Volume of Cutting (drilling)

The Volume of Cutting (drilling) calculator compute volume rate of drilling effluence based on the diameter of the drill, rate of penetration and the porosity.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (θ) Formation porosity %
• (D) Bore Diameter
• (RoP) Rate of Penetration

Cutting Volume (V_c): The calculator returns the volume rate in gallons per minute.  However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.

The Math / Science

The Volume of Cutting (drilling) equation computes the volume rate of cutting (V_c) generated when drilling into the well bore.   The formula for volume of cutting (drilling) is:

   `V_c = (1-theta)*pi*(D/2)^2*ROP`

Where:

• V_c = Volume rate of material removed in the cutting
• `theta` = formation porosity (%).
• D = well / bore hole diameter
• RoP = rate of penetration.

The process of drilling removes a volume of material that is pulverized by the drilling process.  For this reason, the porosity is a factor.  The material retrieved from the well is reduced by a factor of porosity.