DRILLING AND COMPLETION FLUIDS
By: Jum’an
While an oil well is being drilled, specific drilling fluid
is pumped down the drill pipes and circulated back through the annulus to flush
out the rock cuttings, cool and lubricate the drilling bit, and maintain pressure
so that oil or gas does not escape. Completion fluid is specialized liquid -typically
brine solution- placed in the well to facilitate final operations prior to
initiation of production, to control subsurface pressure as well as to minimize
formation damage during completion and workover operations. Most of the professionals working in this upstream
(exploration and production) sector of the oil industry are drilling/completion
engineers and the production specialists. They are highly skilled on drilling,
completing and production of oil well, but usually have inadequate knowledge of
the chemistry aspects of drilling and completion of a well. The composition and properties
of Drilling and Completion Fluids play important role in the success of
a well. While the average cost drilling fluid amounts less than 10% of the total
cost to drill a well, the success and failure of the well may depend on the
optimization of the fluids used. Lacks of knowledge in chemical composition and
properties of the fluids may result in soaring cost or even a total
failure.
An important guide to
successfully utilize the drilling and completion fluids in the oil exploration
and production has been written by three prominent experts in this field. The late George R. Gray PhD a
pioneer in the development of drilling fluids technology, once Director and
Vice President of SPE and held positions within the American Petroleum
Institute (API). The late H.C.H. Darley,
a member of the Institute of Petroleum in London, active within SPE and a Researcher
for Shell for 25 years. Ryen Caenn
specializes in the technology transfer for all aspects of drilling and
completion fluids technologies. He has worked in the industry for over 40 years
including over 28 years as consultant to oil companies, fluid service
companies, and chemical manufacturers. He currently conducts training sessions
worldwide on drilling fluid technology and is active in AADE, SPE, and API
Committees.
They are authors of a book
considered the bible of Drilling Fluids Industry titled Composition and
Properties of Drilling and Completion Fluids. This book is an essential tool to achieving
successful outcome of the wellbore. The content is regularly updated since its
first publication up to the current Sixth Edition. This last edition includes new information on technology, economic, and
political issues that have affected the use of drilling and completion
fluids. Also explains a countless new products and fluid systems. It
covers the latest API/SI standards. It includes new R&D on water-based
muds. It places new emphases on Health, Safety & Environment (HSE). It also
includes new chapter on Waste Management and Disposal.
Composition and
Properties of Drilling and Completion Fluids is highly recommended
for
Drilling engineers,
drilling rig supervisors, drilling managers, operating company personnel, and
service company personnel
