Dry Drilling Fluid Additives for Pumpability and Cuttings Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variations in the concentration of drilling fluid additives can decrease the efficiency of drilling operations, leading to issues such as increased energy requirements, unpumpable fluids, and ineffective cuttings removal, which can cause cessation of drilling fluid circulation.
Innovation Solution
A dry mixture comprising clay stabilizers, dispersants, and surfactants, pre-blended in specific proportions, is used to create a robust drilling fluid additive that reduces operator error, minimizes shipping and storage needs, and offers environmental and operational advantages by reducing foaming and toxicity, while being certified for use in drinking water systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drilling fluid is prepared with too high of a viscosity, then the drilling fluid may become unpumpable after incorporating drilling cuttings, but reducing viscosity may cause the drilling fluid to not effectively remove cuttings from the wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using viscosity-modifying polymers that allow the drilling fluid to maintain optimal viscosity across varying conditions. The polymers enable the fluid to have sufficient viscosity for cuttings removal while remaining pumpable, resolving the contradiction between pumpability and cuttings removal efficiency through chemical parameter modification of the drilling fluid.
2Productivity
If the concentration of drilling fluid additives is increased to improve drilling efficiency, then the viscosity increases, but the energy required to pump the fluid and trip the drill string increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses viscosity-modifying polymers to change the rheological parameters of the drilling fluid, allowing it to maintain high drilling efficiency with lower additive concentrations. The polymers modify the fluid's flow characteristics to reduce the energy penalty associated with pumping, resolving the contradiction between drilling efficiency and pumping energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If liquid surfactants are used in drilling fluids, then the drilling fluid can be formulated with desired properties, but the surfactants may foam the drilling fluid excessively and could be toxic to marine life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of surfactants from liquid to solid form. Solid surfactants provide the necessary formulation flexibility while reducing foaming tendencies and improving environmental compatibility, resolving the contradiction between formulation versatility and harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of surfactant foaming into a benefit by using solid surfactants that provide formulation flexibility without excessive foaming. The solid state transformation turns a potentially harmful liquid surfactant into a beneficial additive that maintains drilling fluid performance while reducing environmental toxicity and foaming issues.
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
The dry mixture enhances drilling fluid management, reduces pump damage, minimizes environmental impact, and maintains effective circulation and cuttings removal, ensuring efficient drilling operations in various wellbore angles and lithologies.
Implementation Method 1
Viscosifying polymers have been used in an effort to maintain a desired viscosity
Implementation Method 2
a dispersant at about 3% to about 6% by weight of the dry mixture
Implementation Method 3
a surfactant at about 4% to about 18% by weight of the dry mixture
Data Source
AI summary
Dry drilling fluid additives may include a dry mixture that comprises a clay stabilizing agent at about 76% to about 93% by weight of the dry mixture, a dispersant at about 3% to about 6% by weight of the dry mixture, and a surfactant at about 4% to about 18% by weight of the dry mixture. Such dry drilling fluid additives may be useful in methods and systems for drilling wellbore penetrating subterranean formations, especially deviated and highly-deviated wellbores.