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A Comparative Study on The Effect of Different Water-Based Weighting Agents on Formation Damage
Abstract
Utilizing fluids in oil and gas drilling operations is unavoidable. Chemical properties of the fluid are critical, as they directly affect drilling performance and most importantly, formation damage in production zones. Most drilling fluids are largely composed of solids, particularly weighting materials, which increase density and control formation pressures. However, these weighting agents can also plug pores and cause formation damage leading to significantly reduced productivity and the need for remediation. The objective of this paper is twofold: to evaluate and compare solids invasion and damage characteristics of different weighting materials in water-based drilling fluids, and to study the solubility behavior of micronized ilmenite in different acid systems. Several fluid systems were prepared using weighting agents differing in size, morphology, and chemical nature: primarily API barite, micronized barite, and micronized ilmenite. Rheological properties were measured and high pressure/high-temperature static filtration experiments were conducted to investigate filtration behavior and filter cake thickness. A modified coreflood setup was used to simulate dynamic drilling conditions downhole and accurately measure the effect of solids on formation damage. Computed-tomography scan analysis provided the extent of the damage associated with each weighting agent. Experimental results showed that the formation damage created by micronized ilmenite is much lower, compared to API and micronized barite in both Bandera, Berea and Boise sandstones. HP/HT solubility reactions with different blends of acids were monitored. The best acid system was tested using the mudloop to ensure that it results in an effective breaker system to remediate damage from drilling operations.
Citation
Rady, Ayten (2022). A Comparative Study on The Effect of Different Water-Based Weighting Agents on Formation Damage. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /197115.