A Clarified Xanthan Drill-In Fluid for Prudhoe Bay Horizontal Wells

Beck, Frederick Eugene; Powell, J.W.; Zamora, Mario

doi:10.2118/25767-ms

Cited by 18 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…7,21-23 Even a solids-free formulation will incorporate native drilled solids as drilling progresses which will act as bridging agents to help minimize fluid invasion. Beck et al 7 discussed the use of a clarified xanthan formulation incorporating sized bridging particles for invasion control in the development of Prudhoe Bay horizontal wells. In these wells, skin factors were interpreted as being non-existent (zero skin).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applications of Xanthan Gum in Fluid-Loss Control and Related Formation Damage

Navarrete¹,

Himes²,

Seheult³

2000

Proceedings of SPE Permian Basin Oil and Gas Recovery Conference

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TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractXanthan gum has been used extensively in the oil industry as a viscosifier for different applications due to its unique rheological properties. In this paper we explore how the rheological behavior of xanthan-based fluids can be used to control fluid loss. Linear and radial flow tests were performed in 100-1,000 md rocks. The rheological characteristics of xanthan gum were measured in linear core flow tests. This constitutive flow behavior was used in a radial flow simulator to predict the invasion profile of xanthan gum in the formation. Radial flow tests were performed to validate the predictions from the simulator and to observe the effect of fluid loss additives such as starch and ground Berea.A laboratory scale drilling simulator was used to determine the leakoff and formation damage of xanthan-based drilling fluids. The fluid was circulated through tubing and cuttings were removed from the annulus. Thin section analysis and environmental SEM were performed on rock samples taken at different distances from the wellbore to determine the nature and depth of the damage.Results show that fines generated during the drilling process form an external filter cake which in combination with xanthan gum results in considerable fluid loss reduction. Damage due to xanthan gum is small and limited to a narrow thickness around the wellbore, resulting in negligible skin factors. The use of starch can lead to considerable damage and large skin factors if allowed to invade the formation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5,6 Xanthan gum has been used extensively as a viscosifier in the oil field for drilling, drill-in and completion fluids due to its unique rheological properties. 7 In this paper we explore the rheological properties of xanthan-based fluids in Berea sandstone rocks and how these properties can be used to control fluid loss.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applications of Xanthan Gum in Fluid-Loss Control and Related Formation Damage

Navarrete¹,

Himes²,

Seheult³

2000

Proceedings of SPE Permian Basin Oil and Gas Recovery Conference

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“…11 Video also helped validate the field success with drilling horizontal wells in Alaska with rheologically engineered bio-polymer drill-in fluids, a hole-cleaning concept that was contrary to industry thinking at the time. 12 Additionally, laboratory studies based on extensive video imaging helped convince the industry that barite sag was primarily a dynamic settling problem and not the static problem as previously thought. 13 Outside of the oil industry, video has long been a mainstay to view objects not easily accessible.…”

Section: The Power Of Videomentioning

confidence: 95%

Development and Application of a 3D-Wellbore Visualization System for Hydraulics Analyses

Zamora¹,

Simpkins²

2005

Proceedings of SPE/IADC Drilling Conference

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fax 01-972-952-9435.Abstract Visualization technology has evolved into an important G&G tool to view and interpret seismic data, 3D logs, geocellular models, grids, horizons, and well placements. Directional drillers also benefit from visualizing complex placements in 3D; however, this is one of very few drilling applications that currently exists for this technology. I ntroduced in this paper is software that for the first time permits interactive 3D visualization of the inside of a virtual wellbore. I n this initial offering, downhole drilling hydraulics and related conditions can be critically examined while navigating the well from surface to TD using a standard PC and a j oystick. The new software system has application for interpreting large data sets, mitigating drilling problems, training, and encouraging collaboration among multi-disciplinary teams.Stunning 3D perspective rendering can show internal and side proj ections of well tortuosity, cuttings beds, drill string ( including eccentricity) , annular velocity profiles, formations ( texture, rugosity, and breakout) , downhole engineering parameters ( temperature, ESDs, etc.) , and downhole tools, among others. " I ntelligence" is incorporated that can direct the software to automatically find, display, and visually inspect anomalies and potential hydraulics-related problems. Simulated data are provided by an advanced hydraulics program; a real-time version is planned that also will include other key drilling and wellbore parameters. Both options are suitable for use in real-time drilling centers.The purpose of this paper is to discuss the development, application, and opportunities of this wellbore visualization software. Special emphasis is placed on the quality and uncertainty of models, and methods used to drive the 3D graphics. The design, development, and implementation of the fit-for-purpose graphics platform also are discussed.

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“…Then the 8 ½" was drilled with XCD/Starch/KCl/Soltex/CaCO 3 mud to 1239 m (TD) and 7" liner lowered. Mud for the 6 This section was drilled to 2080 m (TD) without any drilling problem. The well was completed with 4 ½" PDL.…”

Section: Well No-1mentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnesium Peroxide Breaker for Filter Cake Removal

Mahapatra¹,

Kosztin²

2011

SPE EUROPEC/EAGE Annual Conference and Exhibition

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Commonly used Drill-in Fluids (DIF) are typically comprised of starch, xanthan and sized calcium carbonate. Although, DIF is inherently less damaging than the conventional drilling mud, relatively impermeable filter cakes are still deposited on the borehole walls. The polymer in the mud provides cohesiveness and encapsulates the bridging solids (CaCO3). Consequently, the polymers in the cake retard the dissolving of the bridging particles and therefore, must be decomposed to allow a complete and even dissolution of the soluble solids in the filter cake. A common practice to minimize such damage is the application of acids (External Breaker) or strong oxidative breaker (Internal Breaker) system to dissolve filter cake solids and biopolymers.Magnesium Peroxide is an internal breaker. It is a classified oxidizer which slowly decomposes to release oxygen. Since magnesium peroxide is a powdered solid, it becomes an integral part of the filter cake. Due to the extremely low solubility of Magnesium peroxides it remains stable for extended periods of time in alkaline environment and within the filter cake. The magnesium peroxide, when exposed to an acidic solution, it releases hydrogen peroxide which degrades the polysaccharide type polymers and open-up the external filter cake.In an effort to evaluate the effect, laboratory experiment was carried out. Due to the wide range of possible mud system, a pragmatic range was selected for evaluation. A total of six different drill in fluid were formulated, based on practical application in the field. The laboratory experiment shows that magnesium peroxide influences the acid clean up. Subsequent field trial in three horizontal wells in South Oman field showed excellent stability of the mud and clean up after soaking in 15 % hydrochloric acid.

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A Clarified Xanthan Drill-In Fluid for Prudhoe Bay Horizontal Wells

Cited by 18 publications

References 9 publications

Applications of Xanthan Gum in Fluid-Loss Control and Related Formation Damage

Applications of Xanthan Gum in Fluid-Loss Control and Related Formation Damage

Development and Application of a 3D-Wellbore Visualization System for Hydraulics Analyses

Magnesium Peroxide Breaker for Filter Cake Removal

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