| How
does this technology differ from standard fluid systems?
|
By incorporating the various features associated with a high
LSRV base fluid, alkaline pH and aphrons this fluid technology
delivers the highest performance benefits of any known drilling,
workover or completions fluids in the industry.
Unlike conventional fluids that by design are intended to
dewater (deposit a solids bridge and / or filtercake) the
invasion control aphron fluid technologies drastically limit
the amount of free water available for feeding high capillary
forces associated with low porosity and low pressure formations.
The enhanced LSRV features of the aphron fluid technologies
out perform conventional reservoir drill-in fluids (RDF) with
the ability to easily function with standard well site drilling
equipment at LSRV’s well above 120,000 cP. This means
ideal hole cleaning, minimal erosion, controlled whole mud
invasion in fractured environments, no cuttings bed build
up in high angle bores and optimized performance of the surface
solids removal equipment.
The alkaline base fluid mitigates corrosion, imparts inhibition
and optimizes system components performance.
The aphrons offer solids free micro-environment sealing that
mitigates differential sticking and does not require stimulation
for well clean-up. This seal enables the use of full density
fluids in very low pressure environments. In the correct application
this can mean the elimination of a casing string. This can
change the economics of a mature marginal field.
Coupling and ARC micro-emulsion package provides control of
surface tension build up associated with water saturation
alteration driven by high capillary force environments. By
controlling these surface tensions the capillary end force
pressure is mitigated allowing the exposed reservoir to self
clean up under its own pressure thus optimizing your reservoirs
production potential.
The use of ARC formats where higher density fluids are required
brings added benefits of no solids weighted fluids, increased
inhibition, further increased alkaline base fluid benefits
and differential sticking control.
With all of this in a single package why would you expose
your reservoir to anything less?
| What
sort of equipment do I need to use this fluid system? |
Standard well site drilling equipment is the norm for the
aphron fluid technologies. When candidate applications suggest
the need for very high LSRV’s (150,000 cP) or the use
of saturated brines for base fluids ARC suggests the use of
a high shear or cavitating mixer. In such instances ARC has
a product line available for your consideration. Otherwise,
a standard mud hopper is all that is required for building
the system.
ARC suggests the use of sufficient screening equipment to
enable the use of 175 mesh screens (preferably 210 –
225 mesh) with no more than 70 % of the screening surface
area being covered at the desired circulating rate.
The use of a centrifuge to aid in the control of fines build
up is also suggested.
NOTE: All standard rig and drilling equipment function
well with the aphron fluid technologies. MWD, LWD, PWD, electric
logging tools, etc. have been used many times without incident.
Depending on the application the following well construction
benefits can be received.
- No differential sticking
- Optimized rig time
- Minimized risk
- Optimized target achievement
- Minimized whole mud losses
- Optimized logistics
- Optimized reservoir clean up
- Optimized rig time
- Optimized reservoir production potential by:
- Controlling surface tension forces within high capillary
force environments
- Controlled cuttings (solids) loading of fractures
- Mitigated phase blocking
- Well design benefits:
- Eliminate casing string(s)
- Expand tight drill windows
- Optimize high angle, horizontal and multiple leg well
construction
- Can eliminate the need for costly UBD or coiled tubing
- Drilling observations:
- 15 % reduction is pump pressure at equivalent circulating
rates with conventional fluids
- 3 %+ reduction in torques and drag compared to similar
well profiles with conventional waterbase fluids
- Equivalent penetration rates
- Excellent hole cleaning
- Workover observations:
- Mitigate losses with a solids free workover fluid
- Allow the use of a full density fluid in depleted
wells
- Eliminate the need for costly equipment needs such
as coiled tubing or UBD.
- Provide a safe working environment
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