International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

Evaluation of Effect of Different Concentrations of Shale on Rheological Properties of Water-Based Mud

    , , ,

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, NIGERIA
  • 2 POCEMAConsultants, Plot 6 Azunda Wobo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA

Res.J.chem.sci., Volume 2, Issue (10), Pages 13-19, October,18 (2012)

Abstract

Wellbore instability encountered while drilling shale formations is a worldwide problem. Despite much experience and considerable research, drilling and completion operations continue to be plagued by various hole problems attributed directly to shale formations. This results in substantial yearly expenditure for the drilling industry. There is utmost need to evaluate the concentration of shale contamination on mud that could result to these associated well instability problems. This study therefore was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of shale on the rheological properties of water- based mud(WBM). This was done by contaminating 8.5PPG WBM with 1.0%, 2.0%, 4.0%, 7.0% and 10.0% respectively of typical shale sample from the Nigerelta egion of Nigeria. The rheological values were determined using viscometer and the Plastic viscosity evaluated as applicable. Test results indicated that the rheological values increased showing a spike as the shale concentration increased. The increase in rheological values were 9.5%, 42.9%, 52.4%, 66.7% and 114.3% respectively for the various contaminations as indicated above. To avoid non-productive time resulting from hole instability problems caused by shale, when drilling is expected to encounter shale zones, proper design of the drilling fluids that will inhibit shale swelling as well as prudent step to avoid mud contamination by shale is imperative.

References

  1. Chenevert M.E., Shale Alteration by Water Adsorption, Journal of Petroleum Technology(1970)
  2. O'Brien D.E. and Chenevert M.E., Stabilizing sensitive shales with inhibited, potassium-based drilling fluids, J. Petrol. Tech., 1089-1100 (1973)
  3. AL-Bazali T.M., Zhang J., Chenevert M. E. and Sharma M., A rapid rigsite-deployable electrochemical test for evaluating the membrane potential of shales, Presented at the 2005 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, SPE 96098 (2005)
  4. Chenevert M.E. and Pernot V., Control of Shale Swelling Pressures Using Inhibitive Water Based Muds, SPE 49263 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, 27-30 (1998)
  5. Chenevert M.E. and Osisanya S.O., Shale Swelling at Elevated Temperature and Pressure, presented at the 33rd Symposium in Rock Mechanics, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 8-10 (1992)
  6. Zhang J., The Impact of Shale Properties on Wellbore Stability, University of Texas at Austin, (2005)
  7. Osisanya S.O., Experimental Studies Of Wellbore Stability in Shale Formations, Ph.D dissertation, The University of Texas at Austin, August (1991)
  8. Mody F.K. and Hale A.H., A Borehole Stability Model to Couple the Mechanics and Chemistry of Drilling Fluid Shale Interaction, SPE/IADC 25728, presented at the 1993 SPE/IADC Drilling Conference held in Amsterdam 23-25 February (1993)
  9. Osisanya S.O. and Chenevert M.E., Shale Characterization for Evaluating Shale-Drilling Fluid Interaction, The University of Oklahoma (1996)
  10. Van Oort E., Hole A.H., Mody F.K. and Roy S., Transport in shales and the design of improved water-based shale drilling fluids, SPE Drilling and Completion, SPE 28309, 137-146 (1996)
  11. Joel O.F. and Nwokoye C.U.,Performance Evaluation of local Bentonite with imported grade for utilization in oil field Operations in Nigeria, proceedings, 36th Annual SPE International Technical Conference and Exhibition, in Lagos, Nigeria, August 6-8 (2012)
  12. Reddy V., Venkateswara, Gnaneswar Kontham, Ramana Nelluru Venkataand Sashidhar Chundupalli, Effect of Potassium Chloride (KCl) on Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) concrete, Res. J. Chem. Sci., 1(2), 103-107 (2011)
  13. Joel O.F. and Ademiluyi F.T., Modeling of Compressive Strength of Cement Slurry at Different Slurry Weights and Temperatures, Res.J.Chem.SC, 1(2), 127-133 (2011)