Impact of barite and ilmenite mixture on enhancing the drilling mud weight

Abdou, M.I.; Al-Sabagh, A.M.; Ahmed, Hany El-Sayed; Fadl, A.M.

doi:10.1016/j.ejpe.2018.02.004

Cited by 47 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Several studies were conducted to solve solids sag phenomenon in oil-and water-based muds by training rig personnel (Scott et al 2004), optimizing the rheological properties of the drilling fluid using anti-sagging agents and rheology modifiers (Temple et al 2004;Davis et al 2017;Basfar et al 2018;Elkatatny 2018Elkatatny , 2019Mohamed et al 2020), reducing the particle size of the weighting agent (Mohamed et al 2017;Boyou et al 2019), replacing the weight material, or adding a combination of weight materials (Alabdullatif et al 2015;Abdou et al 2018;Basfar et al 2019;Mohamed et al 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barite–Micromax mixture, an enhanced weighting agent for the elimination of barite sag in invert emulsion drilling fluids

Basfar

Mohamed

Elkatatny

2020

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

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Weighting agents are mixed with the drilling mud to provide the high density required to control high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) wells throughout the drilling operation. Solids sag occurs when the weighting agent separates from the liquid phase and settles down, causing variations in the drilling fluid density. This study evaluates barite-manganese tetroxide (Micromax) mixture to eliminate solids sag issue encountered with weighted invert emulsion drilling fluids at HPHT conditions. Micromax additive was added to barite-weighted fluids in different concentrations, 0, 15, and 30 wt% of the total weighting agent. Static and dynamic sag tests were used to evaluate the sag tendency of the new formulation under static and dynamic conditions. The performance of the new formulation was evaluated by measuring the electrical stability, density, rheological, viscoelastic, and filtration properties of the drilling fluid. The obtained results showed that Micromax additive improves drilling fluid stability by reducing the sag tendency. Adding only 30 wt% of Micromax additive eliminated barite sag issue in both dynamic and static conditions at 350 °F. 30 wt% Micromax increased the base fluid density by 5.4% and the yield point by 115% and maintained the gel strength value at 12 lb/100 ft 2 , while it reduced the plastic viscosity by 30%. The addition of Micromax additive improved the viscoelastic properties of the drilling fluid by maintaining a higher storage modulus to the loss modulus ratio when compared with the barite sample (in the range 4-4.5). Furthermore, 30 wt% Micromax improved the filtration performance by reducing the filtrate volume, filter cake weight, and filter cake thickness by 50%.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barite–Micromax mixture, an enhanced weighting agent for the elimination of barite sag in invert emulsion drilling fluids

Basfar

Mohamed

Elkatatny

2020

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

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“…This increase is due to the difference between ilmenite density (4.79 g/cm 3 ) and barite density (4.48 g/cm 3 ). Therefore, when adding ilmenite, less solids will be needed to attain the same density of the base fluid [1,30].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mn3O4 was found to be effective in improving drilling fluid stability and reducing barite sag tendency. Abdou et al [30] studied the effect of ilmenite and barite mixture Several laboratory studies were performed to understand and prevent barite sag issue in water and oil-based drilling and completion fluids. Temple et al [24] proposed a new approach to reduce barite sag in invert emulsion mud by adding a low molecular weight polyalkyl methacrylate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mn 3 O 4 was found to be effective in improving drilling fluid stability and reducing barite sag tendency. Abdou et al [30] studied the effect of ilmenite and barite mixture on drilling fluid density and rheological properties. They concluded that using this mixture yields comparable performance to barite, and it could be used as a replacement to barite because of the low solid content and fluid loss that would consequently minimize formation damage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevention of Barite Sag in Oil-Based Drilling Fluids Using a Mixture of Barite and Ilmenite as Weighting Material

et al. 2019

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Drilling high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) wells requires a special fluid formulation that is capable of controlling the high pressure and is stable under the high downhole temperature. Barite-weighted fluids are common for such purpose because of the good properties of barite, its low cost, and its availability. However, solids settlement is a major problem encountered with this type of fluids, especially at elevated downhole temperatures. This phenomenon is known as barite sag, and it is encountered in vertical and directional wells under static or dynamic conditions leading to serious well control issues. This study aims to evaluate the use of barite-ilmenite mixture as a weighting agent to prevent solids sag in oil-based muds at elevated temperatures. Sag test was conducted under static conditions (vertical and inclined) at 350 °F and under dynamic conditions at 120 °F to determine the optimum ilmenite concentration. Afterward, a complete evaluation of the drilling fluid was performed by monitoring density, electrical stability, rheological and viscoelastic properties, and filtration performance to study the impact of adding ilmenite on drilling fluid performance. The results of this study showed that adding ilmenite reduces sag tendency, and only 40 wt.% ilmenite (from the total weighting material) was adequate to eliminate barite sag under both static and dynamic conditions with a sag factor of around 0.51. Adding ilmenite enhanced the rheological and viscoelastic properties and the suspension of solid particles in the drilling fluid, which confirmed sag test results. Adding ilmenite slightly increased the density of the drilling fluid, with a slight decrease in the electrical stability within the acceptable range of field applications. Moreover, a minor improvement in the filtration performance of the drilling fluid and filter cake sealing properties was observed with the combined weighting agent. The findings of this study provide a practical solution to the barite sag issue in oil-based fluids using a combination of barite and ilmenite powder as a weighting agent to drill HPHT oil and gas wells safely and efficiently with such type of fluids.

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“…Drilling mud is one of the most important factors in drilling operations [1]. In addition to its function to facilitate circulation during drilling, it has several other functions that are no less important, namely lifting cutting drilling to the surface; coolling and lubricating the chisel and drill string; preventing corrosion; lining the wall of the borehole with mud cake; controlling formation pressure; restraining cutting when circulation has stopped; in the introduction of hydraulics; as an information medium and media logging; and retaining some of the heavy drill pipe and casing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of the use of nanomaterials as drilling mud additives

et al. 2018

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Previous research on drilling mud concludes that oil-based mud is the best drilling fluid, but is not recommended because it is unsustainable and environmentally unfriendly. Therefore, research has been conducted on additives that can be used for water-based mud, making it equal or even superior in quality to oil-based mud. The use of graphene as a drilling mud additive may form mud cake as a filtration barrier, and the use of magnesium oxide (MgO) may increase the viscosity value. Rheological analysis is conducted using the Bingham plastic method, a simple method generally used in the oil and gas fields, whereas use of the Power Law model can provide better modelling of Bingham plastic that cannot be achieved for well under surface analysis. Tension limit simulation was performed to determine the safe limits of the tool's ability to withstand loads. Control of equivalent circulation density (ECD) is very important; if this is too high it can cause loss of circulation, and if too low it can cause kick. In Bingham plastic, the value of plastic viscosity and the yield strength of the graphene additive increased by 25 and 32%, respectively, compared to the base formula. The MgO yield strength value is too high, indicating that MgO cannot be used as a drilling mud fluid additive. In graphene oxide (GO) additives, there is a decrease in plastic viscosity of 50% and an increase in yield strength of up 180%. The graphene torque limit value increased by 0.2% and the drilling depth increased by 2.8% compared to the base formula. The GO torque limit value increased by 0.2% and the drilling depth increased by 2.08% from the base formula, while the tension limit of the graphene additive increased by 38.8% from the base formula and on the GO decreased by 2.11%. From the ECD simulation, graphene is more suitable for wells with high formation pressures, GO is more suitable for low pressure wells.

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Impact of barite and ilmenite mixture on enhancing the drilling mud weight

Cited by 47 publications

References 4 publications

Barite–Micromax mixture, an enhanced weighting agent for the elimination of barite sag in invert emulsion drilling fluids

Barite–Micromax mixture, an enhanced weighting agent for the elimination of barite sag in invert emulsion drilling fluids

Prevention of Barite Sag in Oil-Based Drilling Fluids Using a Mixture of Barite and Ilmenite as Weighting Material

Study of the use of nanomaterials as drilling mud additives

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