SPE/IADC 145840

Mitigating Loss Circulation And Differential Sticking Problems Using

Silicon Nanoparticles
Saket M. Javeri, SPE, Zishaan W. Haindade, SPE, Chaitanya B. Jere, SPE, Maharashtra Institute of Technology,
Pune.

Copyright 2011, SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition held in Muscat, Oman, 24–26 October 2011.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE/IADC program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not
been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the International Association of Drilling Contractors and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily
reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the International Association of Drilling Contractors, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any
part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers or the International Association of Drilling Contractors is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is
restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE/IADC copyright.

Abstract

The most frequently encountered problems while drilling an oil or natural gas well are lost circulation;
the uncontrolled flow of drilling fluids into a downhole formation and differential sticking; condition
whereby the drill string cannot be moved along the axis of the wellbore. These problems in turn augment
the non-productive time (NPT) causing substantial financial loss. These harms occur generally in the
vicinity of porous & permeable zones. The proposed method incorporates using Silicon nanoparticles in
drilling mud composition to decrease the mud cake thickness.

The advantage of Silicon nanoparticles is that, there is formation of more continuous and integrated mud
cake. Hence, by having an integrated (having low permeability and low porosity) mud cake, there is less
volume of filtrate entering the formation and therefore mud cake thickness is less than in normal cases.
The consistent particle size distribution provides better compaction medium with constrained flow of
liquid from the drilling fluid. Furthermore, a thinner mud cake reduces the probability of stuck pipe. The
addition of Silicon nanoparticles does not have much effect on the drilling fluid viscosity and other
properties.

Silicon nanoparticles have thermal stability upto 2500 degree Fahrenheit. Moreover, the use of Silicon
nanoparticles does not have side effects on the environment. These nanoparticles are generally
immediately available in the required volumes. These require simple application techniques,
consequently providing an appropriate solution to problems like stuck pipe and loss circulation while
drilling.

This technique will provide novel insight in the reduction of problems faced while drilling (both vertical
and deviated) wells and help in countering those problems in a more efficient and environment friendly
manner.
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Introduction

Currently the average NPT; an event described which causes the drilling operation to stop, is 1/5th of the
entire time required to drill a well. The chief reasons for the same being differential pipe stuck up and
loss circulation. Stuck pipe can result in breaking a part of the drill string in the hole, thus losing tools in
the hole that requires time and cost to perform fishing job. The other problem, loss circulation is not
always possible to cease. A restricted loss of fluids allows drilling to continue, preventing an influx of
gas or fluid into the wellbore, known as a kick, which can eventually lead to a blowout.

Differential Sticking

Most incidents of stuck pipe are caused by differential pressure effects. Excessive differential pressures
across the lower-pressure permeable zones can cause the drill string to press onto the wellbore wall
where it becomes stuck.

Differential sticking can be recognized by the following characteristics:

o Drill string sticks by remaining motionless for a long period of time.

o Drill string can’t be moved at all i.e. upwards, downwards or rotated even if circulation is
maintained.

Mathematically, the differential sticking force depends on the magnitude of the overbalance and the area
of contact between the drill string & the porous zone.

Figures 1 and 2 represent how the drill sting gets stuck to the mud cake. The difference in pressure of
the hydrostatic pressure and the formation pore pressure forces the drill string to get stuck to the mud
cake.

The causes of stuck pipe are many & often a combination of causes may be responsible. The common
causes are:

o Key-seating.

o Improper mud control.

o Cuttings, sand & caving.

Loss circulation

Loss circulation basically is the loss of drilling fluid i.e. mud to the formation at any depth. Loss
circulation can be caused because of following types of formation:

o Coarsely permeable unconsolidated formations such as sand, coarse gravel beds, shell beds and
reef deposits.

o Vugular and cavernous formations such as; reefs, limestone, chalk and dolomite formations.

o Fractures, both natural and induced.

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It has been estimated to cost the drilling industry over one billion dollars annually in rig time, materials
and other financial resources.

Recommended Solution

We propose the use of silicon nanoparticles in the drilling fluid in appropriate quantity to mitigate the
effects of the above mentioned problems. The silicon nanoparticles proposed in this paper are believed
to lessen the thickness of the mud cake and hence less amount of drilling fluid is permitted to seep
through it. The probability of the drill sting being stuck also reduces because of the reduced thickness of
the mud cake.

The specific gravity of Silicon is 2.33. The atomic weight of Silicon is 28.086 and the atomic number is
14. The diameter of silicon particles ranges from 40-130 nanometers.

This advantage of silicon which has nanometer size particles causes to make a mud cake which is more
continues and integrated (it means that mud cake has low permeability). So by having integrated and
low permeability mud cake, we have less volume of filtrate and therefore mud cake thickness is less than
usual cases.

As mentioned earlier, presence of silicon particles reduces the thickness of the mud cake. The uniform
individual particle size distribution provided better compaction medium which restricted the flow of
liquids from the drilling fluid.

Experimental Results

Using standard filter press the effect of silicon nanoparticles on reduction of mud cake thickness at 100
psi pressure and 80 F temperature was as tabulated below:

Initial mud cake Adding 3% by volume of silicon Reduction in mud cake

thickness (inch) nanoparticles to mud (inch) thickness (percentage)

6/32 4/32 34 %

The effect of nanoparticles on mud viscosity and yield point was determined using standard Rheometer
(Fann Viscometer as show in Figure 3).

Initial mud at 100 Adding 3 % by volume of silicon nanoparticles to

Mud Properties
F mud

Plastic viscosity 28 cp 26 cp

Yield point, 100 lb/sq.ft 5 4

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the help offered by the entire staff of Petroleum Engineering
Department, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune.

Conclusion

As a result of the laboratory studies to date the above results mentioned in the tables appear valid.
However, further investigation is recommended before it is used on a wider scale.

References

1. Bourgoyne A.T. et. al., 1991, Applied Drilling Engineering, SPE Textbook Series, Vol 2.
2. Haden E. L. & Welch R. G., 1961, Techniques for Preventing Differential-pressure Sticking of
Drill Pipe – A Laboratory Study, Drilling and Production Practice, SPE 61-036
3. Paiaman A. M. & Al-Anazi B. D., Using nanoparticles to decrease differential pipe sticking & its
feasibility in Iranian oil fields, Oil & Gas Business 2008.
4. Rabia H., 1986, Oil Well Drilling: Principles & Practice, Springer.
5. Rabia H., 2002, Well Engineering & Construction, Entrac Consulting.

Figures

Figure 3: Fann Viscometer