Viscosity of the Workover Fluid FAPX

Abstract

The physical properties of workover fluids are important in the success of workover operations, in particular, emulsion stability and viscosity. In this work these properties have been investigated using a direct emulsion of oil in water. Three emulsifiers were analyzed and their effects on emulsion stability have been measured both in terms of surface tension decrease and their hydrophilic-lypophilic behavior. An extensive investigation on viscosity was carried out under laboratory conditions and the results reported as isokoms in ternary diagrams. The experimental results were analyzed in terms of an Arrhenius-type equation. It is concluded that small changes in composition lead to large changes in the viscous properties of the workover fluid.