Low-Density Invert Emulsion Drilling Fluid Enables Recovery of Oil Reserves in Extremely Depleted Reservoirs: A Case History From Valhall, Norway

Askø, Arne; Alsvik, Eva Teresia; Danielsen, Trond Helge; Haga, Marton Audun

doi:10.2118/199665-ms

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…According to the authors, the new drilling mud solution contributes to the improvement of the improved oil recovery. Additionally, inversion drilling muds are characterized by high electrical parameters; the ES stability is above 300 V [10]. They also have stable rheological parameters and low filtration.…”

Section: A Short Review Of the Contributions In This Issuementioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the Efficiency of Oil Recovery in Research and Development

Kremieniewski

2022

Energies

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Section: A Short Review Of the Contributions In This Issuementioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the Efficiency of Oil Recovery in Research and Development

Kremieniewski

2022

Energies

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“…Askø et al [28] present laboratory tests for invert drilling fluids designed for drilling long horizontal wells in extremely depleted chalk reservoirs within the limitations of a narrow mud weight window, high overbalance, high solids contamination when drilling a water injection well on the Valhall Flank North in the southern Norwegian Continental Shelf.…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invert Drilling Fluids with High Internal Phase Content

et al. 2021

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One of the most important tasks when drilling a borehole is to select the appropriate type of drilling fluid and adjust its properties to the borehole’s conditions. This ensures the safe and effective exploitation of the borehole. Many types of drilling fluids are used to drill holes for crude oil and natural gas. Most often, mainly due to cost and environmental constraints, water-based muds are used. On the other hand, invert drilling fluids are used for drilling holes in difficult geological conditions. The ratio of the oil phase to the water phase in invert drilling fluids the most common ratio being from 70/30 to 90/10. One of the disadvantages of invert drilling fluids is their cost (due to the oil content) and environmental problems related to waste and the management of oily cuttings. This article presents tests of invert drilling fluids with Oil-Water Ratio (OWR) 50/50 to 20/80 which can be used for drilling HPHT wells. The invert drilling fluids properties were examined and their resistance to temperature and pressure was assessed. Their effect on the permeability of reservoir rocks was also determined. The developed invert drilling fluids are characterized by high electrical stability ES above 300 V, and stable rheological parameters and low filtration. Due to the reduced content of the oil, the developed drilling fluid system is more economical and has limited toxicity.

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Development Methodology for Ultra-Lightweight Drilling Fluids Using Hollow Glass Beads

Kostov

Penny

Rao

et al. 2022

IADC/SPE International Drilling Conference and Exhibition

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Lightweight drilling fluids are needed to drill depleted formations and can also be used to maximize drilling rates of penetration. This paper presents a methodology developed to design and test ultra-lightweight drilling fluids utilizing a high concentration of hollow glass beads (densities <5.5 lbm/gal). These fluids can be used as a simpler alternative to foam or air drilling in applications requiring densities in the 4-6.5 lbm/gal range. As a starting point the field application requirements were developed which then were used to define a set of functional requirements for the hollow glass beads (HGB) fluid; tests and procedures for evaluating the performance against functional requirements were then developed. These included survival of the beads at downhole pressures and temperatures, survival of the beads under mechanical impact, formulation stability against hollow glass bead floatation, and rheological stability in addition to normal drilling fluid design requirements (e.g. compatibility & contamination testing). Selection of bead type and base oil were part of the development process. Several new lab tests were developed and conducted which allowed for assessing the performance and making adjustments until the functional requirements were met. Several HGB drilling fluid formulations were successfully developed meeting all the functional requirements. Fluid densities as low as 4.6 lbm/gal were successfully tested; this is the lowest density hollow glass beads drilling fluid that we are aware of. Hollow glass bead survival at increased pressure and temperature was above 90% for pressures around 4000psi. In addition, the formulations show excellent stability with minimal glass bead floatation even at elevated temperatures. The mechanical survival of the glass beads was also studied in the lab and estimated to be over 90% in a typical well application. Rheological properties showed good stability with both pressure and temperature. Standard drilling fluid hydraulics software can be used for modeling the wellbore pressures. The methodology described presents a systematic approach to developing ultra-lightweight HGB drilling fluids (below 5.5lbm/gal); these can be used in drilling applications where significantly lower densities below base oil densities are needed, especially as a simpler alternative to foamed fluids used in drilling depleted reservoirs (e.g. conventional depleted wells, drilling with MPD, mud cap drilling). The methodology also allows for determining the lower limit of densities that can be designed for a particular application, and can also be utilized for developing ultra-lightweight fluids for non-drilling applications.

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Low-Density Invert Emulsion Drilling Fluid Enables Recovery of Oil Reserves in Extremely Depleted Reservoirs: A Case History From Valhall, Norway

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

Improving the Efficiency of Oil Recovery in Research and Development

Improving the Efficiency of Oil Recovery in Research and Development

Invert Drilling Fluids with High Internal Phase Content

Development Methodology for Ultra-Lightweight Drilling Fluids Using Hollow Glass Beads

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