MSc Petroleum Engineering

MEng Chemical Engineering

Drilling Engineering and Well Completion
CBE4015-N-CF1-2014
Academic year: 2014/15
AS-2 (December 2014)

Dr Sina R. Gomari

Submitted by,
Nithin Mankara Sadanandan
P4223558

Table of Content

1. Introduction..................................................................6
2. Functions of Drilling Fluids.............................................7
3. Types of Drilling Fluids..................................................8
3.1

Water Based Fluids (WBD)..........................................8

3.1.1

Non-dispersed System.............................................8

3.1.2

Dispersed System...................................................8

3.2

Oil Based Fluids.........................................................9

3.3

Synthetic Based Drilling Fluids...................................9

3.4 Pneumatic Drilling Fluids.............................................9

3.4.1 Foam Drilling............................................................9
3.4.2 Aerated Drilling........................................................9
4. Considerations for Selection of Drilling Fluids...............10
4.1 safety issues.............................................................10
4.2 Evaporite Zones.........................................................10
4.3 High Temperature and Pressure..................................10
4.4 Environmental Consideration......................................10
4.5 Severe Loss Zones.....................................................10
4.6 Shale Problems..........................................................10
4.7 Economics.................................................................11
5. Well Control................................................................11
5.1 Impact of Drilling Fluid on Well Control.......................11
5.1.1 Mud Weight............................................................11
5.1.2 Improper Hole Fill-Up During Trips...........................11
5.1.3 Swabbing...............................................................11
5.1.4 Cut Mud.................................................................12
5.1.5 Compressibility of Oil Based Mud.............................12
6. Conclusion..................................................................12

List of figures
1: Mud cake layer formed on the permeable formations.5

1. Introduction
The fluids used for drilling borehole into the earth are known as drilling fluids.
They are used for drilling oil and natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs.
The prime function of drilling fluid is to provide the required hydrostatic pressure to
balance the formation pressure.
Many types of drilling fluids are available and different wells requires
different types of fluid to be used depending on factors such as availability, economy,
environmental factors etc. Selection of the proper drilling fluid is important to the
success of a drilling operation. In all situations the same fluid cannot be used and
hence different fluids have different application.
The drilling fluids also have a dramatic involvement in well control where the
fluid column hydrostatic pressure is used to maintain the formation pressure to avoid
the inflow of formation fluids into the well bore and if it is uncontrolled will result in
a blow-out.

2. Functions of Drilling Fluids

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A drilling fluid has several functions. It must satisfy many needs in their
ability to perform the following:

Cleaning the hole- Drilled solids or cuttings are removed from the bottom of

the hole and the well bore and they are released at the surface.
Cooling and lubrication of the bit and drill string- Deep formations can be
very hot and friction from rotating drilling components generates heat down

hole as well. The drilling fluid helps in reducing the temperature and wear.
Seals permeable formations- As mud moves up the hole it passes by
permeable formations, those that allow fluids to pass through. When the mud
is next to a permeable formation, the pressure forces the liquid part of the mud
to infiltrate into the pores of the formation. This leaves behind a thin layer of
solid layer known as mud cake, which plasters the sides of the hole and
prevents the walls from caving in.

Fig 1: Mud cake layer

formed on the permeable

formations.

Permit

sufficient

evaluation-

Down hole conditions

and

the

formation

information about the

formation being drilled can be obtained by examining the cuttings at the

surface of the mud.

Control formation pressure and maintain well bore stability- The column of
mud down hole creates a pressure called hydrostatic pressure, which balances
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the formation pressure. When the hydrostatic pressure is less than the
formation pressure, a kick occurs and formation fluids enter the wellbore. An

uncontrolled kick results in a blowout.

Helps to suspend cutting when pumping stops.
Hydraulic energy is transferred to tool and bit.
Controls corrosion- Corrosion controlling agents can be added to the drilling
fluid to control corrosion.

3. Types of Drilling Fluids

There are different types of drilling fluids characterized based on their
composition and use. The drilling fluids are selected based on their availability, cost,
performance and environmental impact.

3.1

Water Based Fluids (WBD)

Water based fluids are the most widely used drilling fluids. They are less

expensive than oil based and synthetic based drilling fluids. The base fluids used in
this type of drilling fluids may be fresh water, seawater, brine or saturated brine and
the other components being the inert phase (barite, sand), chemical phase and the
colloidal phase (clay) selected based on the anticipated well conditions. WBDs are
broadly classified into two main categories such as non-dispersed and dispersed
systems.

3.1.1 Non-dispersed System

These are simple gel and water system intended for top hole drilling.

3.1.2 Dispersed System

In dispersed system the mud is treated with chemical dispersants, which
de-flocculate the clay particles to allow improved rheology control in higher
density muds. Caustic soda is added to the system to maintain a pH level of
10.0 to 11.0. This system can be employed in areas with highly dispersive and
highly reactive shales and deep water drilling.

3.2

Oil Based Fluids

Oil is the liquid phase in oil-based fluids which are formulated with diesel,

low toxicity linear olefins or paraffin to fix numerous drilling problems such as:

Reaction of formation clays after exposure to water based fluids.

Increasing down hole temperature.
Contaminants.
Struck pipe.

Barite is used to increase density and bentonite is the primary viscosifier.

3.3

Synthetic Based Drilling Fluids

These fluids were developed to reduce the environmental impact of off shore

drilling process.

3.4 Pneumatic Drilling Fluids

To circulate cuttings out of the well bore, compressed air or gas can be used as
the drilling fluid. They are categorized as
1. Air or gas only.
2. Aerated fluid.
3. Foam.
Pneumatic drilling system uses large air compressors as a substitute to mud pumps.
Drilling with air can avoid formation damage and overcome sever lost circulation
problems and it allows the bit to drill very fast. However, the bit cannot drill through
formations containing large amount of water, the water might mixes with the cuttings
in air or gas and clogs up the hole.

3.4.1 Foam Drilling

If small amounts of water are present in the formations being drilled, special
equipment can inject a foaming agent into the air stream. The foam helps to
separate the cuttings and removes water from the hole.

3.4.2 Aerated Drilling

In some cases, aerated mud is used which like foam drilling helps to prevent
clogging of the well bore. It uses both mud and air pumped into the stand pipe
at the same time.

4. Considerations for Selection of Drilling

Fluids
A proper drilling fluid must be selected for successful drilling operation.
Numerous factors should be considered for the selection of drilling fluid, such as:

4.1 safety issues

The drilling fluid must be able to carry the mud weight needed to
control the well, and surge, circulation and swab pressure must not be excessive. Kick
situations can be avoided by employing proper drilling fluids.

4.2 Evaporite Zones

Huge evaporite zones tend to leach out excessively in water based
drilling fluids unless the fluids are pre-saturated with the evaporite before the zone is
drilled. A properly formulated oil mud is a good choice for any evaporite zone.

4.3 High Temperature and Pressure

At high temperatures gelation and fluid loss control problems occurs
for most water-based mud. Oil muds are viable at elevated temperature and pressure.

4.4 Environmental Consideration

Mud choices are limited due to the existence of several permits.
Environmental considerations are many and vary according to well location.

4.5 Severe Loss Zones

In these zones severe mud loss may occur and hence the mud type
should be simple and inexpensive.

4.6 Shale Problems

Shale formations can swell, disperse or slough into the hole. This
problem can be avoided by increasing the mud weight and dissolved salts reduce
shale swelling, long-chain water-soluble polymers reduce dispersion and asphaltic
materials reduce sloughing.

4.7 Economics
The economic considerations include the cost of the basic fluid,
makeup and maintenance costs, and mud related disposal costs and for oil muds, buyback provisions.

5. Well Control
Maintaining the fluid column hydrostatic pressure to balance the formation
pressure for preventing the influx of formation fluids to the surface is the basis of well
control. This phenomenon is called as kick. If the kick is not controlled it will result in
blowout. The hydrostatic pressure should always dominate the formation pressure.
However, the hydrostatic pressure should not be more than the fracture pressure of the
formations being drilled which would result in the collapse of the bore.

5.1 Impact of Drilling Fluid on Well Control

Various characteristics and properties of the drilling fluid have an important
role in well control.

5.1.1 Mud Weight

Varying the mud weight or density by adding additives like bentonite
can control the hydrostatic pressure inside the well. High mud weight is desirable for
controlling kick; however, this is not a solution, as the hydrostatic pressure should not
exceed the fracture pressure of the formation being drilled.

5.1.2 Improper Hole Fill-Up During Trips

When the drill pipe is pulled out of the hole, the mud weight decreases
as the pipe displaces the mud. Hence the hole should be periodically filled with mud
to avoid reducing hydrostatic pressure.

5.1.3 Swabbing
Pulling the drill string up creates swab pressure, which are negative
and hence reduce the effective hydrostatic pressure. Poor fluid properties such as high
viscosity and gel strength increase the chance for swabbing.

5.1.4 Cut Mud

Gas contaminated mud, which reduces the mud density caused by
fluids from the core volume being cut and released into the mud system.

5.1.5 Compressibility of Oil Based Mud

The oil-based muds are considerably more compressible than
water based mud and affects the well control in three main areas: pressure
stabilization, drill pipe pressure response to choke adjustments, and flow after the
pumps are stopped.

6. Conclusion
The drilling fluids serve many functions and very large number of available
mud types and the many drilling related factors makes drilling fluids a sophisticated
and important area. However, the drilling fluids are selected based on availability,
cost, performance and environmental impact. Drilling fluids also has an important
role in well control and its importance is expected to increase in the future, as the
wells are being deeper and deeper.

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