Analysis of Horizontal Wellbore Temperature Distribution Considering Hydraulic Power, Rotational Power and Bit Power in Drilling

High wellbore temperatures encountered during the drilling of horizontal sections can markedly affect the safety and efficiency of drilling operations. This study extends existing temperature prediction models by considering hydraulic power, rotational power, and bit power into the analysis. The paper also provides an analytical solution for the temperature distribution model of horizontal wellbores. The reliability of the model was confirmed through validation against field data from deep shale gas horizontal wells in the Southwest oil and gas fields, showing greater efficacy in analyzing wellbore temperature variations than the Hasan and Kabir model. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of various parameters on the temperature distribution within the wellbore annulus. The parameters under consideration included rotational speed, drilling fluid flow rate, density, circulating time, inlet temperature, length of the horizontal section, geothermal gradient, and the dimensions of the borehole and drill pipe. The analysis indicated that the influence of circulating time on bottom-hole temperature is limited, with diminishing effectiveness beyond a certain threshold. In contrast, the inlet temperature was identified as a significant factor affecting both bottom-hole and exit temperatures. Effective management of bottom-hole temperature can be achieved by reducing the rotational speed, which in turn lowers the rotational power and the associated heat generation from bit power. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing drilling operations by highlighting the key factors that contribute to wellbore temperature control.