Reverse circulation operation is widely used in the development of geothermal and oil-gas resources. Its operational performance is significantly affected by the temperature distribution of the wellbore and the formation. To clarify the influence mechanism of temperature distribution on resource development during reverse circulation, a numerical model was established for wellbore temperature distribution. The convective heat transfer between the working fluid and the surrounding medium was considered in the model. The influence of wellbore structure on temperature distribution was also considered. Example calculations were conducted to obtain the temperature distribution characteristics during reverse circulation operation. The temperature distribution patterns between reverse circulation and forward circulation were compared. The results show that the heat transfer efficiency between the working fluid and the formation is increased by 19% in reverse circulation compared with forward circulation. The disturbance distance in the formation is reduced by 0.3 m. The average thermal stress near the wellbore is significantly reduced. It is indicated that reverse circulation operation is of great significance for improving operational safety and enhancing the efficiency of geothermal resource development.
ZHANG Zheng, YU Xian-zhi, DU Jian-bo, SHEN Jian-hua, XIANG Hua-feng, LI Qing-wei, GUAN Hong-rui.
Heat Transfer Mechanism between Reverse Circulation Wellbore Working Fluid and Formation[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(16): 6818-6828 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2504037
$ \begin{array}{c}\frac{\partial(\rho c T)}{\partial t}+\frac{\partial}{\partial x}(\rho c u T)+\frac{\partial}{\partial y}(\rho c v T)= \\\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\left(\lambda \frac{\partial T}{\partial x}\right)+\frac{\partial}{\partial y}\left(\lambda \frac{\partial T}{\partial y}\right)+S\end{array}$
$\begin{array}{c}\rho_{\mathrm{P}} c_{\mathrm{P}}\left(T_{\mathrm{P}}-T_{\mathrm{P} 0}\right) \frac{\Delta V}{\Delta t}+\left[(\rho v c T A)_{\mathrm{n}}-(\rho v c T A)_{\mathrm{s}}\right]= \\\left(\lambda A \frac{\partial T}{\partial x}\right)_{\mathrm{e}}-\left(\lambda A \frac{\partial T}{\partial x}\right)_{\mathrm{w}}+\left(\lambda A \frac{\partial T}{\partial y}\right)_{\mathrm{n}}- \\\left(\lambda A \frac{\partial T}{\partial y}\right)_{\mathrm{s}}+\bar{F} \Delta V\end{array}$
ChengHua, GuoLonghui, YaoZhishu, et al. Experimental study on the multiphase slag transport law and optimization of well flushing parameters in gas lift reverse circulation drilling method[J]. Journal of China University of Mining and Technology, 2024, 53(2): 224-237.
[3]
CaoP L, CuiG Q, QiB, et al. Investigation on the cuttings carrying capacity of a novel retractable drill bit used in casing while drilling with air reverse circulation[J]. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2022, 219: 111079.
YangYaochun, ZhangGuodong, YinLiangrui, et al. A reverse circulation well flushing device for pressurized workover operations[J]. Natural Gas Industry, 2023, 43(1): 22.
ZhangZheng, ZhaoYu, WangGuorong, et al. Influence of leakage on wellbore temperature distribution during geothermal well drilling[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2024, 24(23): 9819-9826
ZhangZheng, YuanJianpeng, MaLi, et al. Influence of thermal physical properties of drilling fluid on wellbore temperature and pressureduring geothermal well drilling[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2025, 25(7): 2767-2775.
[12]
DongS, ZengC, AriaratnamS T, et al. Experimental and performance analysis of reverse circulation reaming in horizontal directional drilling[J]. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2020, 95: 103128.
LiuXuequan. Research on corrosion rules of air injection wellbore pipes in Honghe Oilfield[J]. Petrochemical Corrosion and Protection, 2021, 38(4): 8-11.
ZhangQing. Analysis of the influence of mud properties on drilling bottom hole pressure and cuttings migration[J]. Frontiers of Earth Science (Hans), 2023, 13(7): 780-787.
ZhuLihong, HuangYong, YinKun, et al. Nonlinear temperature model for reverse circulation gas drilling[J]. Journal of Jilin University (Earth Science Edition), 2011, 41(S1): 227-231.
WangKaipeng, LeiYanzi, GouLi, et al. Optimization design on enhanced heat transfer of medium-deep coaxial casing heat exchanger[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2025, 25(25): 10870-10880.
WangLei, HuZhiqiang. Prediction of temperature field during horizontal drilling of natural gas hydrate in the sea area[J]. Science and Technology and Engineering, 2022, 22(7): 2664-2668.
[25]
ZhangZ, WeiY, XiongY, et al. Influence of the location of drilling fluid loss on wellbore temperature distribution during drilling[J]. Energy, 2022, 244: 123031.
LinRiyi, YuChenghao, YangHenglin, et al. Simulation calculation and analysis of drilling fluid circulation temperature field in ultra deep horizontal wells[J]. Petroleum and Natural Gas Chemical, 2022, 51(3): 91-97.
WuPengcheng, ZhongChengxu, YanJuntao, et al. Transient heat transfer model between wellbore and formation during drilling of deep shale gas horizontal wells[J]. Petroleum Drilling and Production Technology, 2022, 44(1): 1-8.
[30]
ZhangZ, YangS, WangG, et al. Influence of inlet mud temperature on bottom hole mud temperature during horizontal well drilling[J]. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 2023, 145(6): 062901.
YangHongwei, LiJun, LiuGonghui, et al. Temperature field of deepwater multigradient drilling wellbore[J]. Journal of China University of Petroleum (Natural Science Edition), 2020, 44(5): 62-69.
[33]
张政. 钻井过程中复杂工况下的井筒温度分布研究[D]. 成都: 西南石油大学, 2019.
[34]
ZhangZheng. Research on wellbore temperature distribution under complex working conditions during drilling[D]. Chengdu: Southwest Petroleum University, 2019.
[35]
KabirC S, HasanA R, KoubaG E, et al. Determining circulating fluid temperature in drilling, workover, and well control operations[J]. SPE Drilling & Completion, 1996, 11(2): 74-79.
ZhouZhihong, ZengHua. Calculation of reverse circulation temperature in formation testing[J]. Journal of Petroleum and Natural Gas, 2009, 31(1): 115-117, 393-394.
ZhangLigang, TanJiaxing, TaoZejun, et al. Numerical simulation of temperature field in reverse circulation hot washing rod pump wells[J]. Journal of Northeast Petroleum University, 2020, 44(5): 82-88, 9-10.
LiHao, SunBaojiang, MaYongqian, et al. Calculation and analysis of temperature field in reverse circulation well wellbore[J]. Journal of Higher School of Petrochemical Engineering, 2009, 22(3): 66-70.
WangJiangshuai, FuPan, HuXuhui, et al. Study on the temperature distribution law of marine double layer pipe dual gradient drilling well borehole[J]. Petroleum Machinery, 2022, 50(12): 51-57.
WangJiangshuai, RenQianyu, DengSong, et al. Temperature distribution of shale oil drilling annulus fluid based on wellbore formation displacement effect[J]. Journal of China University of Petroleum (Natural Science Edition), 2024, 48(3): 84-90.
[46]
杨谋. 控温钻井技术基础理论研究[D]. 成都: 西南石油大学, 2012.
[47]
YangMou. Basic theory study of managed temperature drilling technology[D]. Chengdu: Southwest Petroleum University, 2012.