The Mystery of Vanishing MWD/LWD Tools in Downhole: Interaction of Heavy WBM, Complex Petrophysical Formation Properties and Tool Metallurgy in Deep Kerogen-rich Carbonates

Dashti, Qasem; Al-Anzi, Ealian H.D.; Doheim, Aref Al; Kabir, Mir Md Rezaul; Acharya, Mihira N.; Al-Ajmi, Saad Abdulrahman Hassan

doi:10.2118/163385-ms

All Days 2012

DOI: 10.2118/163385-ms

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The Mystery of Vanishing MWD/LWD Tools in Downhole: Interaction of Heavy WBM, Complex Petrophysical Formation Properties and Tool Metallurgy in Deep Kerogen-rich Carbonates

Qasem Dashti

Ealian H.D. Al-Anzi

Aref Al Doheim

et al.

Abstract: Robustness of measurement while drilling (MWD) and logging while drilling (LWD) tools is laboratory-tested and rigorously field-tested for the expected operating and measurement specifications. Such tools have been used in the industry for decades with proven track record of stability. However, a typical tool string deployed as a part of bottom-hole assembly (BHA) has recently failed to withstand the unexpected BH conditions during drilling of the pilot hole using potassium formate mud (KFM), a heavy water bas… Show more

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Cited by 2 publications

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Achievement of Maximum Mud Weights in K-Formate WBM with Micromax and Its Successful Implementations in Deep HPHT Wells

et al. 2014

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The Jurassic reservoirs of deep wells in Kuwait have traditionally been drilled with OBM. Barite is utilized as the weighting material in the OBM resulting damages to these reservoirs, thereby reducing the productivity to a significant extent. The higher oil to water ratio (95/5) of OBM limits the possibilities of identifying the micro fractures in reservoirs due to the limited conductive medium in OBM. Potassium formate WBM, with Manganese Tetraoxide as weighting material was successfully applied in HPHT wells overcoming these limitations. K-Formate brine was utilized up to maximum density of 12.5 ppg to reduce the impacts of solids in the mud. For the first time, maximum mud weight of 17.8 ppg was achieved operationally using micromax (Mn3O4) in this WBM. Also, for the first time in Kuwait, this kind of fluid was used to drill the section with the inclinations above 60° in deep wells. As a result of using K-Formate WBM in the reservoir sections, production increased significantly when compared to the wells drilled with OBM and barite. Wells were simulated easily without the presence of barite. Water based conductive medium gave better quality of image logs. Unlike other WBM's, K-formate WBM was stored for long periods, over a year in the mud plants without any damage to the mud properties. Recycling reduced the overall fluid costs in the subsequent wells drilled with K-formate WBM. Environmental damage due to the OBM spills and cuttings were completely avoided; K-formate WBM is highly bio-degradable under atmospheric conditions and is environmentally friendly. The experience and success gained with its use on the initial wells led to the planned usage of this WBM on all deep exploratory wells. This paper explains the experiences gained and the achievements made over the years with K-formate WBM used for drilling the deep HPHT wells.

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Achievement of Maximum Mud Weights in K-Formate WBM with Micromax and Its Successful Implementations in Deep HPHT Wells

et al. 2014

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Alternate Weighting Material for High Pressured Jurassic Wells in Kuwait - Case Histories of Successful K-Formate Mn3O4 Drilling Fluids

Al-Foudari¹,

Al-Muhailan²,

Rajagopalan³

et al. 2015

SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition

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Deep wells drilled into the Jurassic formations of Kuwait have long utilized oil based mud (OBM) with barite as the weighting material. However, barite caused considerable damage to the reservoir sections, resulting in reduced production rates. The high oil content in the OBM also prevented recording of good quality image logs, which was necessary to identify the micro-fractures in the reservoir. To overcome these issues, it was necessary to use a water based mud (WBM) with non-damaging weighting material suitable for high pressure conditions.The existence of high pore pressures and a requirement for mud weights up to 18.5 lb/gal in these wells ruled out the use of conventional WBM. Laboratory tests conducted using a fluid based on Potassium Formate (K-Formate) brine weighted with Manganese Tetraoxide (Mn 3 O 4 ) as an alternate weighting material. This fluid was successfully applied in a number of deep wells, resulting in increased production rates, up to three times higher than the wells drilled with OBM. Damage to the reservoir was considerably reduced as the wells were easily activated. High quality image logs were also recorded which was not previously possible with OBM. K-Formate-Mn 3 O 4 fluid is a non-corrosive, biodegradable, environmentally friendly fluid, capable of long term storage without degradation of mud properties and recyclable, which reduces fluid cost in subsequent wells. This paper will review the case histories of twelve deep exploratory wells where the K-Formate-Mn 3 O 4 fluid was applied successfully. Issues including, high rheology encountered while increasing the mud weight using Mn 3 O 4 , fluid related complications in drilling and solutions developed to overcome the problems will be discussed in detail. Lessons learned in each deep high pressured well, mud loss scenarios and well control issues will be discussed.K-Formate-Mn 3 O 4 based drilling fluid has been highly successful in drilling high pressured Jurassic reservoirs in Kuwait. Following the success of the fluid in these wells, it is now being planned to apply in all future deep exploratory wells.

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The Mystery of Vanishing MWD/LWD Tools in Downhole: Interaction of Heavy WBM, Complex Petrophysical Formation Properties and Tool Metallurgy in Deep Kerogen-rich Carbonates

Cited by 2 publications

References 11 publications

Achievement of Maximum Mud Weights in K-Formate WBM with Micromax and Its Successful Implementations in Deep HPHT Wells

Achievement of Maximum Mud Weights in K-Formate WBM with Micromax and Its Successful Implementations in Deep HPHT Wells

Alternate Weighting Material for High Pressured Jurassic Wells in Kuwait - Case Histories of Successful K-Formate Mn3O4 Drilling Fluids

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