Assessing the corrosivity of drilling mud on well casings

Abstract

PurposeCasing completion is an extremely important part of the process of drilling and completing an oil well. This paper aims to focus on measuring corrosivity caused by drilling mud on casing materials using a simple method.Design/methodology/approachIn this experimental study a simple method is used to determine the effect of drilling mud on the two widely used casing string materials in the oil industry, carbon steel and J‐55 alloy. The drilling mud was formulated using Saudi local clay deposits, where mud viscosity at different clay concentration was measured to show the effect of clay content on mud apparent viscosity, and select the best formulation. The average weight loss of each type of steel was measured to show the corrosion rates, caused by a drilling mud formulated using collected clay samples. Viscosity measurements are shown.FindingsCorrosion in dynamic tests is higher than in static tests, and the Saudi clay muds were less corrosive on J‐55 alloy than on carbon steel.Originality/valueThe assessment method is a simple and fast way to predict maximum and minimum corrosion while drilling.

Investigating the Corrosivity of KCl/Polymer Drilling Mud on Downhole material

“…According to Almisned (2008) the corrosion rate caused by drilling muds depends on many parameters, including mud type, its pH (Hydrogen ion concentration), temperature, drilling duration, and technique involved. Several factors affect the rate at which corrosion proceeds, however, most of the factors are interrelated and impose a compound effect on the corrosion rate of the drilling fluids.…”

Corrosion Control of Carbon Steel in Water-Based Mud by Nanosized Metallo-Cationic Surfactant Complexes During Drilling Operations

“…4 , 5 However, WBM is considered corrosive during the drilling process because it may be contaminated with corrosion accelerators such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, salts, and organic acids as shown in Figure 1 . 6 , 7 The corrosion of the drill bits, protective casing, drill string, and other related equipment is a serious problem that needs to be controlled. 8 In order to reduce the corrosion caused by the WBM, the pH value of the mud should be kept above 7.…”

“…GBM is the mud in which air or other gases is the continuous phase, while OBM is the mud in which the base fluid is diesel or synthetic oil with a mixture of solids and other chemicals as additives. WBM is the most suitable of all types and is widely used in the industry because it is significant and environmentally friendly. , However, WBM is considered corrosive during the drilling process because it may be contaminated with corrosion accelerators such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, salts, and organic acids as shown in Figure . , The corrosion of the drill bits, protective casing, drill string, and other related equipment is a serious problem that needs to be controlled . In order to reduce the corrosion caused by the WBM, the pH value of the mud should be kept above 7.…”

Evaluation of Some Nonionic Surfactants Derived From Vanillin as Corrosion Inhibitors for Carbon Steel During Drilling Processes

“…The presence of corrosive gases, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide, or salts in water-based drilling mud causes several corrosion problems during the drilling process [1][2][3][4][5].…”