Aqueous Emulsified Consolidating Agents for Wellbore Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling muds damage producing formations and complicate completion processes when drilling into subterranean production zones, and existing consolidating agents require separate application post-drilling, which can lead to formation damage and increased clean-up costs.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous-based emulsified consolidating agents comprising a water-based consolidating emulsion with a hardenable resin, hardening agent, and emulsifying agent are used during drill-in operations to penetrate and consolidate unconsolidated particulates around the wellbore, providing stability and minimizing formation damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drilling mud is used to drill through non-producing formation, then cuttings removal and hydrostatic pressure are effective, but formation damage and completion complexity increase when reaching producing zones
Solution Approach 1:
The consolidating agent is incorporated into the drill-in fluid before drilling begins, enabling preliminary consolidation action on unconsolidated particulates as the wellbore is being drilled. This prevents formation damage proactively rather than requiring separate post-drilling treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines drilling fluid functionality with consolidating agent functionality into a single integrated drill-in fluid composition. The consolidating agent is merged with the aqueous-based drilling fluid, allowing simultaneous cuttings removal and formation consolidation without requiring separate application steps.
2Reliability
If separate consolidating agent application is performed post-drilling, then formation consolidation is achieved, but additional formation damage and clean-up costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The consolidating agent is applied preliminarily during the drilling operation itself, consolidating unconsolidated particulates before they can cause formation damage. This eliminates the need for separate post-drilling consolidation operations and prevents secondary formation damage from additional fluid invasion.
Solution Approach 2:
The consolidating action continues throughout the drilling process as the drill-in fluid circulates, providing continuous consolidation of unconsolidated particulates rather than a discrete post-drilling treatment. This ensures consistent formation stability without interruption.
3Productivity
If conventional drilling mud is used, then cuttings removal is effective, but post-drilling sand control operations are required increasing time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges drilling operations with consolidation operations by incorporating the consolidating agent into the drill-in fluid. This eliminates the need for separate sand control completion operations such as gravel packing or frac-packing, reducing overall project time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill-in fluid performs multiple functions simultaneously: it removes cuttings, provides hydrostatic pressure, and consolidates unconsolidated particulates. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized operations, streamlining the overall process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for in-situ consolidation during drilling, reducing the need for post-drilling sand control operations, maintaining wellbore integrity, and minimizing production losses by stabilizing the formation and maintaining high permeability.
Implementation Method 1
a water-based consolidating emulsion wherein the water-based consolidating emulsion comprises an aqueous liquid, a hardenable resin, a hardening agent component and an emulsifying agent
Implementation Method 2
a hardenable resin, a hardening agent component
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are described for drilling a wellbore through a production zone within a subterranean formation. Some of the methods use water-based consolidating emulsions that comprise an aqueous liquid and an emulsion comprising a hardening agent external phase and hardenable resin internal phase to drill along a production zone. Other methods use water-based consolidation emulsions that comprise a first emulsion comprising a hardenable resin internal phase and an aqueous external phase and a second emulsion comprising a hardening agent internal phase and an aqueous external phase to drill along a production zone.