Abstract: System and methods for cleaning debris or particulates from a wellbore using foam is provided, including predicting if a foam cleanout of a well is feasible by calculating foam properties at each of a number of segments in a well during a foam cleanout, comparing the foam properties to screening limits, providing an output to indicate if a foam cleanout is feasible. If feasible, the foam cleanout is performed.

Abstract: A method for conducting a wellbore operation includes drilling a wellbore through one or more hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formations with a drill bit arranged at an end of a drill string, wherein an annulus is defined between the drill string and an inner wall of the wellbore. A foam is generated with a foam generator of an annular injection system in communication with the annulus, and the foam is introduced into the annulus with the annular injection system.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing transport rate of particles of size Dm in a cuttings bed within an annulus of a wellbore during drilling operations. One method comprises estimating, with a computer, a current particle size distribution (PSD) of a particle bed including particles of size Dm within a measured depth (MD) range of the wellbore; calculating, with the computer, a target PSD of the MD range using a using a one-dimensional transient model incorporating a particle transport model; determining, with the computer, a pumping PSD to achieve the target PSD within the MD range; and adding the pumping PSD to a drilling fluid flowing within the annulus, thereby enhancing the transport rate of particles of size Dm within the MD range. The particle transport model may be a surface-based transport model.

Abstract: A method for conducting a wellbore operation includes drilling a wellbore through one or more hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formations with a drill bit arranged at an end of a drill string, wherein an annulus is defined between the drill string and an inner wall of the wellbore. A foam is generated with a foam generator of an annular injection system in communication with the annulus, and the foam is introduced into the annulus with the annular injection system.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing transport rate of particles of size Dm in a cuttings bed within an annulus of a wellbore during drilling operations. One method comprises estimating, with a computer, a current particle size distribution (PSD) of a particle bed including particles of size Dm within a measured depth (MD) range of the wellbore; calculating, with the computer, a target PSD of the MD range using a using a one-dimensional transient model incorporating a particle transport model; determining, with the computer, a pumping PSD to achieve the target PSD within the MD range; and adding the pumping PSD to a drilling fluid flowing within the annulus, thereby enhancing the transport rate of particles of size Dm within the MD range. The particle transport model may be a surface-based transport model.

Abstract: System and methods for cleaning debris or particulates from a wellbore using foam is provided, including predicting if a foam cleanout of a well is feasible by calculating foam properties at each of a number of segments in a well during a foam cleanout, comparing the foam properties to screening limits, providing an output to indicate if a foam cleanout is feasible. If feasible, the foam cleanout is performed.