Session: 11-02-03 Well Drilling Fluids & Hydraulics

Paper Number: 125567

125567 - Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Various Types of Polymers Based Latexes for Water Based Drilling Fluids Applications 

Polymer based latex chemicals are primarily used as fluid loss additive in drilling fluids. They are used to prepare a thin filter cake on the wellbore formation and reduce filtrate loss into the formation. A thin filter cake reduces or eliminates incidences of differential stuck drill pipes. Differential sticking is a problem that occurs when drilling a well with a greater well bore pressure than formation pressure. This causes the drill pipe to be pressed against the wellbore wall so that part of its circumference will see only reservoir pressure, while the rest will continue to be pushed by wellbore pressure.

            The objective of this study is to look into two different polymer latexes for the use of water-based drilling fluids applications. The first polymer is based on Styrene-butadiene latex. The second polymer is based on Polyvinyl Acetate emulsion, (PVA). 

            Analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to help in elucidating the structures and physical properties of different latexes. Tests such as for density, rheology, HT/HP filtration and thermal stability were conducted to compare the performance of different latexes in drilling fluid formulations.

            Intensive analytical and performance evaluation were done on different types of latexes to find proper way of latex optimization for application for water-based drillings fluids. Styrene butadiene polymer latex outperforms several polymers due to the strong anionic interaction with formation compared to other mechanisms.

Presenting Author: Sara Almulhim saudi aramco

Presenting Author Biography: Sara Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from Colorado School of Mines in May 2023.

During her time in Mines, she worked on Seating Selection Design, Wellbore Trajectory Determination, Risk Analysis, Well Characterization and Pay Zone Determination, and FDP Projects. Observed Reservoir Systems Communications and Geological Formations during Mines Petroleum field session in May 2022.

Authors:

Abdullah Alyami KFUPM
Majad Khan KFUPM
Muhammed Tahir KFUPM
Vikrant Wagle Saudi Aramco
Ali Alsafran saudi aramco
Sara Almulhim saudi aramco