Wellbore Strengthening In Sandstones by Means of Nanoparticle-Based Drilling Fluids

Author(s):  
Oscar Contreras ◽  
Geir Hareland ◽  
Maen Husein ◽  
Runar Nygaard ◽  
Mortadha Alsaba
Geofluids ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biao Ma ◽  
Xiaolin Pu ◽  
Zhengguo Zhao ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
Wenxin Dong

The lost circulation in a formation is one of the most complicated problems that have existed in drilling engineering for a long time. The key to solving the loss of drilling fluid circulation is to improve the pressure-bearing capacity of the formation. The tendency is to improve the formation pressure-bearing capacity with drilling fluid technology for strengthening the wellbore, either to the low fracture pressure of the formation or to that of the naturally fractured formation. Therefore, a laboratory study focused on core fracturing simulations for the strengthening of wellbores was conducted with self-developed fracture experiment equipment. Experiments were performed to determine the effect of the gradation of plugging materials, kinds of plugging materials, and drilling fluid systems. The results showed that fracture pressure in the presence of drilling fluid was significantly higher than that in the presence of water. The kinds and gradation of drilling fluids had obvious effects on the core fracturing process. In addition, different drilling fluid systems had different effects on the core fracture process. In the same case, the core fracture pressure in the presence of oil-based drilling fluid was less than that in the presence of water-based drilling fluid.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waleepon Sukarasep ◽  
Rahul Sukanta Dey ◽  
Visarut Phonpuntin

Abstract Sodium Silicate were first used in water-based drilling fluids to stabilize claystone formations in the 1930's, but found favour in the 1990's in high performance, non dispersed water based systems for drilling problematic claystone formations as an alternative to oil-based drilling fluids. In Bongkot South field, Gulf of Thailand, sodium silicate-based drilling fluid (SSBDF) were used with mixed success in shallow gas drilling. Typically, platform WP-33, the claystone formation of the 12¼" section were drilled with 5% v/v Sodium Silicate in the water based drilling fluid together with excessive circulation as intention to improve hole cleaning frequently result in a wellbore that was overgauge by upto 18.9% in some case. This led to further hole cleaning problem that also compromised cement job quality. A further 6 well campaign on WPS-16 required a re-evaulation of the SSBDF coupled to an understanding of the wellbore instability mechanisms that leads to hole enlargement. To overcome better wellbore stability, sodium silicate has been designed by increased concentration to 8% v/v sodium silicate treated drilling fluid showed optimal design for application base on application of SSBDF has been used on platform WP-11 in 2002. Rheology, hydraulic and flow regime was adjusted for laminar flow that reduced the erosion of fragile claystone formation in the wellbore. The revised SSBDF formulation at WPS-16 result in a significant reduction of hole enlargement to 3.2% in the claystone section through a combination of chemicals and mechanical inhibition that contribute improved hole cleaning. The addition of wellbore strengthening material also provide an effective seal to minimize gas invasion. This paper describes the field trials in the Gulf of Thailand drilled with revised sodium sodium silicate based drilling fluid, the use of wellbore strengthening materials to manage gas influxes, better drilling practice and hydraclic simulation concluded that high performance water based drilling fluid of this nature have wider application where oil-base drilling fluid have traditionally been used.


2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Contreras ◽  
Mortadha Alsaba ◽  
Geir Hareland ◽  
Maen Husein ◽  
Runar Nygaard

This paper presents a comprehensive experimental evaluation to investigate the effects of adding iron-based and calcium-based nanoparticles (NPs) to nonaqueous drilling fluids (NAFs) as a fluid loss additive and for wellbore strengthening applications in permeable formations. API standard high-pressure-high-temperature (HPHT) filter press in conjunction with ceramic disks is used to quantify fluid loss reduction. Hydraulic fracturing experiments are carried out to measure fracturing and re-opening pressures. A significant enhancement in both filtration and strengthening was achieved by means of in situ prepared NPs. Our results demonstrate that filtration reduction is essential for successful wellbore strengthening; however, excessive reduction could affect the strengthening negatively.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Shamlooh ◽  
Ahmed Hamza ◽  
Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein ◽  
Mustafa S. Nasser ◽  
Saeed Salehi

Abstract Lost circulation is one of the most common problems in the drilling of oil and gas wells where mud escapes through natural or induced fractures. Lost circulation can have severe consequences from increasing the operational cost to compromising the stability of wells. Recently, polymeric formulations have been introduced for wellbore strengthening purposes where it can serve as Loss Circulation Materials (LCMs) simultaneously. Polymeric LCMs have the potential to be mixed with drilling fluids during the operation without stopping to avoid non-productive time. In this study, the significance of most common conventional mud additives and their impact on the gelation performance of Polyacrylamide (PAM) / Polyethyleneimine (PEI) has been investigated. Drilling fluid with typical additives has been designed with a weight of 9.6 ppg. Additives including bentonite, barite, CarboxyMethylCellulose (CMC), lignite, caustic soda, desco, and calcium carbonate has been studied individually and combined. Each additive is mixed with the polymeric formulation (PAM 9% PEI 1%) with different ratios, then kept at 130°C for 24 hrs. Rheological performance of the mature gel has been tested using parallel plate geometry, Oscillatory tests have been used to assess the storage Modulus and loss modulus. Moreover, the gelation profile has been tested at 500 psi with a ramped temperature to mimic the reservoir conditions to obtain the gelation time. The gelation time of the polymer-based mud was controllable by the addition of a salt retarder (Ammonium Chloride), where a gelation time of more than 2 hours could be achieved at 130°C. Laboratory observations revealed that bentonite and CMC have the most effect as they both assist in producing stronger gel. While bentonite acts as a strengthening material, CMC increases the crosslinking network. Bentonite has successfully increased the gel strength by 15% providing a storage modulus of up to 1150 Pa without affecting the gelation time. This work helps in better understanding the process of using polymeric formulations in drilling activities. It provides insights to integrate gelling systems that are conventionally used for water shut-off during the drilling operation to replace the conventional loss circulation materials to provide a higher success rate.


2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Aston ◽  
M.W. Alberty ◽  
M.R. McLean ◽  
H.J. de Jong ◽  
K. Armagost

Author(s):  
Mingzheng Yang ◽  
Yuanhang Chen ◽  
Frederick B. Growcock

Abstract Wellbore strengthening (WBS) has proven to be an effective method for expanding the pressure windows of drilling operations. Recent research on WBS disclosed the critical role of filtercake in sealing microfractures during the initial stages of fracture initiation and propagation. In this study, a new parameter — “filtercake rupture resistance” — is proposed to simplify the quantitation of the filtercake’s potential to withstand pressure over a small fracture. A modified permeability plugging apparatus (PPA) was used to experimentally simulate the processes of filtercake rupture over a fracture on the wellbore wall and fracture sealing. The effects of filtercake thickness (permeability), filtercake yield strength in shear, and concentration of bentonite and a fine fibrous LCM on filtercake rupture resistance were investigated, along with the effects of these parameters on the effectiveness of filtercake in reducing fracture sealing time. Pressure spikes and fluctuations were observed when applying differential pressure across the filtercakes after formation of the cake. Filtercake of lower permeability and higher shear yield strength produce greater filtercake rupture resistance and shorter fracture sealing time. These results can be used to guide drilling fluids design for improved control of fluid loss.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Contreras ◽  
Geir Hareland ◽  
Maen Husein ◽  
Runar Nygaard ◽  
Mortadha T Al-saba

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