Barite Nano-Micro Particles with LCM Seals Fractured Form Better in Weighted Water Based Drilling Fluids

Abstract

Lost circulation is a typical condition during drilling in naturally-fractured, induced-fractured, and high-permeability formations, which could result in a kick and/or blowout. In this research, lost circulation materials (LCM) in combination with other fluid loss control (FLC) additives with a small amount of barite nanoparticles in a weighted water based drilling fluid were used to investigate the plugging capabilities of the mixtures. A high pressure LCM testing apparatus was used to evaluate the performance of three different water-based drilling fluids in sealing a slotted/tapered disc. For this testing, barite nano-micro particles were prepared chemically and mechanically, and substituted API barite replacing 3% by total sample weight in the base case. Ground nutshells were used in the formulated water based drilling fluid systems to increase the sealing capability. Based on the results, the combination of both 142 gr/lit (50-ppb) nutshells and barite nano-micro particles resulted in higher sealing pressure than other LCM treated drilling fluids. Using nano-micro particles in conjunction with the nutshells improved the sealing pressure more than 205 % using the mechanically generated nanoparticles as compared to the base case. The paper discusses the potential reasoning behind the large increase in the sealing pressure.

Meeting Name

50th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium (2016: Jun. 26-29, Houston, TX)

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Barite; Nanoparticles; Risk Management; Rock Mechanics; Fluid-Loss Control; High Permeability Formation; Lost Circulation Materials; Micro Particles; Sealing Pressure; Testing Apparatus; Water Based Drilling Fluids

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-1510828025

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2016 American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jun 2016

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