Rock Cutting Analysis Employing Finite and Discrete Element Methods
Carla Massignani Carrapatoso1; Carlos Emmanuel Ribeiro Lautenschläger1; Guilherme Lima Righetto1; Sergio Augusto Barreto da Fontoura1; Nelson Inoue1
1 ATHENA - Computational Geomechanics Group / GTEP - Group of Technology in Petroleum Engineering / PU
doi:10.20906/CPS/CILAMCE2015-0895
Resumo
The petroleum industry has shown great interest in study drilling optimization on pre-salt formations given the low rates of penetration observed so far. Rate of penetration is key to economically drill the pre-salt carbonate rock. This work presents the results of numerical modeling through finite element method and discrete element method for single cutter drilling in carbonate samples. The work is relevant to understand the mechanics of drill bit - rock interaction while drilling deep wells and the results were validated with experimental data raised under simulated downhole conditions. The numerical models were carried out under different geometrical configurations, varying the cutter chamfer size and back-rake angles. The forces generated on the cutter are translated into mechanical specific energy as this parameter is often used to measure drilling efficiency. Results indicate that the chamfer size does not change significantly the mechanical specific energy values, although the cutter aggressiveness is influenced by this geometrical characteristic. Results also show there is a significant increase in drilling resistance for larger values of back-rake angle.
Palavras-chave: Rock mechanics