SPE 165335

A Novel Mud Formulation for Drilling Operations in the Permafrost

Ahmed H. Kamel, University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Copyright 2013, Society of Petroleum Engineers
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Western Regional & AAPG Pacific Section Meeting, 2013 Joint Technical Conference held in Monterey, California, USA, 1925 April 2013.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
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reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
Umiat field is located in the North Slope, Alaska where most oil reserves are within the permafrost. The formation
temperature is around 20F and thus frozen filtrate is a crucial issue in formation damage. Frozen filtrate can form an
impermeable barrier to oil flow and maximize formation damage in the permafrost. Its impact is even more pronounced in
horizontal wells. In addition to formation damage concerns, low formation pressure, sensitive arctic environment and ice
disintegration when exposed to certain fluids are key factors to be considered when selecting the suitable drilling fluid.
This paper is a comprehensive experimental investigation of various drilling fluids to eventually propose a non-damaging
fluid system that is suitable for permafrost drilling operations. Specially formulated, free-solid mud systems including WBM,
brine mud, native crude OBM, synthetic oil mud, emulsion and foam are evaluated. The evaluation includes their rheological
properties, filtration properties, clay swelling properties and potential freezing of fluid filtrate.
The results show that WBM drastically damage the formation. Yet, clay swelling is not a major issue. Freezing of water
filtrate is the key damaging mechanism. In spite of its large filtrate volume, brine mud shows a moderate impact on formation
damage. Its depressed freezing point makes it suitable for the drilling operations. However, it may not be preferable due to its
ice disintegration effects. OBM and synthetic oil mud yield the minimal damage and show excellent rheological and filtration
properties. Their depressed freezing point favors their use. Foams and emulsions exhibit numerous advantages. The analysis
and evaluation of the different fluid systems is discussed in more details in the present paper. Finally, a specific formulation
of drilling fluid is recommended to alleviate the formation damage and production impairment problems and to effectively
reduce the well completion cost and eventually, to increase well productivity from such shallow frozen oil field.
Introduction
The Umiat field of the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska (NPRA) is light oil in a shallow, frozen reservoir in the Brooks
Range foothills of Northern Alaska. It was discovered during the initial exploration of Northern Alaska in the 1940s and
50s (Collins, 1958). The initial estimates of the primary recoverable reserves in the Umiat field ranged from 30 to over 100
million bbl, with an average of about 70 million bbl. The reservoir is at very shallow depths (275-1,100 ft), with most of the
reservoir is within the permafrost. It is a relatively small field and far from any transportation infrastructure. Moreover, the
reservoir pressures are very low, with small quantities of solution gas. The reservoir pressure ranges from 50 to 350 psi
depending on depth and gas dissolved. The reservoir temperature is about 20F at a depth of 100 ft and it gradually increases
until the bottom of the permafrost is reached (Baptist, 1960). These factors along with the lack of a drilling technology to
economically extract such shallow and frozen oil have precluded Umiat development.
Umiat lies within Nanushuk formation which is divided into 4 informal units: the Chandler sand, Upper Grandstand sand,
Shale barrier and Lower Grandstand sands. The main oil producing zones are two marine sandstone beds (upper and lower
sands) in the grandstand formation (Hanks et al, 2011). The crude oil is of a good quality; it has an API of 37 and not
biodegraded, despite being at very shallow depths. The pour point is -5 F, sulfur of less than 0.1% with no H2S (Gates,
1960).
In addition to the oil quality, recent advances in the understanding of Northern Alaska geology and in drilling technology
have led to a renewed industry interest in Umiat and similar fields and attracted more exploration and production efforts. The
current revised industry estimates indicate that the oil in place at Umiat may be as high as 1 Bbbl (Hanks et al, 2011).
Horizontal drilling techniques have opened the possibility of economically developing such a shallow reservoir. However,
drilling through low pressure and low temperature reservoirs in the permafrost poses some difficulties that may drastically
alter the reservoir rock properties. These difficulties may include hole enlargement and instability, poor cementing jobs,

SPE 165335

washouts, caving of frozen soils, fill on the bottom, stuck pipe, and poor cement jobs (Kutasov and Caruthers, 1988). More
importantly, permeability in the area near the wellbore may be severely reduced by a direct contact between
drilling/completion fluids and bare formation, it is more pronounced in drilling long horizontal sections. Even more, new
sedimentologic and structural studies have indicated that Umiat field has a complex permeability that will impact both the
placement of horizontal wells and subsequent reservoir performance and production operations (Hanks et al, 2011).
In Umiat field, 11 wells were drilled between 1944 and 1953 to test oil and gas possibilities. Six of these wells produced oil
in varying quantities with the highest of 400 B/D. The first three wells were drilled with conventional rotary drilling methods
using water base mud to full size (7-in.). Wells 1 and 2 were abandoned as dry holes while well 3 produced oil at a rate of
24 B/D. Later, 8 wells were drilled either with cable tools using brine or rotary tools. Wells 4, 6, 8 and 10 were drilled with
cable tool and brine to minimize the harmful effects of muds. These wells produced at a rate of 70 B/D. Well 7 produced
about 1.0 B/D. Well 5 was drilled with cable tool and brine and then was reamed with rotary tool. The production rate was
about 400 B/D and sustained for 93 day. Well 11 was drilled with rotary tool and oil-in-water emulsion mud and abandoned
as a dry hole. However, it was on the downthrown side of a fault. The initial production data is shown in Fig. 1. However,
consideration should be given to the natural formation variation between the different well locations. The clay WBM used in
drilling the first three wells had a density of about 75 - 85 lb/ft3 and a viscosity of 40 seconds. The API filtrate was about 2 6 ml/30 min. The OBD used had an API viscosity of about 75 seconds, a weight of about 75 lb/ft3 and API filtrate of about 0
- 20 ml/30 min (Baptist, 1960 and Gates, 1963).
The results from these wells indicated that the highest production rate was from well completed with OBM. Wells drilled
with sodium Chloride brines had moderate production rate while WBM damaged the formation and reduced the productivity.
These results also indicated that the producing sands were extremely water sensitive and it was assumed that clay swelling is
the reason for production impairment. However, afterward experimental investigation showed that the productivity
impairment noted in wells drilled with WBM was caused by freezing of water in sandstone in the area immediately around
the wellbore and not by clay swelling (Baptist, 1960).

Fig. 1: Initial Production Data for 11 Wells in Umiat Field (Gates, 1963)

The Problem. The development of such oil reserves in permafrost areas has required a new drilling and well completion
technology to deal with the impact of frozen soils. Formation damage is one of the major problems when drilling through
permafrost, specifically for horizontal wells, with slotted liner completions and very shallow TVDs. In addition to the wellknown mechanisms of formation damage such as filtrate invasion, clay swelling, solid precipitation, etc., a unique
mechanism even increases the formation damage in the permafrost. That is the freezing of filtrate. While circulating the
warm mud, filtrate invades sand and water saturation increases in the areas around wellbore. Once circulation is ceased, this
filtrate freezes to form a barrier that is impermeable to oil flow. Also, since frozen soil is impermeable, it hinders filter cake
build-up and limits differential pressure (overbalance) needed for well bore support. Moreover, filtration of fluid from
drilling mud into the thawed zone reduces the intergranular cohesion forces and tends to fluidize thawed soils for some
distance from the borehole axis (a decrease in the strength of frozen soils which increases hole enlargement problems).
Other fluid-related problems may include friction pressure losses, change in mud weight due to entrained formation solids
and increased ECD which maximizes the risk of fracturing the formation. Along with these problems, hole cleaning issues as

SPE 165335

well as the environmental and cost issues suggest itself. As a result, the fluid used in permafrost drilling operations must have
certain properties to overcome such problems.
Recent interests in Umiat field have urged a new investor to acquire the lease and plan to drill three to four new vertical wells
and two lateral wells during the drilling seasons to reevaluate the field as well as to evaluate possible drilling and production
approaches. Thus, the goal of the present research is to conduct a comprehensive experimental evaluation of various types of
drilling fluids to select or develop a specific mud formulation that can be used to alleviate the formation damage and
production impairment problem, effectively reduce the well completion cost and eventually, increase the well productivity.
Experimental Work
From the available literature, certain fluids are proposed as candidates for use in permafrost drilling operations. Fluids and
equipment used are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Equipment. From the permafrost point of interest, the drilling fluid should be basically evaluated based on its rheological
properties, filtration properties, clay swelling properties, and depressed freezing point. This evaluation will be conducted
under various temperatures to cope with the temperature variations in the reservoir.
Rheological properties are measured under various temperatures using Fann 35 and Gemini II Rheometer, Fig. 2. These
measurements will define how the rheological properties change with temperature and indicate when filtrate starts to freeze to
form an impermeable barrier.
Fann 35 viscometer is a constant strain couette type rotational viscometer where the test fluid is contained in the annular
space (shear gap) between an outer cylinder and the bob. Viscosity measurements are made when the outer cylinder, rotating
at a known velocity, causes a viscous drag to be exerted by the fluid. This drag creates a torque on the bob, which is
transmitted to a precision spring where its deflection is measured and then converted to shear stress using the instrument's
constants. This system permits measurements between 3 and 600 rpm with the speed being determined by a combination of
speed switch setting and viscometer gear knob placement.

Fig. 2: Equipment for Measuring Rheological Properties

Gemini II Rheometer is a computerized high specification device that can measure the relationship between torque (force)
and displacement (movement) where they can be converted to rheological format by means of the measuring system
constants. A frictionless air bearing aids in transmission of the torque and a highly sensitive optical angular position
transducer is responsible for measuring the displacement. The rheometer offers the possibility of conducting measurements
under different temperatures and pressures where the operation is controlled by computer software. It also allows both steady
shear and oscillatory shear measurements.
Filtration properties are measured using API Low Pressure Filter Press, Fig. 3 under a pressure of 100 psi. HPHT filtration
test is not considered because of the nature of the formation and its low temperature and pressure. The low pressure filter
press has 6 cells body to hold the mud sample, above the base cap with screen and filter paper. The filtration area is 7.1 0.1in2 (4,580 60 mm2). Pressure of 100 5 psi (690 34.7 kPa) is applied by a non-hazardous fluid medium, Nitrogen. The
test is run for 30 minutes, after which volume of filtrate and thickness of filter cake are recorded.
Clay swelling properties are measured using linear swell meter, Fig. 4. The liner clay swell meter examines the fluid-rock
interaction under simulated conditions while the fluid is in motion. It uses compacted rock pellets or wafers immersed in a
drilling fluid and measure the rate and amount of unconfined linear swell. There are 4 cells with measuring head and Linear
Variable Differential Transducers, LVDT to measure the expansion of the wafer in vertical direction. With the swell meter
device, it is possible to observe fluid-rock interaction for short periods (0- 5 minutes) and over longer periods (> 350
minutes). In addition, mud balance was used to measure mud weight (OFITE, 2008).
Fluids. Various types of drilling fluids were used in the past for drilling through permafrost, such as WBM, salt-water mud
(NaCl or KCl), emulsion mud and OBM. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

SPE 165335

Fig. 3: API Low Pressure Filter Press

Fig. 4: Swell Meter and Compactor

Previous studies showed that Sodium Chloride brines have moderate effect on formation damage and production rate while
WBM can damage the formation and reduce the productivity. KCl inhibits clay swelling and does not impair the rheological
and filtration characteristics of a polymer water-based drilling fluid. However, high potassium and chloride ion
concentrations can also be hazardous to the environment in terms of waste management and dilution practices. Other
environmental issues may include water zones protection, protection of aquifers and the permafrost zone, limited waste
storage facilities on the drilling pad, and annual re-supply of chemical to the rig site by winter ice road. Other studies
recommended bentonite mud for use at penetration through low ice content permafrost (Kljucec and Yurkowski, 1974,
Kutasov and Caruthers, 1988, Madsen and Vonmoos, 1989, Kadaster et al, 2005). Recently, an effort has been done to search
for a more environmentally, operationally, and logistically acceptable water-based mud. This effort has resulted in the
introduction of a new generation of freshwater-based high performance drilling fluids, relying on polymers for clay
flocculation instead of KCl (Samarskiy et al, 2008).
The selected drilling fluids should have specific properties to alleviate all or some of the problems resulting from fluidformation interaction, especially at low temperatures and pressures. The selected fluids should be of a low solid content,
depressed freezing point, highly inhibitive, low fluid loss, excellent filter-cake quality, strong shear-thinning behavior (high
yield point to plastic viscosity ratio), better borehole stability, environmentally acceptable and cost effective. In addition, the
mud system has to be suitable for weighting up with dissolved salts, not barite.
With no fluid originally proved its superiority, several mud systems are proposed and evaluated for basic understanding of
their interaction with the subsurface formations in Umiat field. The fluid matrix includes brine mud, water based muds,
WBM, and two oil based muds; OBM#1 and OBM #2. The detailed description and composition of these fluids is given
elsewhere. Foam and emulsion were proposed. However, for technical difficulties and time constraints; their results are not
included in the present paper. Both are still under investigation and the results will be published later.
Formation Wafers. Available rock samples from subsurface formations in Umiat field are used to compact wafers that can
be used in swell properties test. They are Upper Grandstand sample from Well #9, 464 483 ft, Lower Grandstand sample
from Well #9, 960-978 ft and Ninuluk Formation sample from Well #11, 219 2145 ft.
To prepare the wafers, formation samples were crushed to an unconsolidated form. Approximately 17g of formation sample
is measured and loaded into the compactor cell. A 10,000 psi compaction pressure is then applied for more than one hour,
after which, wafer is removed carefully to avoid breakage. In the swell cell, wafer is loaded between two screens. The swell
meter software is set and approximately 120 cc of mud is then loaded in the cell using syringes. Then, the test starts
immediately and run for several hours where the swell % is recorded every minute.
Discussion of Results and Limitations of Analysis
Mud weight. Table 1 lists the measured mud weights for the four fluids using conventional mud balance. It can be seen from
these measurement that there is a slight difference in mud weights and all values are in the range of 8.4 to 8.7 ppg. Brine mud
has the highest weight because of the amount of salts dissolved while WBM has the lowest mud weight. Both samples of

SPE 165335

OBM have almost the same weight. As noticed, theses weights represent almost normal formation pressure gradient which
reduces amount of fluid loss to the formation and hence, reduces formation damage. Obviously, there is no advantage of a
specific fluid over the others.

Fluid
Brine
OBM #1
OBM #2
WBM

Table 1 Mud Balance Weights

ppg
psi/ft
8.7
0.45
8.5
0.44
8.6
0.45
8.4
0.44

Filtration Properties. Measurements of filtration behavior and wall cake-building characteristics of drilling fluids are
essential for successful drilling operations for the purpose of lowering formation damage and maintaining wellbore stability.
Thickness of filter cake built provides an extra resistance to filtrate invasion, especially if it has a lower permeability than
that of the formation. However, increased thickness may offer other problems like differential pipe sticking. Another
parameter is the volume and nature of the filtrate. It can significantly damage the formation permeability near the wellbore.
The results of the filtration tests are shown in Table 2 and plotted in Figure 2.

Fig. 2: Filtration Properties of Drilling Fluids

Fluid
Brine
OBM #1
OBM #2
WBM

Table 2 Filtration Properties of Drilling Fluids

30 min volume,
Filter Cake,
Spurt Loss,
mL
/32-in.
mL
0.78
35.25
2
0.49
17.6
3
0.49
15.5
3
0.63
28.5
4

Although the spurt loss and filtrate volume are large with brine, 0.78 mL and 32.25 mL, respectively, its effect on formation
damage and clay swelling is minimized due to salt content. On the contrary, WBM shows better filtration characteristics than
brine. It has small filtrate volume, 28.5 mL and low spurt loss of 0.63 mL compared to 35.25 mL and 0.78 mL, respectively
for brine. However, the nature and properties of the filtrate is another important factor to determine its damaging effect. Brine
has much better ability to inhibit clay swelling in the formation where small volume of water filtrate can hydrate clays and
reduce formation permeability. Thus, WBM, despite of its better filtration properties, can have a significant damaging effects,
especially if clay is present in the formation.
Also, it can be seen that both samples of OBM have very comparable filtration characteristics. Thickness of filter cake and
spurt loss are identical while OBM #1 shows higher filtration volume of 17.5 mL compared to 15.5 mL for OBM #2. The
difference in their behavior is attributed to the difference in their compositions. However, their hydration effect is negligible
compared to WBM and their superiority is clear.

SPE 165335

Thickness of filter cake is the highest with WBM due to do the presence of clay while it is the lowest with brine due to salt
content which destroys wall building characteristics. For both OBMs, it is the same. The accepted filter cake thickness is
about 3/32-in. as recommended by several investigators. As a result, WBM may not be appropriate due to its thick filter cake.
However, one should be careful since filter cake permeability is not available, which is a major controlling factor in selecting
a suitable mud. Overall and based on the filtration characteristics, WBM mud is not a good candidate for drilling operations
and the selection should be limited to brine and OBM. It is worth mentioning that previous studies and available production
data from Umiat field support this conclusion.
Formation Reactivity. The clay-fluid interaction is relevant to the design of drilling fluids and to monitor the response of
existing fluids for a particular treatment required to improve mud performance. The observed reactivity characteristics are
utilized to anticipate and/or correct the problems that are frequently encountered while drilling certain formations. The results
can, specifically, be used to ascertain the level of fluid reactivity and its consequences on wellbore stability, to infer possible
depletion of additive concentration over time, to determine the differential speed of the additives to reach the surface of the
rock minerals, and to monitor the performance of shale inhibitors over time (OFITE, 2008). Figures 3 and 4 show the test
results and percent expansion of wafers from Upper and Lower Grandstand formations due to the interaction with drilling
fluids for more than 12 hours. Figure 5 shows the results for Ninuluk formation while Table 3 shows the percent swell.

Fig. 3: Reactivity of Upper Grandstand Formation with Drilling Fluids

Fig. 4: Reactivity of Lower Grandstand Formation with Drilling Fluids

SPE 165335

From the plots and percent swell in Table 3, it is evident that there is a different reactivity behavior of the formation samples.
Yet, all samples show swell and expansion behavior as a result of clay hydration. It is clear that the first one hour represents a
period of significant interaction as this is the time required for the inhibitor additives to reach the surface of reactive clays in
the formation. After the first hour, the percent swell reached a maximum value that varies with formation type, and remained
constant thereafter for the duration of the experiment.

Fig. 5: Reactivity of Ninuluk Formation with Drilling Fluids

Table 3 Percent Swell for the Three Formations

Formation
Brine OBM #1 OBM #2
WBM
Upper Grandstand
0.51
0.15
0.11
0.72
Lower Grandstand
0.3
0.13
0.06
0.35
Ninuluk Formation
0.97
0.76
0.68
1.14
For Upper Grandstand formation in Figure 3, WBM yields the highest percent swell of about 0.72%, followed by brine with
about 0.51% swell while OBM samples show the lowest percent swell. However, ice thawing and disintegration when
contacting brine may be a crucial parameter. Same trend can be observed as well with Lower Grandstand formation in Figure
4 and Ninuluk formation in Figure 5. This confirms the fact that salt inhibits clay swelling and reduces formation damage,
despite of its large filtrate volume. OBM shows better swell characteristics due to its nature and special properties. However,
OBM #2 still proves its superiority to other fluids as it has the best filtration characteristics and lowest percent swell. Again,
WBM still suffers from many problems compared to other fluids.
As seen, the maximum percent swell is different for different formations. It is the highest with Ninuluk formation, 1.14%
swell with WBM and the lowest with Lower Grandstand formation, 0.35% swell with the same fluid. The difference in
formation reactivity is believed to be due to the difference in formation composition. The Upper Grandstand formation is
marine sandstone, mostly absent of microfossils. The grains are fine to very fine, with inter-bedded clay shale making up
approximately 50%. The Lower Grandstand formation is made of mostly sandstone with small amounts of shale/claystone.
This layer contains abundant microfossils and it is medium to fine grained. Lastly, the Ninuluk Formation is fine to very fine
grained sandstone. In the top portion of this layer there are abundant microfossils, while they are absent in the lower half. The
lower half also contains silty grains, with some claystone present near the bottom (Moore, et al, 1994, Houseknecht and
Schenk, 2004, LePain, McCarthy, and Kirkham, 2009, Levi-Johnson, 2010).
It is worth recalling that previous results reported the formations to exhibit some clay swelling behaviors. However this was
not the main cause of formation damage as the overall percent swell is still low. This confirms the conclusions and remarks
of the other investigators. The majority of the damage was caused by freezing of filtrate. This creates an ice block, preventing
flow of formation fluids to the wellbore. Therefore, depressed freezing point is of utmost importance (Baptist, 1960,
Masterson, 2001).
Rheological Properties. Rheological properties of drilling fluids are major players in controlling total circulating pressure,
reducing equivalent circulating density, improving wellbore cleaning, maintaining wellbore stability as well as reducing
filtrate volume and formation damage. Viscous filtrate exhibits resistance to invade porous medium and limits its formation

SPE 165335

damage effect to the near wellbore area. Later, it can be taken care of easily. The rheological behavior of drilling fluids is
measured at temperatures ranging from ambient temperature to 20F or the freezing point. The results are shown in Figures 6
through 8 while the rheological parameters are listed in Table 4.

Fig. 6: Rheological Properties at 70F

It is evident from these figures that all fluids show a shear thinning pseudoplastic behavior. As shear rate increases, apparent
viscosity decreases. However a slight difference can be seen due to various additives used to formulate mud samples. Again,
OBM #2 proves its superiority as it has the lowest plastic viscosity to ensure turbulence at drill bit for better hole cleaning
and the highest yield point to improve its carrying capacity, strong shear thinning behavior and high yield point to plastic
viscosity ratio.

Fig. 7: Rheological Properties at 35F

WBM shows the weakest shear thinning behavior and lowest yield point to plastic viscosity ratio. This may cause adverse
effects on both pressure of surface circulation system and subsurface formation. It, also builds a thicker filter cake and its
filtrate is thinner compared to other fluids. Thus its depth of penetration is large and damage effect is significant.
Other drilling fluids show very comparable behavior. This is true at all temperature ranges. However, WBM starts to freeze at
temperatures around 32F and thus ice may be formed which can damage the formation even more, ice blocking. This is
obvious in Figures 7 and 8 at low temperatures where ice particles yield instability in rheological curve. Solid particles of ice
are formed within WMB in the coaxial cylinder of rheometer at lower temperatures which causes disturbance and noise in

SPE 165335

measurements. Thus in addition to clay swelling, ice blocking is a major issue with WBM. On the contrary, other fluids still
exhibit very stable rheology curves which confirm its depressed freezing point and make it suitable for drilling in such
environment of low temperature to avoid ice blocking problem. This is mainly due to their unique nature and compositions.
Also, their interaction with clay is limited and filtration properties are superior.

Fig. 8: Rheological Properties at 20F

Fluid
Brine
OBM #1
OBM #2
WBM

n
0.55
0.53
0.52
0.5

Table 4 Rheological Parameters for Drilling Fluids

K
Funnel Viscosity
PV,
YP,
10 sec. gel,
2
2
Eq. cP
Sec./L
cP
lbf/100 ft
lbf/100 ft
429
40
7
12
5
449
51
13
15
6
458
50
12
15
6
446
47
8
15
6

10 min. gel,
2
lbf/100 ft
6
7
7
7

Conclusions
From the data gathered, it can be concluded that although WBM has better filtration properties compared with brine, its
damaging effect may be significant. Rheologically, it is characterized by a weak shear thinning behavior and low yield point
to plastic viscosity ratio. In addition, freezing point makes WBM not a viable option for drilling operations in such field.
Brine, though has large filtrate volume and spurt loss, its interaction with formation is very minute and less swelling is seen.
Use of brine can easily inhibit clay swelling in the formation and reduce formation damage. It has a thin filter cake and a
strong shear thinning behavior with high yield point to plastic viscosity ratio. The effect of its rheological on pumping
pressure requirements and ECD is quite obvious. Because of its depressed freezing point, it is a viable option. However, one
should not neglect its effect on ice thawing and disintegration.
OBM samples show quite similar properties to brine. They show good filtration characteristics, strong shear thinning
behavior with high yield point to plastic viscosity ratio. Their rheological behavior is stable even at low temperature as an
indication of their depressed freezing point. Their interaction with formation is very minimal as they have the lowest percent
swell. Both fluids are very suitable for drilling operation, however, OBM #2 is generally superior to OBM #1.
Eventually, a more detailed classification of formation composition may be a key factor for drilling fluid selection. This
would require more collaborative work between engineers and geologists. Federal, state, and local regulations may have a
significant impact on selecting drilling fluid. Environmental concerns and cost are other factors to be considered.
Future investigation of foams and emulsions is possible and detailed analysis of fluid viscoelastic properties is highly
recommended. In future, an evaluation based on the friction pressure losses and ECD may be conducted using flow loop to
get more accurate measurements of the pressure losses. Also, washout and wellbore stability problems may be investigated.

10

Nomenclature
bbl
OBM
WBM
ECD
OOIP
PV
YP
n
k
TVD

SPE 165335

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

barrel
oil based mud
water based mud
equivalent circulating density
original oil in place
plastic viscosity
yield point
power law flow behavior index
power law consistency index
true vertical depth

References
Baptist, O.C., 1960, Oil recovery and formation damage in permafrost, Umiat Field, Alaska, Report of Investigations, Federal
Bureau of Mines, US Department of Interior (1960).
Collins, F.R., 1958, Test wells, Umiat area, Alaska: U. S. Geological Survey Professional Paper, Report: P 0305-B, pp.71206.
Gates, G. L. and Caraway, W. H., 1960, Effect of completion fluids on well productivity in permafrost, Umiat Field, Alaska,
Paper SPE 1383-G presented at the 1959 Regional Fall Meeting, Pasadena, CA, 22 23 October.
Hanks, K. et al., 2011, Production of light oil from a shallow frozen reservoir: A predevelopment case study of the Umiat oil
field, northern Alaska, Paper PTC 22064 presented at the Arctic Technology Conference, Houston, TX, 7-9 Sep.
Houseknecht, D.W., and Schenk, C.J., 2004, Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the Cretaceous Nanushuk, Seabee,
and Tuluvak Formations exposed on Umiat Mountain, North-Central Alaska, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper
1709-B.
Kadaster, A.G., et. al., 2005, The planning and drilling of hot ice #1 Gas hydrate exploration well in the Alaskan Arctic,
paper SPE 92764 presented at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 23-25 Feb.
Kljucec, N. M., Yurkowski, K. J., and Lipsett, L. R., 1974, Successful drilling of the permafrost with a bentonite-XC
polymer-KCl mud systems, JCPT, January March, 49 - 53.
Kutasov, I. M. and Caruthers, R. M., 1988, Hole Enlargement Control During Arctic Drilling, paper SPE 17442 presented at
the SPE California Regional Meeting, Long Beach, California, March 23-25.
LePain, D.L., McCarthy, P.J., and Kirkham, R., 2009, Sedimentology, stacking patterns, and depositional systems in the
middle Albian-Cenomanian Nanushuk Formation in outcrop, central North Slope, Alaska. Alaska Division of Geological and
Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigations 2009-1, 78p.
Levi-Johnson, O. 2010, Petrophysical Property Modeling of Umiat Field, a Frozen Reservoir: MS thesis, University of
Alaska Fairbanks (2010).
Madsen, F. T. and Vonhooms, M. M., 1989. The swelling behavior of clays, Applied Clay Science, 4 (1989) 143-156.
Masterson, W.D. 2001, Petroleum Filling History of Central Alaskan North Slope Fields. PhD dissertation, The University of
Texas at Dallas (2001).
Moore, T.E., Wallace, W.K., Bird, K.J., Karl, S.M., Mull, C.G., Dillon, J.T., 1994. The geology of Alaska: The Geology of
North America, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colorado G1, 49-140.
OFITE, 2008. Linear Swell meter: A Micro and Marco Vision of Clay/Fluid Interaction, published by OFI Testing
Equipment, Inc.
Samarskiy, A. G., et. al., 2008, High performance freshwater flocculating drilling fluid helps to increase efficiency of
extended reach drilling operations and cut costs on Uvat oilfield, paper SPE 114852 presented at the Russian Oil and Gas
Technical Conference and Exhibition, Moscow, Russia, 28-30 Oct.
SI Metric Conversion Factors
bbl

1.589 873 E01

ft

3.048* E01
gal

3.785 412 E 03
in.

2.54* E + 00
psi

6.894 757 E + 00

= m3
=m
= m3
= cm
= kPa