Fluid Flow Aspects of Hole Cleaning and Cuttings Transport in Well Drilling Responsible: prof. Rune W. Time An important problem in oil well drilling is optimal transportation of drilling cuttings out of the well. Substantial effort is put into minimal energy (driving pressure) solutions. Mud characteristics and pumping rates and drill string rotation are important input variables. A 9m long flow rig for liquid-particle (cuttings) transport is built at HiS as a part of ongoing PhD work. It is used for study of liquid – particle flow over settled cuttings bed in a “well”. We propose a MSc thesis related to measuring cuttings transport. Velocities will be measured using our “ultrasonic velocity profiler” (USV) instrument. This instrument measures the velocity profile along a line in pipe flow by “shooting” an ultrasonic beam in chosen directions. From the velocity profile it is possible to derive shear stresses and friction in the flow over the cuttings bed The work is mainly experimental but will include a literature survey may. Some computer work may also be required for data handling and analysis. The candidate will cooperate in a team involving superviser, PhD student (Benja) and postdoc Morten Hana. The project is part of an ongoing cooperation with Statoils drilling division. An important problem in oil well drilling is optimal transportation of drilling cuttings out of the well. Substantial effort is put into minimal energy (driving pressure) solutions. Mud characteristics and pumping rates and drill string rotation are important input variables. A 9m long flow rig for liquid-particle (cuttings) transport is built at HiS as a part of ongoing PhD work. It is used for study of liquid – particle flow over settled cuttings bed in a “well”. We propose a MSc thesis related to measuring cuttings transport. Velocities will be measured using our “ultrasonic velocity profiler” (USV) instrument. This instrument measures the velocity profile along a line in pipe flow by “shooting” an ultrasonic beam in chosen directions. From the velocity profile it is possible to derive shear stresses and friction in the flow over the cuttings bed The work is mainly experimental but will include a literature survey may. Some computer work may also be required for data handling and analysis. The candidate will cooperate in a team involving superviser, PhD student (Benja) and postdoc Morten Hana. The project is part of an ongoing cooperation with Statoils drilling division.

Ultrasonic measurement of gas-liquid flow in separators and process equipment This proposed MSc thesis is a continuation of a thesis work carried out spring 2003, initiated by Conoco-Phillips. It was investigated whether a hand-held ultrasonic device for material testing was sufficient for measuring liquid at the walls in gas-rich pipeline flow. The work gave very positive indications, but the instrument was too limited. In this work a more powerful and general ultrasonic instrument will be used compared to the one available in This will increase the range of application, sensitivity and accuracy considerably. The work will focus on how to measure liquid layers at the inlet of natural gas separators on platforms and process plants. Unexpected flow regimes may drastically decrease the separator efficiency and need to be monitored and controlled. A national programme called HiPGaS (High Pressure Gas Separation) is dedicated to separator research. The present activity is included in the programme. HiPGaS includes NTNU, UiB og HiS together with industry partners. Homepage: As a part of the thesis work a literature study related to ultrasonic techniqes for multiphase flow will be included. This proposed MSc thesis is a continuation of a thesis work carried out spring 2003, initiated by Conoco-Phillips. It was investigated whether a hand-held ultrasonic device for material testing was sufficient for measuring liquid at the walls in gas-rich pipeline flow. The work gave very positive indications, but the instrument was too limited. In this work a more powerful and general ultrasonic instrument will be used compared to the one available in This will increase the range of application, sensitivity and accuracy considerably. The work will focus on how to measure liquid layers at the inlet of natural gas separators on platforms and process plants. Unexpected flow regimes may drastically decrease the separator efficiency and need to be monitored and controlled. A national programme called HiPGaS (High Pressure Gas Separation) is dedicated to separator research. The present activity is included in the programme. HiPGaS includes NTNU, UiB og HiS together with industry partners. Homepage: As a part of the thesis work a literature study related to ultrasonic techniqes for multiphase flow will be included. Already appointed