Introduction to Well Control

DRILLING FLUIDS
Technology

Functions Types Drilling Fluid Selection Minimize Formation Damage Problems and Advances

Introduction to Well Control

Mud Technology

Control Pressures and Prevent Caving

Remove Cuttings Suspend Cuttings Cool and Lubricate the Bit Filter Cake for the Borehole Help Support the Drillstring Minimise Damage to the Formation

Density
Viscosity Gel strength Additives Water loss Density Additives

Mud Functions
FUNCTIONS Well Control Hole Stability PROPERTY Fluid Weight Chemical inhibition Mechanical weight RESULT

Introduction to Well Control

Holds back formation Prevents reaction Holds back cavings Suspends and carries cuttings to surface Removes cuttings and improves ROP

Hole Cleaning

Yield Point Gel Strength, Weight

Transmit HH Power to the bit

Base fluid of the mud

Formation Evaluation Mud type and properties

Helps interpret data

Introduction to Well Control

Mud Types
TYPE Air, Gas, Foam Water Based : Gel, Bentonite Water Based : Lignosulfonate (dispersed) Water Based : Salt, Polymer (inhibited) Diesel oil Synthetic oil APPLICATION Hard, dry formations Lost circ zones Cheap spud mud Non weighted system Filtration control, tolerant to contaminants Drilling water sensitive shales +/Faster ROP Least formation damage Most versatile system. Products readily available Easily maintained Reduced ROP

Controls chemical reaction of the shales Very inhibited, Best ROP, Formation stability, reduced torque and drag, highest cost

Water sensitive shales, Reduced stuck pipe, High Temperature zones

Introduction to Well Control

Fluid Selection
Usually a compromise

Well Type Environmental issues Well Control requirements Hole Stability Temperature + Chemical stability of the mud Drilling Performance Cost Product availability

Introduction to Well Control

Minimise Formation Damage

Causes
Mud filtrate Vs reservoir fluid Mud solids Vs reservoir rock Pore plugging Clay swelling Permeability reduction Emulsion blocking - caused by mixing of filtrate and reservoir fluid

Prevention
Compatible fluid < Lost circulation Inhibit filtrate Tight control on filter loss Clean the wellbore Good mud - cement interface Liner cement recipes should have good fluid loss control

Introduction to Well Control

Problems and Advances

Possible Problems
Stuck Pipe Lost Circulation Bit Balling

Advances in Recent Years

General Polymer Chemistry Inhibitive Water Based Mud Mineral Oil Synthetic Oil Cuttings Re-injection Silicate Mud

Wellbore Instability
Slow Drilling Formation Damage Environmental Concerns