Drilling Fluid Additive Network Modeling for Pore Bridging

Solution Overview

Problem

Drilling fluids used in subterranean operations often fail to match the specific properties of the subterranean environment, leading to formation damage and fluid loss due to improper formulation of lost circulation materials, which can cause fractures and allow formation fluids to enter the wellbore, resulting in blowouts.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a particle plugging apparatus and a lost circulation material analyzer to test and modify drilling fluids by generating a network model of the formation's pore networks, allowing for the formulation of effective lost circulation materials that can bridge pores and prevent further damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lost circulation material particles are made smaller to better plug formation pores, then plugging effectiveness is improved, but hydrostatic pressure on the formation increases causing secondary fractures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplugging effectivenessVSAvoidhydrostatic pressure increase

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines optimal particle size parameters by analyzing formation pore network characteristics. It changes the particle size parameter from generic values to formation-specific values, balancing plugging effectiveness with acceptable hydrostatic pressure increases. The system outputs a recommended particle size range that is tailored to the specific formation being drilled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different particle size recommendations for different formation types and pore structures. Rather than using a universal particle size, it tailors the particle size characteristics to match the local formation characteristics, ensuring optimal performance for each specific geological environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If lost circulation material particles are made larger to reduce hydrostatic pressure, then formation damage from pressure is reduced, but plugging effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrostatic pressureVSAvoidplugging effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines optimal particle size parameters by analyzing formation pore network characteristics. It changes the particle size parameter from generic values to formation-specific values, balancing plugging effectiveness with acceptable hydrostatic pressure increases. The system outputs a recommended particle size range that is tailored to the specific formation being drilled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If drilling fluid formulation is generalized for broad applicability, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to specific subterranean environments decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling fluid formulation simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental suitability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of formation characteristics (pore size, pore shape, pore connectivity) before drilling operations begin. This advance characterization allows drilling fluid formulations to be pre-optimized for specific formation types, eliminating the need for trial-and-error adjustments during drilling and improving both ease of operation and environmental adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines optimal particle size parameters by analyzing formation pore network characteristics. It changes the particle size parameter from generic values to formation-specific values, balancing plugging effectiveness with acceptable hydrostatic pressure increases. The system outputs a recommended particle size range that is tailored to the specific formation being drilled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11492858B2Estimating three dimensional networks of plugs for drilling fluid additives

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

The effect of drilling fluids on particular subterranean environments can be analyzed to improve the formation of drilling fluids and additives such as lost circulation materials. A plug can be generated by a particle plugging apparatus by injecting lost circulation material into the particle plugging apparatus. A set of tests to be performed on the plug can be identified. The set of tests can include at least one physical test and at least one electronic test. A test schedule indicating the order in which each test of the set of tests is to be performed can be defined. The set of tests can be executed to generate a testing output. The testing output can be used to generate a three-dimensional network model of the plug.