upon the volume being circulated and the pressure required to circulate such volume. The pressure required i s the result of four principal elements in the rig circulating system, viz.: Friction losses through the inside of the drill pipe and drill collars. Friction losses in the annulus between the well bore.and the outside of the drill string. Friction losses through the surface connections, including the mud lines, standpipe, hose, swivel, kelly, etc. Pressure drop across the bit nozzles. The friction losses through the inside of the drill string increase rapidly as the volume circulated i s increased, which makes this factor of prime importance in determining how the available pump horsepower will be utilized. The following example will illustrate the effect of increased volume on the friction losses in the drill pipe and also on the hydraulic horsepower required:
Number of Pages	11
File Size	438 KB
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