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3 RPM and 6 RPM
3 RPM and 6 RPM
Drilling Fluids for ERD: Rheology Requires More Than a Quick Look
Valentin Visinescu and Mario Bouguetta, M-I SWACO, A Schlumberger Company
Abstract
Invert emulsions fluids are the preferred system for
extended-reach drilling (ERD). They provide superior
wellbore stabilization of shale and salt intervals, lubrication,
corrosion control, tolerance to contaminants, and yield
preferentially oil-wet cuttings with good integrity. In ERD
wells, the cuttings may be difficult to remove from the
wellbore when fluids with inappropriate viscosity are used.
Rheological properties such as yield point (YP) and
FANN 35 viscometer 6-rpm dial reading (6-rpm reading) are
still considered good indicators for hole cleaning capability of
the drilling fluid. Many operators have ERD hole cleaning
guidelines that call for minimum values for YP and 6-rpm
reading. However, the temperature and pressure effects on
rheological properties of the fluid are sometimes overlooked
and rheological properties at only one temperature (either
120F or 150F) are measured and evaluated.
Low-clay and clay-free invert systems relying on
polymeric additives and rheology modifiers provide better
rheological profile and improved hole cleaning when
compared to conventional emulsion fluids. Nevertheless, using
thermally or shear-activated polymeric additives and rheology
modifiers to reach the required values for YP and 6-rpm
reading sometimes leads to overtreatment with unfavorable
effects on hole cleaning.
This paper provides a case history where managing drilling
fluid rheological properties led to a record well being drilled
trouble free in record time.
Introduction
Removal of cuttings from the wellbore is crucial for a
successful drilling operation. Improper hole cleaning can
result in a number of drilling problems including over-pull on
trips, high rotary torque, hole packoffs and stuck pipe.
Optimizing hole cleaning in ERD wells involves
integrating a good well plan, with good fluid properties, and
good drilling practices followed by careful rig site monitoring.
Rheological properties such as yield point (YP) and the 6rpm reading are still considered good indicators for the hole
cleaning capability of the drilling fluid. Multiple operators
have ERD hole cleaning guidelines that call for minimum
values for 6-rpm reading of 1.0 1.2 times the hole size in
inches.
24
20
18
120
120
120
150
150
150
150
150
200
200
200
200
200
200
250
250
250
250
250
300
300
300
300
300
0
1000
2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
13
16
19
19
23
27
32
38
26
29
33
38
44
50
29
32
36
40
44
23
26
28
31
34
28
26
25
37
35
33
32
30
42
40
39
38
36
35
36
35
34
33
32
28
27
26
26
25
52
56
60
41
44
46
49
52
32
33
35
36
38
40
28
29
30
31
33
25
26
27
28
29
YP
(lb/10
0 ft2)
15
12
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Gel Strength
2
(lb/100 ft )
1010sec
min
PV
(cP)
PV (cP)
YP (lb/100 ft2)
6-rpm Dial Reading (Fann 35)
Desired Range
Low
High
6
rpm
Property
Press
ure
(psi)
Field Application
In a recent ERD application, a freshly mixed fluid was
employed. The rheological properties required for good hole
cleaning while building the directional section are presented in
Table 1.
AADE-13-FTCE-27
Test
Num
25
23
22
20
19
17
15
12
15
14
13
12
10
7
12
11
9
8
6
11
10
9
8
6
16
25
33
19
25
33
41
51
24
29
34
39
46
55
33
37
43
48
54
38
42
46
50
56
AADE-13-FTCE-27
Drilling fluids for ERD: Rheology Requires More Than a Quick Look
120
120
120
150
150
150
150
150
200
200
200
200
200
200
250
250
250
250
250
300
300
300
300
300
0
1000
2000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
10
10
11
10
10
11
11
11
10
10
10
11
11
11
9
10
10
10
11
9
9
9
10
10
22
17
13
19
15
12
10
8
16
14
12
10
8
7
12
11
9
8
7
11
10
9
8
7
47
37
30
37
31
26
22
18
28
24
21
19
16
14
20
18
16
14
13
17
15
14
13
12
YP
(lb/10
0 ft2)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Gel Strength
(lb/100 ft2)
1010sec
min
PV
(cP)
6
rpm
Temp
(F)
Test
Num
26
27
30
20
21
23
23
25
14
15
16
17
18
19
11
12
13
14
15
9
10
10
11
12
19
20
18
17
17
16
18
17
16
16
16
16
16
16
18
18
18
18
18
21
21
22
22
22
AADE-13-FTCE-27
Conclusions
Measuring and reporting the rheological properties for oilbased drilling fluids at only one temperature may provide
misleading information. Using these values for hydraulics
calculations could render a distorted image of the downhole