Dynamics of Fluid Substitution While Drilling and Completing Long 
Horizontal-Section Wells

Dutra, Eduardo de Oliveira; Martins, André F. T.; Miranda, C.R.; Aragao, Atila; Campos, Gilson; Mendes, Paulo; Nacache, Monica

doi:10.2523/94623-ms

“…Fluid displacement was performed using pumping recommendations suggested in the approach proposed by Dutra et al (2005), noting that the DIF should be removed from every line in the circulation system and replaced by the gravel-pack carrier fluid. Table 4 details the original properties of the DIF and the gravelpack fluid properties before pumping and after returning from the well following the displacement process.…”

Section: Drilling Of the 8½-in Phase Well Conditioning And Fluid Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

Field Implementation of Gravel Packing Horizontal Wells Using a Solids-Free Synthetic Fluid With Alpha-/ Beta-Wave Technology

Aragao

¹

,

Calderon

²

,

Lomba

³

et al. 2009

SPE Drilling &Amp; Completion

2

0

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This article details the planning and execution phases of the first openhole gravel-pack (OHGP) operation performed with the alpha-/beta-wave deposition technique using a nonaqueous system as a carrier fluid. The operation was performed at Marlim field, offshore Brazil, and constitutes the first field implementation of a research and engineering effort that started two years ago.The idea in this first field operation was to avoid many changes in the original well design for the area and to concentrate novel steps in the fluid for gravel packing openhole design, friction loss evaluation, fluid substitution, and rheology characterization. On the basis of these results, optimized procedures were proposed for the operation. A broad description of the technical aspects, field pumping profiles, and packing quality is also presented.

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“…Without being able to move pipe under these circumstances, an extra strain is put on the capability and efficiency of chemical wash spacers, which are then required to have enhanced cleaning activity toward the target mud. Pumping the displacement spacer system in turbulent flow 3,5 throughout the displacement process will contribute to improved spacer system performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effective High-Density Wellbore Cleaning Fluids: Brine-Based and Solids-Free

Javora¹,

Baccigalopi²,

Sanford³

et al. 2006

All Days

8

0

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TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 1.972.952.9435. AbstractDisplacing drilling mud with clear solids-free completion brine is a critical step during well completion. As we move into deeper waters and drill to deeper depths (greater than 25,000 feet MD), conventional methods and cleaning fluids become a limiting factor in this phase of the operation. Conventional cleaning fluids use fresh water or seawater treated with surfactants to remove wellbore solids and water wet tubulars. Using low-density cleaning fluids creates a negative differential pressure between the working kill weight fluid and the formation, casing and cement liners. In many situations, the negative differential pressure cannot be tolerated and the risk of failure at the liner top, etc. is increased, especially if the wellbore has not been pressure integrity tested. Additionally, with increasing rig / spread costs, high pump rates are necessary to decrease the time it takes to perform these operations. The pump rate is indirectly proportional to the pump pressures required. Weighted spacers decrease the overall pressure differential, which allows for higher pumping rates.In order to overcome the density limitation of these cleaning fluids, conventional techniques such as additional hydraulic horsepower, backpressure schedules, the addition of solids to lighter cleaning fluids (water, seawater), or balancing the weight of the low-density cleaning fluid with a matching higher-density fluid is utilized. However, each of these "fixes" has inherent limitations and is accompanied with reduced cleanup efficiency.Furthermore, conventional surfactants are not active or effective in high-density brines. New brine-compatible surfactant chemistry and the corresponding balanced-displacement engineering design were developed to overcome limitation of conventional displacement technology.This paper describes the field applications of new brinebased high-density solids-free cleaning fluids in balanceddisplacements in deepwater and offshore shelf wells. The new high-density fluids were based on, new surfactant technology developed to ensure effective wellbore cleaning, wellbore design parameters, and displacement modeling. In addition, weighted spacers aid in reducing high pump pressures and wellbore pressure differentials. In one case history, maximum pumping pressure of more than 9,000 psi was expected for conventional water based displacement, but was reduced to a little over 3,000 psi with the new design. High-Density cleaning fluids, with densities up to and greater than 17.5 ppg, have been formulated and utilized successfully without compromising cleanup efficiency and significantly reducing differential pressures. Results from laboratory development and field applications are presented.

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“…All of these are a necessary part of today's displacement toolkit. Displacement success is complicated by the fact that pipe in the wellbore is not concentric 3,4 but exhibits a wide range of eccentricities. Pipe movement, reciprocation and rotation, are key remedies that is always desired during mud conditioning, especially in highly deviated wells, but may not be possible for certain displacements, such as deepwater displacements involving a large riser section or for highly deviated wellbores.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effective High-Density Wellbore Cleaning Fluids: Brine-Based and Solids-Free

Javora¹,

Baccigalopi²,

Sanford³

et al. 2006

Proceedings of IADC/SPE Drilling Conference

2

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 1.972.952.9435. AbstractDisplacing drilling mud with clear solids-free completion brine is a critical step during well completion. As we move into deeper waters and drill to deeper depths (greater than 25,000 feet MD), conventional methods and cleaning fluids become a limiting factor in this phase of the operation. Conventional cleaning fluids use fresh water or seawater treated with surfactants to remove wellbore solids and water wet tubulars. Using low-density cleaning fluids creates a negative differential pressure between the working kill weight fluid and the formation, casing and cement liners. In many situations, the negative differential pressure cannot be tolerated and the risk of failure at the liner top, etc. is increased, especially if the wellbore has not been pressure integrity tested. Additionally, with increasing rig / spread costs, high pump rates are necessary to decrease the time it takes to perform these operations. The pump rate is indirectly proportional to the pump pressures required. Weighted spacers decrease the overall pressure differential, which allows for higher pumping rates.In order to overcome the density limitation of these cleaning fluids, conventional techniques such as additional hydraulic horsepower, backpressure schedules, the addition of solids to lighter cleaning fluids (water, seawater), or balancing the weight of the low-density cleaning fluid with a matching higher-density fluid is utilized. However, each of these "fixes" has inherent limitations and is accompanied with reduced cleanup efficiency.Furthermore, conventional surfactants are not active or effective in high-density brines. New brine-compatible surfactant chemistry and the corresponding balanced-displacement engineering design were developed to overcome limitation of conventional displacement technology.This paper describes the field applications of new brinebased high-density solids-free cleaning fluids in balanceddisplacements in deepwater and offshore shelf wells. The new high-density fluids were based on, new surfactant technology developed to ensure effective wellbore cleaning, wellbore design parameters, and displacement modeling. In addition, weighted spacers aid in reducing high pump pressures and wellbore pressure differentials. In one case history, maximum pumping pressure of more than 9,000 psi was expected for conventional water based displacement, but was reduced to a little over 3,000 psi with the new design. High-Density cleaning fluids, with densities up to and greater than 17.5 ppg, have been formulated and utilized successfully without compromising cleanup efficiency and significantly reducing differential pressures. Results from laboratory development and field applications are presented.

show abstract

Dynamics of Fluid Substitution While Drilling and Completing Long Horizontal-Section Wells

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

Field Implementation of Gravel Packing Horizontal Wells Using a Solids-Free Synthetic Fluid With Alpha-/ Beta-Wave Technology

Field Implementation of Gravel Packing Horizontal Wells Using a Solids-Free Synthetic Fluid With Alpha-/ Beta-Wave Technology

Effective High-Density Wellbore Cleaning Fluids: Brine-Based and Solids-Free

Effective High-Density Wellbore Cleaning Fluids: Brine-Based and Solids-Free

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