A Novel Polymer to Create a New Approach of Hole Cleaning

Abstract

A new type of drilling fluid based on a cross-linker was developed using polymer chemistry to create a superior hole cleaning product that moves drill cuttings, metal, shaving and other debris out of the well bore. In addition, the new polymer is capable of transporting cuttings when drilling metallic junk or partial losses formation. The gel is generated by adding Crosslinker (Borax) to the drilling fluid and then spotting the second component (PVA) diluted with water at designed percentages. The gel is spotted in the wellbore and then washed out. The strong carrying capacity of the gel is expected to remove all cuttings and debris from the wellbore. The other conventional hole cleaning pills contain big solids and/or are expensive. The other method to clean excessive junk from wellbore is mechanically by running many hole cleaning trips that consumes a lot of rig time. This practice has saved time by reducing the clean out trips. Moreover, the product coined "POLYSWEEP" can provide a potential solution to hole cleaning when milling metallic junk or drilling at partial circulation. POLYSWEEP has been successfully trial tested in a deviated well (with partial losses). During the field trial it was observed thatPOLYSWEEP was effective in carrying all the shaving debris and cuttings out from the wellbore throughout drilling operation with no troubles. Also, POLYSWEEP has shown good compatibility for use in water based drilling fluid. POLYSWEEP brings value though both its cost effective, simple formaulation as well as its ability to reduce the number of wiper trips. Besides that, it is environmentally friendly as all the components of the fluid are not toxic. The new composition has potential of producing modified fluids for several different applications, including, hole cleaning sweeps, LCMs and fracturing fluids.

Hole Cleaning during Drilling Oil and Gas Wells: A Review for Hole-Cleaning Chemistry and Engineering Parameters

“…In addition, studies have compared the efectiveness of using holecleaning fbers with polymeric pills and evaluated the performance of drilling fuids containing KCl and NaCl at low concentrations. Te ultimate aim is to optimize the efciency of hole cleaning during drilling operations, which is critical for maintaining the integrity of the wellbore and ensuring safe and efcient drilling operations [92][93][94][95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107].…”