An experimental investigation of the shale inhibition properties of a quaternary amine compound

Abstract

Depleting oil reserves and increased costs of the oil and gas recoveries have created the need to drill in challenging formations. When drilled through, shale formations in particular always generated a wide variety of problems if conventional water-based muds are used. Furthermore, the complexity and variations in shales have compounded the task of developing suitable drilling fluids. In light of these problems, the study of shale properties and their interactions with fluids will continue to be a muchneeded source of information in drilling industry.In this study a low molecular weight quaternary amine compound, which is provided by KarKim Drilling Fluids Inc., and its mixtures with sodium and potassium chloride is investigated in the aspects of capillary suction times, hot rolling recoveries, methylene blue capacities and one-dimensional free swelling properties in order to compare performances of salts and amine compound.For all test methods quaternary amine concentration from 1% to 6% by volume were studied and seen that less amount of quaternary amine compound is needed in order to obtain close shale recoveries and shale volume change potential if compared with sodium and potassium chloride. This prevents the usage of high concentration of chlorides and hence provides environmental sensitiveness. Furthermore, it was concluded that combining an amount of salt with quaternary amine compound gives the system enhanced shale inhibition properties.