New Engineered Approach to Replace Oil-Based Fluids with High Performance Water-Based Fluids in Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Oil-based fluids (invert emulsion fluids) have for many years been the fluid of choice for use in challenging hole sections. These fluid systems can bring many advantages, including optimal shale stability, low torque and drag, good resistance to contamination, and high drilling rates. One of the challenges of utilizing an invert emulsion fluid, however, has been the increasing level of environmental concern and legislation associated with its use. These challenges have driven the search for a high performance water-based fluid that will provide oil-based fluid performance and be environmentally acceptable in all offshore areas of the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea.A novel, environmentally compliant high performance water-based fluid (HPWBF) system has been developed that has proven to be extremely inhibitive and highly lubricious.Use of this new HPWBF system has helped operators to drill some of the most reactive shales in the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea while avoiding the high cost and safety risks associated with "skip and ship" operations. This performance is coupled with excellent cuttings integrity, increased temperature stability and good hole-cleaning properties. In the application of this system, the engineered approach matches fluid requirements with local clay characteristics, environmental regulations and operational objectives.A HPWBF was chosen to drill Petrobel's well Karam-1 with a great success. The fluid was utilized to drill 334 meters of 12¼" hole section through the very challenging highly reactive formation of Kafr El-Sheikh stratum. The following conditions existed for this operation:• Fluid must be water-based to meet environmental stipulations • The shale section would be exposed for up to 10 days while logging • Bottomhole temperature is 230ºF • Approximately 100 m 17½" rat hole existed below the 13 3/8" casing This paper discusses the technical challenges and highlights the criteria for the proposed fluid system and the successes achieved in this well.

Inhibitive properties comparison of different polyetheramines in water-based drilling fluid

“…However, the increasingly stringent environmental regulations and laws, as well as the high cost restrict their wide application. Therefore, people render to hunting for a water-based drilling fluid that behaves like oil-based drilling fluid (Attia et al, 2010;Hayatdavoudi et al, 2013;Zamora et al, 2000).…”

Clay-Free High Performance Water-Based Drilling Fluid for Extreme High Temperature Wells

“…These traits not only make HP WBMs an improvement compared to conventional water-based fluids (Rodriguez et al 2010), but HP WBMs can also deliver an IEF-level of performance in certain circumstances. In many cases, HP WBMs were used successfully in fields and formations that historically demanded IEF usage (Attia et al 2010). While HP WBMs have been successfully applied in many wells as an alternative to IEFs, HP WBMs have historically been limited to wells with temperatures less than 300°F (Morton et al 2005); however, IEFs do not have this limitation.…”

Effect of Cycloaliphatic Amine on the Shale Inhibitive Properties of Water-Based Drilling Fluid

“…However, the concern about the increasing level of environmental regulation limits their wide use. Then people render to seek a high performance water-based drilling fluid that performs like oil-based drilling fluid especially with regard to shale stability, and also is environmentally acceptable [3][4][5].…”