Session: 11-02-02-Well Drilling Fluids and Hydraulics-2

Paper Number: 104418

104418 - Lab Development and Field Deployment of Novel High Molecular Weight Polyamine-Based Shale Inhibitor for Water-Based Drilling Fluids 

When encountering shale during drilling operations, water in the drilling fluid may interact with the clay materials within the formation, causing the shale to swell. This can lead to instability in the wellbore and dispersion of shale into the drilling fluid, eventually leading to hole washout. This may also have an adverse impact on the mud properties due to the excess amount of solids in the mud system. This paper describes the lab development and field deployment of a novel high-molecular weight polyamine-based shale inhibitor designed especially for water-based drilling fluids. This polyamine due to the presence of several active amine groups shows enhanced binding capability towards shale/bentonite thereby resulting in enhanced shale inhibition.

The paper describes different tests performed to evaluate the shale inhibition behavior of the high-molecular weight polyamine. Different tests viz. bentonite hydration inhibition test, bentonite sedimentation test, shale erosion test, dynamic linear swelling test and zeta potential test were performed on the shale inhibitor and its performance was then subsequently compared to conventional shale inhibitors. This paper also describes the results of different 90pcf medium-density water-based drilling fluids formulated with the shale inhibitor and hot rolled at 150^oF. The effect of high-molecular weight polyamine on the rheological and filtration properties of the drilling fluids has been studied. The paper also describes the lab and field performance of 73pcf water-based drilling fluid used to drilling 16” shale section with good results.

Bentonite hydration inhibition tests, sedimentation tests, shale erosion tests, swelling tests and zeta potential test results showed that the shale inhibitor acts as good hydration suppressant and helps to stabilize the shale cuttings thereby preventing them from disintegrating. The developed shale inhibitor showed no adverse effect on the rheological and filtration properties of the mud and works in a variety of drilling fluids. Field tests results showed that the high-molecular weight polyamine significantly improved the inhibition and drilling performance of the water-based drilling fluid. Moreover, it showed better shale inhibition in comparison to the water-based drilling fluid system employing conventional shale inhibitors.

Presenting Author: Vikrant Wagle Saudi Aramco

Presenting Author Biography: Vikrant Wagle is working as Science Specialist with EXPEC ARC, Saudi Aramco. He has done Ph.D. from University Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India. He works in the area of development of new drilling fluids and cementing additives and systems.

Authors:

Vikrant Wagle Saudi Aramco
Abdullah Alyami Saudi Aramco
Ali Safran Saudi Aramco
Sara Alkhalaf Saudi Aramco