A Study on a Dynamic Model and Calculation Method of Wellbore Temperature in Ultra-Deep Wells

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Authors: Jianguo Zhao, Han Zhang, Yang Wang, X. Q. Liu, Pingan Wang
Cited by: 1
References: 17

Abstract

With growing global energy demand, deep and ultra-deep wells have become a focal point in oil and gas development. Wellbore temperature variations significantly impact drilling and completion operations in such wells. To analyze the temperature distribution in ultra-deep wellbores, a numerical model based on the Gauss–Seidel iterative algorithm was developed. This model explicitly accounts for the convective heat transfer coefficient and the distinct thermophysical properties of drilling fluids in both the drill string and the annulus. By employing adaptive meshing, it significantly enhances computational efficiency while ensuring accuracy. This study investigated the influence of key parameters—including drilling fluid density, specific heat capacity, drill pipe thermal conductivity, and formation properties—on bottom-hole temperature. The results show that the average deviation between the actual wellbore temperature and the model-predicted temperature is 0.5%. The heat transfer dynamics model for ultra-deep wells is validated by the close agreement between theoretical predictions and field data. This study offers a valuable theoretical basis for wellbore temperature management and the control of drilling fluid cooling systems, supporting safer and more efficient development of ultra-deep resources.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Drilling and Well Engineering Geothermal Energy Systems and Applications Hydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Analysis

Publication details

Journal / source
Energies
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
19
Issue
2
Pages
319–319
Publication date
8 January 2026
Language
EN