Hole Cleaning Efficiency Calculator
Compute the annular velocity, cuttings transport velocity and hole cleaning efficiency from circulation rate, well geometry and cuttings slip velocity.
Description
Compute the annular velocity, cuttings transport velocity and hole cleaning efficiency from circulation rate, well geometry and cuttings slip velocity.
Hole Cleaning Efficiency Calculator: Compute the annular velocity, cuttings transport velocity and hole cleaning efficiency from circulation rate, well geometry and cuttings slip velocity.
When to use Hole Cleaning Efficiency
Use this geological calculation for a transparent first-pass interpretation of measured rock, soil, fluid, well, stratigraphic, isotopic, geophysical, or seismic data under an explicitly selected model.
- Mud flow rate
- Mud flow rate in cubic metres per second.
- Hole diameter
- Borehole (open-hole or casing ID) diameter in metres.
- Pipe OD
- Drill pipe outer diameter in metres.
- Slip velocity
- Cuttings slip velocity in metres per second.
How Hole Cleaning Efficiency works
Compute the annular velocity, cuttings transport velocity and hole cleaning efficiency from circulation rate, well geometry and cuttings slip velocity. The tool evaluates the supplied inputs together and returns the named outputs below; it does not infer omitted operating conditions or change the units shown.1
- Flow area
- Annular flow area between hole and pipe in square metres.
- Annular velocity
- Mud velocity up the annulus in metres per second.
- Transport velocity
- Cuttings transport velocity (annular minus slip velocity) in metres per second.
- Efficiency
- Transport ratio expressed as hole cleaning efficiency in percent.
Limitations and assumptions
- Geological models are scale-, site-, method-, and calibration-dependent. Heterogeneity, anisotropy, sampling, diagenesis, pressure-temperature history, instrument response, boundary conditions, and empirical-correlation range can dominate the result.
- Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.
Alternative or Complementary approaches
Compare independent measurements and models, retain units and analytical metadata, propagate uncertainty, and validate interpretations against logs, cores, maps, laboratory data, or field observations.
References
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Geology — Wikipedia contributors
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