Laboratory Testing and Well Productivity Assessment of Drill-in-Fluid Systems in Order To Determine the Optimum Mud System for Alaskan Heavy-Oil-Multilateral Field Developments

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThe North Slope of Alaska has billions of barrels of heavy original oil in place (OOIP) residing in largely undeveloped reservoirs. Despite this large volume of heavy oil in place, the majority of reserves development on the slope to date has been focused on light crude. However over the past few years, operators have begun to develop the North Slope's vast heavy oil resource base.Recently, an optimum drill-influid/formation damage minimization study was undertaken by ConocoPhillips, BP, and its partners in order to determine the optimum reservoir drilling fluid for the heavy oil sands in order to maximize well productivity and project value.