Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Table of Contents
I. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2
A. Displacement Objectives.............................................................................................. 2
II. Pre-Displacement Considerations ....................................................................................... 4
A. Cleaning the Wellbore.................................................................................................. 4
B. Indirect versus Direct Displacement............................................................................. 6
C. Forward versus Reverse Circulation ............................................................................ 7
D. Scrapers and Brushes ............................................................................................... 10
E. Conditioning the Mud System .................................................................................... 10
F. Surface Pits and Equipment Cleanup ........................................................................ 10
G. Spacer Systems......................................................................................................... 11
H. Completion Types ...................................................................................................... 12
III. Indirect Displacement Guide. Cased Hole Only................................................................ 15
A. Water-Base System (WBM) to PERFFLOW® or Brine................................................ 15
B. Oil-Base/Synthetic-Base System to PERFFLOW® or Brine ........................................ 16
IV. Direct Displacement Guide. Open-Hole (OH) or Cased Hole (CH) Applications ............... 19
A. PERFFLOW® to Brine. Open-Hole Displacement...................................................... 19
B. Water-Base System to Brine. Cased Hole Displacement. ......................................... 20
C. Synthetic-Base System. Displacement/Cleanup. ...................................................... 21
D. Diesel or Mineral Oil Systems. Cased Hole Displacement. ....................................... 23
V. Other Displacement and Completion Considerations ........................................................ 26
A. Cement Spacer for Oil or Synthetic Systems. Aqueous Spacer System.................... 26
B. Pipe Pickling .............................................................................................................. 26
C. Horizontal Healer Pills (LCM Pill Before Gravel Pack)................................................ 27
D. Post Gravel Pack Pill Formulations (Inside Screens) ................................................. 28
E. On-Site Monitoring Equipment ................................................................................... 28
F. Quick Reference Displacement Products................................................................... 29
VI. Appendix........................................................................................................................... 32
VII. References ....................................................................................................................... 38
1
Displacement Guidelines
I. Introduction
During the drill-in phase, wellbore sections become exposed to mud and mud particles.
Drilled solids become attached to the casing and become a part of the filter cake.
Regardless of the type of completion, these foreign particles, if not removed from the
wellbore, may damage the reservoir and the completion assembly. Some completion
methods require a more thorough cleansing process than others may. For example, the
displacement of an oil-base drilling fluid to a PERFFLOW® DIF drill-in fluid from a drilling
liner set just above the reservoir requires an efficient displacement to avoid contamination of
the PERFFLOW®. However, if a water-base fluid were being displaced and followed with
PERFFLOW®, intensive displacement and clean up measures would not be required
because water-base systems are not as difficult to clean up as oil or synthetic systems.
This “Best Practices” guide is intended to help you decide which displacement procedure to
use for a particular field operation. The procedures given in this document are generalized
recommendations; your particular application may warrant modifications to fit your specific
situation.
A. Displacement Objectives
The basic displacement objectives are the same regardless of the completion type or
procedures used. For example, if a drilling fluid is being displaced to PERFFLOW®,
contamination of the drill-in fluid may occur and spacers must be incorporated to avoid
fluid intermingling. Likewise, when a drilling fluid or drill-in fluid is displaced to clear
brine, the solids-free brine may become contaminated and thus, require lengthy
filtration process.
A successful displacement should accomplish the following:
1. Remove mud and unwanted debris from the open-hole, casing and/or riser.
2. Maintain the integrity of the mud and completion fluid interface.
3. Minimize rig time.
4. Minimize brine filtration and expense.
5. Minimize waste and disposal costs.
6. Minimize the need for stimulation and promote a clean, undamaged and
productive wellbore.
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Displacement Guidelines
Section II.
Pre-Displacement Considerations
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Displacement Guidelines
Drill-in Static
Fluid Filter Cake
Cuttings
Bed
Filter Cake
Formation
Figure 1.
This is typically achievable with a 1.5-ppb xanthan gum system. To further ensure a
piston-like displacement, the density should be ~0.1 to 0.2 ppg heavier than the drill-in
fluid.
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Displacement Guidelines
Once the drill-in fluid has been displaced, the filter cake must be scoured. Figure 2
illustrates this process. Critical to the success of hole cleaning is to maximize the fluid
velocity near the wellbore wall. For this reason it is important to fully maintain turbulent
flow if possible. To assist in remaining turbulent, low viscosity fluids are desired for
this process. While low viscosity fluids help to maximize velocity near the wall, it is
commonly assumed that their use also makes it somewhat more difficult to remove
solids from the wellbore. To carry solids completely out of the wellbore, elevated flow
velocities are required.
Scouring of the Filter Cake
Figure 2.
1,2,3,4
Numerous laboratory studies have been conducted concerning the flow velocity
required to completely remove drill solids from a high-angle wellbore. Most of this
work was carried out in a wellbore simulator model at the University of Tulsa during the
time period from the mid-1970’s to mid-1990. The general findings from all of these
studies indicate that there is a critical velocity (CTFV-Critical Transport Fluid Velocity)
that must be exceeded to ensure a complete sweep of the wellbore. If the fluid
velocity is below this value (SCFF – Sub-Critical Fluid Flow)1, cuttings will start to
accumulate in the wellbore. This accumulation continues until the flow velocity over
the top of the cuttings bed exceeds the CTFV, at which time an equilibrium condition is
created.
It has been determined that through these testing programs, the most difficult wellbore
angle to clean is between 65º and 75º. However, the increase in required flow velocity
only varies slightly over the complete range of well deviations for 55º to 90º. Since the
transport mechanism changes from rolling to lift, studies indicate that the critical
velocity is significantly lower at wellbore deviations from vertical to about 50º.
Figure 3, taken from Larsen et al1, indicates that for all well deviations from 55º to 90º,
water had a CTFV of approximately 4.5 ft/sec. This value is actually lower than the 5.5
ft/sec measured for an 8.7 ppg drilling fluid. This result was later confirmed by
additional testing by others in the industry2. To summarize, it was observed in flow
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Displacement Guidelines
loop simulations that the removal of a cuttings bed with a viscosified fluid was in fact
detrimental in high angle wellbores (assuming zero to low drill pipe rotation), and that
low viscosity fluids are more beneficial.
Critical Transport Fluid Velocity (ft/sec)
6.00
5.50
5.00
4.50
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
Experiment Water Experiment Mud
0.50
Predicted Water Predicted Mud
0.00
55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
Angle (deg)
Figure 3.
Based on these studies and in-house work, Baker Oil Tools5 has settled on a number
of 5 ft/sec (300 ft/min) as the recommended flow velocity to clean an open-hole prior to
screen placement. In addition, this displacement rate has been tested and proved
effective in numerous field applications before screen and gravel placement. There is
another consideration for displacing at high annular velocities before an open-hole
gravel pack application. If a wellbore “sees” a 300-ft/min flow rate during the brine
displacement, then when the gravel is pumped at 300 ft/min along a horizontal
wellbore, the gravel will not pick up and move large amounts of debris along the flow
path. On the other hand, if debris is left in the hole, the gravel placement may be
impeded by the debris, possibly resulting in incomplete gravel placement.
B. Indirect versus Direct Displacement
There are two general types of displacement used in the oil patch today. One is an
indirect displacement and the other is a direct displacement. Each type has its
advantages and disadvantages.
1. Indirect Displacement
An indirect displacement is usually associated with a displacement of the mud
system to seawater (or drill water) in a drilling liner or production casing before
displacing to the next fluid system.
For example, if oil-based drilling mud is used to drill down to the production zone
where a liner is set, the operator may wish to displace and clean the pipe with
seawater before displacing to a water-based drill-in fluid. The seawater would be
preceded by a series of spacers and solvents to clean and water-wet the casing.
With this method, a thorough cleansing can occur with minimal product usage due
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Displacement Guidelines
to the circulation of inexpensive water. Later, the displacement to the clean, drill-
in fluid will occur without contamination.
For indirect displacements, a good cement bond log is necessary because high
differential pressures on the casing could cause a breakdown of cement or
collapse of the casing.
Indirect displacements may also be recommended for the production casing. In
this instance, the drill-in fluid would be displaced to drill-water before finally being
displaced to clear brine. Caution must also be exercised in this displacement
because a possible reduction in hydrostatic pressure across the production
interval could lead to casing collapse.
Improved direct displacement techniques (specialized spacers) and increased
daily rig costs have reduced the use of indirect displacements. The following
scenarios are instances where an indirect displacement may have the best
application.
a) Riser Displacement
Displacing and cleaning the riser in a deepwater application before displacing
mud from the deeper intervals can be a good idea. Due to its large capacity
and the need for large spacers, large volumes of seawater and nominal
volumes of specialized chemical spacers will clean mud from a riser. In this
example, the blind rams would be closed to prevent communication with the
fluids below the riser. Waiting to clean the riser with the spacers from the
smaller diameter sections can be less effective unless special procedures
and chemicals are used. Direct riser displacements of oil or synthetic muds
from risers will be covered in detail later in this manual.
b) Oil or Synthetic Base Muds (OBM/SBM) to PERFFLOW® in Casing
When displacing CARBO-DRILL® or SYN-TEQ® from a drilling liner to
PERFFLOW® DIF, oil and oily cuttings can contaminate the drill-in fluid. The
use of large volumes of flush water with a solvent spacer can ensure that
most oily contaminants are removed and the casing is sufficiently water-wet
before introducing PERFFLOW®. Daily rig costs could prohibit this practice;
furthermore, advances in displacement technology tend to make this
procedure less necessary.
2. Direct Displacement
A direct displacement may be defined as one that uses a series of relatively small
spacers between the original drilling fluid and the next fluid system, i.e. drill-in fluid
or clear brine. This method is often favored because the rig time (cost) is
reduced. Improved procedures and solvents have advanced significantly,
reducing the number of spacers required to clean the open-hole and casing
effectively. Because direct displacements are more common, examples will be
detailed in Section IV.
C. Forward versus Reverse Circulation
1. Advantages and Disadvantages
Baker Oil Tools5 and INTEQ Drilling Fluids recommend that the cleaning of an
open-hole be carried out through reverse circulation as depicted in Figure 4. With
reverse circulation the elevated flow velocity up the smaller ID workstring
enhances debris removal, and the lower workstring volume as compared to the
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Displacement Guidelines
annular volume, allows for a shorter bottoms-up time, which in turn allows for
closer monitoring of the bottom hole conditions.
Reverse Circulation
Filtered Br ine Push Pill Drill-In Fluid
Figure 4.
Forward Circulation
Drill-In Fluid Push Pill Filtered Br ine
Figure 5.
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Displacement Guidelines
OH size: 7”
4000 Wk String: 3.5”
OH Interval: 3500-5000
3500 7” Casing: 8.5 ppg
Frac Grad: 0.75 psi/ft
3000 Pipe Roughness: 0.004
OH Roughness: 0.02
2500
2000
Frac
1500
1000
500
Maximum Allowable Pump Rate to
BelowFrac During Reverse
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Rate (bpm)
Reverse Forward
Ci l i Ci l i
Figure 6.
The pressure values in Figure 6 indicate, that for an average well at 2,000 feet
TVD consisting of a 1,500-ft lateral section drilled with a 6-1/8 inch bit, a maximum
rate of 6 bpm can be used while reverse circulating because a higher velocity will
likely fracture the formation. This assumes a 0.75 psi/ft frac gradient, a hole size
of 7 inches and a 3-1/2 inch workstring. This falls short of the 11 bpm that will be
required to adequately clean the hole of this geometry. In fact, with the average
hole size of 7 inches, 6 bpm will result in only 165 ft/min (2.75 ft/sec) annular
velocity, which is substantially below the Critical Transport Fluid Velocity (CTFV)
for this well geometry. The result of circulating at this rate will be to leave a bed of
cuttings on the low side of the hole. This bed of cuttings can increase drag while
running the completion screen if they become fluidized during pumping after the
screen is in place.
The forward-circulating curve in Figure 6 indicates that the desired rate (300
ft/min) can be easily obtained without the threat of fracturing the formation if the
displacement direction is down the DP and up the annulus. While there are some
disadvantages to forward circulating as noted above, these disadvantages can be
far out-weighed by the benefits achieved by circulating at the proper rate during
the cleanup operation.
If forward circulation is selected, the order of operations must be altered, as well
as the monitoring techniques used to access the cleanliness of the hole. For
forward circulation, the open-hole section should be cleaned before the casing is
displaced. The extended bottoms-up time associated with forward circulating will
lead to larger volumes of fluid being displaced (e.g. 3-5 hole volumes). In a deep
well, it may require 10 to 15 hole volumes to be pumped before the first fluid from
the bottom of the wellbore is received at surface. Since it is usually not desirable
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Displacement Guidelines
to circulate that much fluid past the filter cake at high rates, in deep wells forward
circulation typically includes 3-5 open-hole annular volumes through the open-
hole section. Once this fluid volume has been pumped, the wash string is pulled
into the casing, and the casing cleanup operation begins.
D. Scrapers and Brushes
INTEQ recommends a combination of scrapers and brushes, or other approved
mechanical cleaners, to clean and remove debris from the inside of casing. Space the
appropriate scrapers/brushes on the workstring in accordance with the casing
schematic for each casing. Each casing section should have a scraper/brush placed
approximately 100 feet above each casing shoe. These devices will help remove any
solids that may adhere to the casing walls so the displacement fluid can move them
out of the hole. A short trip with these tools in the hole will also enhance the solids
removal.
E. Conditioning the Mud System
A well-conditioned fluid will be easier to displace from a wellbore. The mud should be
circulated and conditioned at normal flow line temperatures while reducing its viscosity
and gels, but not to the point where it can no longer suspend weighting solids. When
adjusting the rheology, the flow characteristics of the mud improve, making it easy to
circulate and evenly disperse the solids prior to removal.
F. Surface Pits and Equipment Cleanup
1. Invert Emulsion Systems
a) Pump the surface volume of mud into containers suitable for transfer to final
destination. Remove any solids build-up in pits, corners and discharge areas
by mechanical means. A vacuum system will greatly enhance the solids
cleanup of the surface equipment. Also, with a high temperature/high-
pressure washer, external areas can be cleaned thoroughly.
b) Mix 1-2 drums of FLOW-SURF™ into 100-150 bbls of water and flush all
hoses, lines and pumps thoroughly, taking returns back to the same pit. Pump
this at the maximum safe rate.
c) Using the same fluid as in Step b above and with the pipe rams closed, pump
through all choke/kill lines, manifold and rig floor standpipe equipment to
thoroughly remove all OBM or SBM residue. Pump at the maximum safe rate.
Dispose of as per operator procedures.
2. Water-Base Systems
a) Pump surface volume of mud into containers suitable for transfer to final
destination. Remove any solids build-up in pits, corners and discharge areas
by mechanical means. A vacuum system will greatly enhance the solids
cleanup of the surface equipment. Also, with a high temperature/high
pressure washer, external areas can be cleaned thoroughly.
b) Mix 1-55 gal drum of CASING WASH™ 100 or CASING WASH™ 200 per 50
bbls of water and flush all hoses, lines and pumps thoroughly, taking returns
back to the same pit. Pump this at the maximum safe rate. CASING WASH™
100 is used when the WBM is free of oil. CASING WASH™ 200 is used when
an oil- or synthetic-base fluid has been added to the water-base mud system.
c) Using the same fluid as in Step b above and with the pipe rams closed, pump
through all choke/kill lines, manifold and rig floor standpipe equipment to
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Displacement Guidelines
thoroughly remove all OBM or SBM residue. Pump at the maximum safe rate.
Dispose of as per operator procedures.
G. Spacer Systems
1. Lead Spacer (Push Pill) Systems
The function of a lead spacer is to move the drilling fluid from the wellbore without
contacting other incompatible fluids. Moving a system from a wellbore is best
accomplished by utilizing a high pump rate, pipe rotation and a viscous, weighted
spacer. The high viscosity helps maintain the integrity of the spacer by enabling it
to stay in “plug” or laminar flow at high pump rates. The spacer must be large
enough to allow for 5 to 10 minutes contact time based on the pump rate. Pipe
rotation helps break up the gelled pockets of mud that may accumulate in some
sections of the annulus, especially in highly deviated wellbores. The density of
the lead spacer should be adjusted for well control reasons and should be at least
or slightly more dense than the fluid being displaced. Although the lead spacer
may be plug flow, the middle spacer systems are moving in turbulent flow and will
remove any residual debris. It is recommended that each spacer cover at least
1000 feet of the annulus at its largest diameter.
Plug and Turbulent Flow Regimes
Turbulent Plug
V=O
Figure 7.
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Displacement Guidelines
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Displacement Guidelines
Section III.
Indirect Displacement Guide
Cased Hole Only
Figure 8. Figure 9.
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Displacement Guidelines
15
Displacement Guidelines
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17
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Section IV.
Direct Displacement Guide
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5. Filtered Brine
Filtered completion brine should be pumped one full circulation or until cleanliness
specifications are met. On an OH completion, this is usually between 20 and 30
NTUs. Dispose of the spacers as per established procedures.
B. Water-Base System to Brine. Cased Hole Displacement.
1. Pre-Displacement
Once the well has reached TD, circulate a minimum of one bottoms-up and short
trip into the casing. Go back to bottom and circulate a minimum of one bottoms-
up. If well conditions are stable, clean the mud pits and surface equipment as
described in Section II.
2. Weighted Lead Spacer
This spacer is designed to push the mud out of the wellbore.
a) Spacer Density
Slightly heavier than the mud being displaced.
b) Viscosity
YP = 1.5 times the YP of the mud.
c) Spacer Volume
Based on the wellbore geometry (~1000 feet of the largest annular diameter).
3. Circulating Rate
Pump at the maximum safe rate with the minimum rate determined by the
wellbore configuration. Pump by conventional (forward) circulation. Rotate and
reciprocate the pipe while pumping but do not reciprocate pipe while spacers or
interface is near the end of the workstring.
Do not shut down during displacement. See special recommendations, below,
for OH displacement of PERFFLOW® from the reservoir.
4. Casing Cleanup Spacer
If the mud is being displaced from casing, CASING WASH™ 100 or CASING
WASH™ 200 is used to chemically detach the mud from the metal surfaces and
carry them out of the wellbore. The volume is calculated at 0.5% to 1% of the
casing volume and is mixed in water or brine at 5% by volume for CASING
WASH™ 100 and 8% for CASING WASH™ 200. CASING WASH™ 200 is
recommended when the fluid being displaced contains oil or other hydrocarbon
additives or is a PHPA type mud.
5. Viscosified Spacer
This high yield point spacer will carry any remaining solids out to the casing or OH
and prevent contamination of the completion fluid. The spacer volume is based
on wellbore configuration – usually 500 to 1000 feet of the largest annular volume.
6. Filtered Brine
Filtered completion brine should be circulated one full circulation or until
cleanliness specifications are met. Dispose of the spacers as per established
procedures.
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Displacement Guidelines
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Displacement Guidelines
d) Surfactant Spacer
A 2-4% FLOW-SURF™ spacer in brine is used to remove residual oily solids
and completely water-wet all metal surfaces. The volume is normally + 1000
feet of the largest annular volume.
e) Viscous Tail Spacer/Filtered Brine
Follow the surfactant spacer with a viscous brine spacer and filtered brine.
Circulate the filtered and treated completion brine for one circulation or until
cleanliness specifications are met. Dispose of all spacers as per regulations.
D. Diesel or Mineral Oil Systems. Cased Hole Displacement.
Diesel and mineral oil-base systems may be displaced with one of two options. One
option utilizes a neat solvent (middle) spacer (FLOW-CLEAN™) for optimum cleaning
with minimal volume. The second option uses an alternate surfactant (middle) spacer
(Well Wash II™) mixed with brine and usually requires a larger volume to achieve the
same results as the former spacer system.
1. Cased Hole Scenario (No Open-hole) – Option 1
a) Optional Lead Spacer
25-50 bbl of mineral or diesel oil can provide a good cleansing action on the
casing and remove a significant amount of debris. This is a cost-effective
procedure but is optional depending on capabilities at the rig-site to recover
and store the contaminated oil for future use. If this step is omitted, the
spacers listed below are designed to adequately clean the casing.
b) Surfactant Spacer
A 2-5% FLOW-SURF™ in seawater spacer is used to push the drilling mud (or
base oil spacer) out of the casing and initiate the water-wetting process. If the
optional lead spacer is omitted, 4-5% FLOW-SURF™ is recommended,
otherwise 2-3% is recommended.
y Density. The density should be slightly higher than the density of the mud
and have a higher yield point to promote a good displacement without the
commingling of the base oil or mud with the spacer.
y Volume. Volume is based on hole configuration – normally +1000 feet of
the largest annular volume.
c) Middle Solvent Spacer
Neat FLOW-CLEAN™, will chemically detach, dissolve and remove the mud
residue from all metal surfaces. The volume is determined and optimized by a
computer program based on the area of the tubular surface, saturation
volume, Reynolds number, annular velocity, contact time and pump rate. The
contact time is generally 2.5 to 5 minutes.
d) Surfactant Spacer
A 2-4% FLOW-SURF™ spacer in brine is used to remove remaining oily
solids and completely water-wet all metal surfaces. The volume is normally +
1000 feet of the largest annular volume.
e) Viscous Tail Spacer/Filtered Brine
Follow the tail spacer with a viscous spacer using W.O.21™ LE and then with
filtered brine. Circulate the filtered completion brine for one circulation or until
cleanliness specifications are met. Dispose of all spacers as per regulations.
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Displacement Guidelines
24
Displacement Guidelines
Section V.
Other Displacement and Completion Considerations
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26
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27
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28
Displacement Guidelines
fluid quality will be made without making some change to the filtration process.
(See API Recommended Practice 13J for actual procedures for calibration and
determination of brine clarity.)
Each operator or completion procedure will have specific requirements for NTU
reduction. Generally, the recommended absolute value for most completions is in
the 20 to 30 NTU range.
F. Quick Reference Displacement Products
1. W.O.™ 21
HEC 10. Available in 50 lb bags.
2. W.O.™ 21 L
Liquid HEC, mineral oil base. 1 gal = 3 ppb HEC. Available in 5 gal pails.
3. W.O.™ 21 LE
Liquid HEC, non-mineral oil, environmentally safe dispersion. 1 gal = 3.5 lb HEC.
Available in 5 gal pails.
4. CASING WASH™ 100
Alcohol/surfactant blend for removal of WBM from casing. Typically sold by the
gallon and shipped in 350 gal or 550 gal totes on the Gulf Coast. Available in 55
gal drums.
5. CASING WASH™ 200
Alcohol/surfactant blend for removal of WBM from casing. This product should be
used when the WBM contains 4 to 6% by volume oil or synthetic base fluid.
Typically sold by the gallon and shipped in 350 gal or 550 gal totes on the Gulf
Coast. Available in 55 gal drums.
6. FLOW-CLEAN™
Surfactant blend for removal of OBM/SBM from casing and open-hole sections.
Typically sold by the gallon and shipped in 350 gal or 550 gal totes on the Gulf
Coast. Available in 55 gal drums.
7. FLOW-CLEAN™ R
Surfactant blend for removal of OBM/SBM from a deepwater riser. Typically sold
by the gallon and shipped in 350 gal or 550 gal totes on the Gulf Coast. Available
in 55 gal drums.
8. FLOW-CLEAN™ SS
Super-solvent blend for removal of OBM/SBM filter cake in preparation for an
injection well or cementing. Typically sold by the gallon and shipped in 350 gal or
550 gal totes on the Gulf Coast. Available in 55 gal drums.
9. FLOW-SURF™
Water-wetting surfactant for casing, used in the displacement of SBM/OBM.
Typically sold by the gallon and shipped in 350 gal or 550 gal totes on the Gulf
Coast. Available in 55 gal drums.
10. FLOW-SURF™ PLUS
Surfactant/solvent blend for cleaning and wetting casing, used in the displacement
of SBM/OBM. Typically sold by the gallon and shipped in 350 gal or 550 gal totes
on the Gulf Coast. Available in 55 gal drums.
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Cased Hole Direct Completion Fluid Computer aided design based on wellbore
Water Base geometry and desired displacement strategy.
Cased Hole CASING WASH™ 200
Containing Seawater
Indirect Solvent/Surfactant Blend CASING WASH™ 200 is mixed with seawater
4-6% Oil
Riser Clean-Up Seawater or completion fluid.
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Displacement Guidelines
VI. Appendix
Diesel or Mineral Oil Systems – Cased Hole Displacement
Cased Hole Scenario (No Open Hole) - OPTION 1
WELL DATA:
Casing: 9 5/8” 53.5# to 7,500’ (TOL)
Liner: 7” 26# to 10,000’
Drill Pipe: 5” 19.5# to ±7,500’
3 ½” 13.3# to ±10,000’
Casing Annular Volume: 415 bbls
Drill Pipe Volume: 152 bbls
Total Hole Volume: 567 bbls
Mud in Hole: 13.5 ppg Oil Base Mud
Completion Fluid: 11.0 ppg CaCl2
DIRECT WELLBORE DISPLACEMENT and CLEANUP PROCEDURE:
-- PUMP RATE = 5.6 BPM --
8. Displace with filtered 11.0 ppg CaCl2 for one complete circulation and continue at the maximum safe rate until
operator’s cleanliness specifications are obtained. Dispose of spacers as per operator’s procedures.
PRODUCTS REQUIRED
FLOW-CLEAN™ 1176 gallons (28 bbls)
FLOW-SURF™ 2 55-gallon drums
XCD Polymer 3 25# sacks
W.O.™ 21 LE 4-8 5-gallon cans
Barite 143 100# sacks
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Displacement Guidelines
8. Displace with filtered 11.0 ppg CaCl2 for one complete circulation and continue at the maximum safe rate until
operator’s cleanliness specifications are obtained. Dispose of spacers as per operator’s procedures.
PRODUCTS REQUIRED
CASING WASH™ 200 336 gallons (8 bbls)
FLOW-SURF™ PLUS 4 55-gallon drums
XCD Polymer 3 25# sacks
W.O.™ 21 LE 4-8 5-gallon cans
Barite 143 100# sacks
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Displacement Guidelines
3. Displace suction, pumps and lines to the rig floor with OBM base fluid to ensure no water is pumped downhole
(recover in the OBM).
This FLOW-CLEAN™ concentrated solvent will chemically detach, dissolve and remove any remaining OBM
residue from all of the wellbore surfaces.
8. Displace with filtered 11.0 ppg CaCl2 for one complete circulation and continue at the maximum safe rate until
operator’s cleanliness specifications are obtained. Dispose of spacers as per operator’s procedures.
PRODUCTS REQUIRED
FLOW-CLEAN™ 848 gallons (20.2 bbls)
FLOW-CLEAN™ VIS 46 5-gallon cans
FLOW-SURF™ 1 55-gallon drum
W.O.™ 21 LE 4-8 5-gallon cans
Barite 51 100-lb sacks
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Displacement Guidelines
-- PUMP AT THE MAXIMUM SAFE RATE --- Minimum Rate = 5.6 BPM --
6. Displace with filtered 11.0 ppg CaCl2 for one complete circulation and continue at the maximum safe rate until
operator’s cleanliness specifications are obtained. Dispose of spacers as per operator’s procedures.
PRODUCTS REQUIRED
CASING WASH™ 100 242 gallons
CASING WASH™ 200 252 gallons
XCD Polymer 3 25# sacks
W.O.™ 21 LE 4-8 5-gallon cans
Barite 143 100# sacks
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Displacement Guidelines
®
Oil Base/Synthetic Base System to (PERFFLOW ) or Brine
Indirect Displacement - General Procedure
WELL DATA:
Casing: 9 5/8” 53.5# to 7,500’ (TOL)
Liner: 7” 26# to 10,000’
Drill Pipe: 5” 19.5# to ±7,500’
3 ½” 13.3# to ±10,000’
Casing Annular Volume: 415 bbls
Drill Pipe Volume: 152 bbls
Total Hole Volume: 567 bbls
Mud in Hole: 13.5 ppg OBM/SBM
Completion Fluid: 11.0 ppg CaCl2
INDIRECT WELLBORE DISPLACEMENT and CLEANUP PROCEDURE:
6. Pump 28 bbls (1176 gallons) FLOW-CLEAN™ neat for Oil Base Mud (5 minutes contact time).
Pump 56 bbls (2352 gallons) FLOW-CLEAN™ neat for Synthetic Base Mud (10 minutes contact time).
This FLOW-CLEAN™ concentrated solvent will chemically detach, dissolve and remove the OBM/SBM residue
from all of the wellbore surfaces.
7. Pump 50 bbls FLOW-SURF™ PLUS surfactant spacer.
Formulation: Seawater 48 bbls
FLOW-SURF™ PLUS 2 drums
This FLOW-SURF™ PLUS surfactant spacer will leave all wellbore surfaces completely water wet.
8. Pump 25-50 bbls viscosified seawater (4-8 cans W.O.™ 21 LE).
9. Displace with filtered 11.0 ppg CaCl2 for one complete circulation and continue at the maximum safe rate until
operator’s cleanliness specifications are obtained. Dispose of spacers as per operator’s procedures.
PRODUCTS REQUIRED
FLOW-CLEAN™ 1176 gallons (28 bbls) for OBM
FLOW-CLEAN™ 2352 gallons (56 bbls) for SBM
FLOW-SURF™ PLUS 4 55-gallon drums
XCD Polymer 3 25# sacks
W.O.™ 21 LE 4-8 5-gallon cans
Barite 143 100# sacks
37
Displacement Guidelines
VII. References
1. Larsen, T.I., Pilehavari, A.A., and Azar, J.J., “Development of a New Cuttings
Transport Model for High Angle Wellbores including Horizontal Wells,” SPE
25872, Presented at the 1993 Rocky Mountain Regional/Low Permeability
Reservoir Symposium, Denver, CO, 12-14 April 1993.
2. Pilehavari, A.A., Azar, J.J., and Siamack, A.S., “State-of-the-Art Cuttings
Transport in Horizontal Wells,” SPE 37079, Presented at the 1995
International Conference on Horizontal Well Technology, Calgary, Alberta,
Canada, 18-20 November 1995.
3. Clark, R.K. and Bickham, K.L., “A Mechanical Model for Cuttings Transport,”
SPE 28306, Presented at the 1994 SPE Annual Conference and Exhibition,
New Orleans, LA, September 25-28.
4. Anderson, Glen W., and Hutchinson, Stanley O., “How to Efficiently Wash
Sand from Deviated Wellbores,” World Oil and Gas, Pages 75-77, 80, 84,
December 1978.
5. Smejkal, K.D. and Penberthy, W.L. Jr., “Proper Drilling, Displacing Critical for
Open-hole Completions”, Oil and Gas Journal, July 21, 1997.
6. Mathis, S.P., Costa, L.A.G., Nicolino, Andrea, Tsuha, H., Calderon, A.,
Arango, J.C., MacDonald, K., Hebert, S. “Horizontal Gravel Packing
Successfully Moved to the Deepwater Floating Rig Environment”, SPE 6783,
Presented at the 1999 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition,
Houston, TX, 3-6 October 1999.
38