Drilling Fluid Characterization (Filtration Test)

Year : 2024 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 02 | Page : 17 26
    By

    U B Abdullahi,

  • Ekperi Nelson Ibezim,

  • U B Abdullahi,

  1. Assistant Lecturer, Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
  2. Research Scholar, Department of Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  3. Student, Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom

Abstract

This report explores the formulation and testing of a water-based drilling mud used in drilling operations, where fluid circulates through the drillstring and returns to the surface. The study mixes 315 ml of water with 35 ml of corn oil to create the drilling mud and investigates the role of barite in increasing mud density to maintain a hydrostatic pressure capable of managing formation pressure. The findings reveal that increasing barite from 15g to at least 27g is necessary to sustain a formation gradient of 0.561 psi/ft, effectively preventing formation fluid influx and loss of circulation. A filtration analysis assesses the filtrate volume loss to shale over 30 minutes for two samples: one without a filtration control agent (Mud B) and another with PAC as an additive (Sample C). Mud B shows a filtrate volume of 12.2 ml, while Sample C, with PAC, exhibits a reduced volume of 4.8 ml, marking a 61% reduction. PAC significantly reduces filtrate invasion, controls mud thickening, and prevents shale damage, as evidenced by thinner filter cakes—3mm for Mud B and 2mm for Sample C. Spurt loss measurements for samples B and C differ by nearly 10%. The study recommends further research into pore plugging and particulate sizing for effective drilling fluid management and cost reduction. Additionally, it suggests comparative performance analyses between oil-based and water-based fluids to enhance understanding and efficiency in drilling operations.

Keywords: Drilling Fluid, Filtration Test, Bentonite, Barite, Polyanionic Cellulose PAC, pH, Mud density, filter cake

[This article belongs to Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology ]

How to cite this article:
U B Abdullahi, Ekperi Nelson Ibezim, U B Abdullahi. Drilling Fluid Characterization (Filtration Test). Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology. 2024; 14(02):17-26.
How to cite this URL:
U B Abdullahi, Ekperi Nelson Ibezim, U B Abdullahi. Drilling Fluid Characterization (Filtration Test). Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology. 2024; 14(02):17-26. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopet/article=2024/view=191131


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
Issue 02
Received 14/08/2024
Accepted 29/08/2024
Published 05/09/2024
212

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