Fuzzy logic modelling of liquid-solid two-phase flow in horizontal and inclined wellbores

Abstract

In this study, liquid-solid two-phase flow in horizontal and inclined wellbores is modelled using fuzzy logic approach. Cuttings transport experiments were conducted at flow loop using water as a drilling fluid. Cuttings bed thickness inside annulus was recorded during experiments for various flow rate, hole inclination, inner pipe rotation speed and the rate of penetrations (ROP). Cuttings bed thickness is estimated using a fuzzy logic (FL) model. Experimental data was collected from cuttings transport experiments in order to train proposed models. Results showed that the cuttings bed thickness could be estimated using the developed model with a reasonable accuracy when compared with the experimental results. Also, the thickness of the stationary bed can be detected within an error range of ±6.8, more accurately than the widely used models available in the literature. The method in the present study may handle the challenges on the field within a reasonable time and budget due to its ease to describe the variables and gather the necessary information for solving the problems on the field sufficiently. [Received: August 22, 2015; Accepted: January 28, 2017]