Swellable Elastomer Wellbore Fluids for Fluid Loss Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore drilling fluids face challenges such as fluid loss, formation damage, and wellbore instability due to high viscosity, leading to increased costs and reduced drilling efficiency, particularly in aqueous-based fluids.
Innovation Solution
The use of swellable elastomer particulates, including recycled rubber materials and latex-based additives, in wellbore fluids to form a filter cake and seal wellbore walls, reducing fluid loss and maintaining stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional wellbore fluids are used to lubricate drill bits and carry cuttings, then drilling operations can be performed, but fluid loss into the formation occurs causing lost circulation and reduced wellbore stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastomer-based particulates as an intermediary substance added to the wellbore fluid. These particulates act as a mediator between the drilling fluid and the formation, forming a filter cake that selectively blocks fluid loss pathways while allowing the drilling operation to continue efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the wellbore fluid by incorporating elastomer-based particulates with specific characteristics (size, composition, swelling properties). This parameter change transforms the fluid's interaction with the formation, enabling it to form an effective seal without compromising drilling efficiency.
2Loss of substance
If wellbore strengthening solutions are used to prevent fluid loss, then fluid loss is reduced, but the fluid viscosity increases causing damage to the wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer-based particulates provide local quality enhancement by forming a concentrated filter cake at the wellbore wall interface where fluid loss occurs. This localized action prevents fluid loss without requiring the entire wellbore fluid to have increased viscosity, thereby avoiding wellbore damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material principles by combining elastomer-based particulates with the existing wellbore fluid formulation. This composite approach creates a multi-phase system where the particulates provide sealing functionality while the base fluid maintains appropriate rheological properties for wellbore integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If aqueous-based fluids are used for drilling, then environmental impacts are reduced and cost is lowered, but wellbore stability is compromised due to fluid loss
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer-based particulates provide self-service functionality by automatically forming a filter cake in response to pressure differential across the wellbore wall. This self-regulating mechanism prevents fluid loss and stabilizes the wellbore without requiring external intervention or complex control systems, making the aqueous-based fluid system viable for maintaining wellbore stability.
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 solution effectively prevents fluid loss, maintains wellbore stability, and enhances drilling efficiency by forming a seal on the borehole wall, reducing fluid infiltration into the formation.
Implementation Method 1
The filter cake formed by the elastomer-based particulates absorbs formation fluids
Implementation Method 2
The particulates form a filter cake that seals the wellbore walls, reducing fluid loss
Implementation Method 3
swellable elastomer particulates
Data Source
AI summary
Wellbore fluid additives, wellbore fluids comprising said additives, and methods of using said wellbore fluids reduce or prevent fluid losses and/or effectively seal wellbores during wellbore drilling operations. The wellbore fluid additives comprise at least one polymer-based fluid loss or wellbore sealant additive comprising swellable rubber-based elastomer particulates, swellable latex-based elastomer particles, or a combination thereof. The wellbore fluids comprise an aqueous base fluid, one or more weighting agents, and the at least one polymer-based fluid loss or wellbore sealant additive and has a density of at least about 9 ppg and no more than about 24 ppg.