SPE/IADC 102128

Nondamaging Drilling Fluid Enhances Borehole Quality and Productivity in

Conventional Wells of Mehsana Asset, North Cambay Basin
N.G. Mandal, SPE, U.K. Jain, SPE, B.S. Anil Kumar, and Ashok K. Gupta, ONGC

Copyright 2006, SPE/IADC Indian Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition

composition and parameters of a drilling fluid may cause
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2006 SPE/IADC Indian Drilling Technology damage to pay zone and thus may influence the oil
Conference and Exhibition held in Mumbai, India, 16–18 October 2006.
production from a freshly drilled well. Various main
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, as
mechanisms of formation damage attributed to drilling fluid
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers or International can be summarized as (Shaw, 1996, Gray and Darley,
Association of Drilling Contractors and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material, as
presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the SPE, IADC, their officers, or members. 1980)-
Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper for commercial purposes
without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and International Association of
Drilling Contractors is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not 1. Formation plugging by drilling fluid’s compositional
more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous
acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O. Box solids e.g. clay
833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 1.972.952.9435.
2. Formation plugging by drilled cuttings (drilled fines
dispersed in drilling fluid)
Abstract 3. Formation plugging by polymers’ particles
Mehsana Asset of ONGC, in North Cambay Basin in India, 4. Hydration of clay envelop around pay zone particles
emphasizes on increased oil production with the use of by filtrate. Consequential dispersion of clay envelop
new technologies. Non Damaging Drilling Fluid (NDDF) is also generates fine particles which may clog the
the basic part of this paradigm shift. Application of NDDF formation pores.
is the most direct method for controlling formation damage 5. Change of Wettability by filtrate
during drilling. NDDF was introduced in Linch field of the 6. Whole mud invasion into pay zone due to induced
Asset for drilling of pay zones. The paper covers lost circulation
formulation, field optimization and application of NDDF in 7. Formation of scales due to chemical reaction
three wells of Linch field and subsequent application in between formation fluid and mud filtrate
North Kadi field. Laboratory results as well as field
behaviour and parameters of NDDF along with drilling To counter the above formation damage mechanisms
parameters and production testing results are discussed. an ideal productive drilling fluid must have-
The paper also touches the constraints in application and
their solution by coordination and ingenious use of 1. No use of non-degradable compositional fine
available resources. Field optimization of NDDF solids like- clay, barite etc.
formulation has shown encouraging results in terms of 2. Minimum drilled fine solids
compatible mud parameters. No complications were faced 3. Effective check on polymer’s particles’ invasion into
while drilling and testing. Gauged holes have shown good pay zone
quality of logs. The wells have given a distinctively 4. Inhibitive filtrate which should not swell the clay
increased productivity in terms of oil production with envelop around pay zone particles and also no
instant activation. use of dispersant in mud.
5. Reduced filtration loss
Key words 6. Lowest possible progressive gelation for
NDDF, formulation, field application, pore throat minimizing whole mud invasion during trips and
gel break circulations.
Introduction 7. Filtrate not reacting chemically with formation fluid
For a given geology, well geometry and production to form insoluble precipitate
method, an oil well’s productivity depends on the control
over formation damage exercised during drilling of the Non Damaging Drilling Fluid (NDDF) provides all of the
well. Formation with least damage is likely to produce above ingredients of formation-damage-control during
more oil. Though all productive reservoirs are susceptible drilling. It was planned to be used for drilling of all
to formation damage, the reservoirs which produce by the developmental wells in Mehsana Asset of ONGC (North
matrix mechanism like sandstone, are far more sensitive Cambay Basin). Already being the highest on shore oil
to the effect of the well bore fluids than those produce producer of ONGC the Asset emphasizes on all possible
through fracture mechanism-like lime stone. Improper
2 SPE/IADC 102128

measures to extract every extra tonn of oil from its fields
(Gupta, 2005). Asset management is taking leverage of
advanced technology for this drive. Around 6600 TPD oil
is produced from multilayered reservoirs of Linch,
Mandhali, Mehsana and Kalol pays, ranging in depth
from ~2200 Meters to ~900 meters. Major producing
fields are North kadi, Santhal, Sobhasan, Balol,
Nandasan, Linch, Jotana, Becharaji and Lanwa. Untill
recently Mehsana Asset was using conventional
dispersed mud systems. NDDF has distinct advantages
over conventional dispersed muds and controls
formation damage (fig-1and2) as briefed hereunder-
1. Fine solids of conventional muds enter deep into
the formation and choke the oil passage from
reservoir to well. NDDF does not contain fine
solids (clay). Thixotrophy -the most needed
property of drilling fluid, is provided by the
additive- XC polymer which is bio-degradable.
2. Mud filtrate swells the clay envelops around sand
particles of pay zone. This obstructs the oil flow.
NDDF generates saline inhibitive filtrate, so clay
swelling does not take place.
3. Properly selected sized particles of Calcium
carbonate (CaCO3), in NDDF, bridge the pore
throats on the formation surface to form an
external filter cake. An external filtercake is much
easier to be removed, by draw down, than an
internal filter cake in side the formation matrix.
4. Calcium carbonate is also used to impart higher
specific gravity to NDDF (instead of barites used in
conventional muds). Calcium carbonate is acid
soluble and can be removed later on.
5. Presence of dispersant generates fine clay
particles inside the formation matrix, these
particles migrate further to clog the pores. Since
NDDF does not contain any dispersnt, no clogging
takes place due to dispersion generated fines.
NDDF was applied for the first time in the Asset for drilling
pay zones in the Linch field in three wells- LNDQ, LNDS
and LNDR. Linch oil field is characterized by lenticular pay
sands. Encouraged by the results of this application in
Linch (given in Results) it was extended to North Kadi field
and five wells were drilled namely- NKNS, NKNT, NKNR,
NKNW and NKNV. North Kadi is the biggest field of
Mehsana, producing ~2000 Tonnes Per Day (TPD) oil.
Main pay zone is Kalol (sandstone), which was drilled with
NDDF in the above wells.
Formulation and methods
Basic compositions of NDDF given in table 1 were used
for laboratory optimization and potential field application.
Parameters of three formulations were tested by standard
API tests (Magcobar 1986). Formulation I-b (base+1.5%
PGS+10%CaCO3) was selected for further optimization tests
and field application. Formulation I-b was reacted with
drilled solids from Mehsana and Kalol pay zones
respectively. Drilled cuttings were collected, mixed, dried
and ground. The ground mixture was passed through 60
mesh sieve (Jain, 2005). Five percent w/v of these cuttings
were mixed with NDDF- I-b. The mixture was left for
reaction under agitation for 10 hours at 80 deg C and 65
deg C respectively, and again put to API tests.
Based on the results of extensive experiments, carried out
in Asset Laboratory, along with drilled solids, following
basic composition was finally used in field-
Field formulation (w/v in water)
Common salt 15 % (mixed in base)
KCl 5-8 %
PGS 1.0 %
XC-polymer 0.5 %
PAC-R 0.1%
CaCO3 8-10 % (may be increased depending
upon sp.g. requirement)
Biocide 0.02 %

Cake Hydrated clay

Obstructed clay
W oil flow
E W FILTRATE sand
L E
L FILTRATE L
L Un-interupted
B Oil flow
Mud fines and B
O
dispersed fines
R O
E R
Inhibitive
E filtrate

fig 1: Pay zone damage by dispersed

non-inhibitive (conventional) muds fig 2: Intact pay zone with NDDF
SPE/IADC 102128 3

Selection of bridging particles: the pay zone (IDT, 2002). The calcium carbonate blend
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was selected as bridging utilized was tested for quality control to ensure that the
material for NDDF for the following reasons: grinds were of high purity ( >95% soluble in acid).
• CaCO3 can be chemically removed either by acids
or by chelating agents. Sampling and Field tests
Standard API tests; funnel viscosity, specific gravity,
filtration loss, apparent viscosity, plastic viscosity, yield
Table 1: NDDF formulations point, KCl percentage, MBC and gelation were made on
hourly basis, or at regular intervals, while drilling with
Formulation I NDDF. Samples were drawn from suction tank during
a. base+1.5% PGS drilling.
b. base+1.5% PGS+10%CaCO3
c. base+1.5% PGS+40%CaCO3
Formulation II Field mud parameters and drilling parameters, were
a. base+2% PGS recorded, tabulated and analyzed by analytical tools.
b. base+2% PGS+20%CaCO3 Drilling behaviour, smoothness of operations etc. were
c. base+2% PGS+30%CaCO3
Formulation III
observed personally at well site round the clock. DPRs
a. base+2.5% PGS were consulted for better analysis.
b. base+3% PGS Wells for comparison were selected from nearby locations
c. base+4% PGS of the field as far as possible. In North Kadi, recent wells
Composition of base (w/v in water) have also been considered for comparison. Same
NaCl - 15%, KCl - 3%, NaOH - 0.05%,
XC polymer - 0.50% production layers, wherever possible, also taken into
considerstion in Linch as well as North Kadi. For
production comparison, only rate of initial oil production,
Table-2: Laboratory results of NDDF formulations before connecting the wells to GGS, was considered. This
With different doses of additives was done to eliminate the effect of transportation line’s
Formulati back-pressure, which depends on other variables.
ons SP.G. FV PV Yp FL Gel 0/10
I-a 1.11 52 12 25 7 13/16 Well profiles, casing policy and mud systems
I-b 1.16 52 13 24 5 14/16
All the wells drilled with NDDF in Linch and North Kadi
I-c 1.36 - 18 29 3.8 13/16
II-a 1.11 53 13 24 5.4 - were ‘L’ profile and have 2-casings. 12 ¼” top hole was
II-b 1.21 56 17 28 4 11\14 drilled with PHB and cased with 9 5/8” casing. All
II-c 1.26 56 19 31 4.2 11\16 formations below this, including pay zone were drilled with
III-a 1.11 56 - - 5.2 - 8 ½” bit and cased with 5 ½” casing. Kick-off was made
III-b 1.11 60 16 28 4.5 14\15 just below the shoe of 9 5/8 “ casing. 8 ½” hole up to top of
III-c 1.11 60 21 24 3.8 11\12
pay zone (Mehsana in Linch and Kalol in North Kadi) was
drilled with KCl-PHPA mud and pay zone was drilled with
• Calcium carbonate is commercially available in a NDDF. Maximum attained angles were moderate and
broad range of particle sizes. This facilitates the ranged from 13 deg (LNDQ) to 26 deg (NKNV).
selection of a blend that will efficiently bridge
formation pore throats and form a totally external Surface volume capacity, solids control equipments and
ultra low permeability filter cake on the surface of Field application of NDDF
the exposed pay zone. This aids in reducing fluid The NDDF system was applied at trailer mounted rigs – M-
loss rate and prevents solids invasion into the 750-II (LNDQ, NKNR and NKNW), IR-900-II (LNDS,
formation. LNDR, NKNV, NKNS and) and M 900-I (NKNT). By
original design these rigs have only one suction tank. Total
• The minimum concentration of Calcium carbonate surface volume capacity of these rigs originally was 115
was fixed 5 to 7% (w/v), which was sufficient to cubic meters (CM) covering 37 CM of suction tank, 40 CM
bridge formation pore and ensure a thin high of intermediate tank, slug tank and settling tanks. Only
quality filter cake. The concentration of Calcium suction tank was connected to the hopper and rig pumps.
carbonate can be increased to adjust the required No reserve tanks, originally, were available at these trailer
specific gravity up to 1.34 comfortably. mounted rigs.
• The blend of Calcium carbonate products such as
medium, fine and micronized grades can be used Managing field challenges
to fit the purpose w.r.t. the pore size distribution of Ideally, NDDF application demands hole above pay zone
the reservoir rock. to be cased before drilling pay zone. So that upper open
Calcium carbonate –fine grade was used in Linch and hole can be secured from bore hole instability and pay
North Kadi wells. This grade has particle sizes ranging zone can be drilled with solids free fresh NDDF. This
from 1/3 of pore throat size to pore throat size of pay would also allow the pay zone to be drilled with minimum
zones in these fields. Pore throat size (micron) has been possible over balance. While extra casing procurement
derived by taking the under root of permeability (mD) of was under way KCl-PHPA mud was used as a substitute
4 SPE/IADC 102128

of casing, for drilling 8 ½” hole above pay zone as it gives
better hole stability, contains less solids and has better
compatibility with NDDF.
Change over to NDDF at pay zone’s top was most difficult
in the first well, LNDQ, due to lack of surface volume
capacity to prepare and store NDDF for change over. The
demand of NDDF volume was fulfilled by triangular
coordination amoung drilling rig, brine plant and other
nearby drilling rig. Partial volume of NDDF was prepared
at nearby drilling rig. This NDDF was transported to
M-750-II by tankers at the time of change over. In
subsequent wells, however, surface volume capacity was
augmented step by step by fabricating and installing two
reserve tanks of 40 CM each at rig IR-900-II and one tank
at M-750-II. Also, suction to rig pump was given from
intermediate tank so that circulation could be continued
while preparation of NDDF in reserve tanks and suction
tank. Base (NaCl brine) was prepared at Brine /Mud Plant
and was transported to drilling rig. Brine/Mud plant is
around 20 Km. from Linch field. This is a centralized
facility for preparing, storing and transporting brine and
mud for workover rigs. The brine plant works round the
clock on 3 shifts pattern.
Rigs (IRII and M750 II) were upgraded with better solids
control equipments. Linear motion shale shakers fitted with
screens of 50 mesh size (finest mesh available at the time
of application) were used. Desander and Mud cleaner
Field results
NDDF formulation having optimum parameters as given in
table 2, was selected for further optimization and field
implementation. Field results of wells drilled with NDDFare
generalized and presented hereunder -
1. All the wells were drilled complication free.
2. All wells were completed with in time limit alloted
in the Geo Technical Order of the respective wells.
3. Sections drilled with NDDF have shown excellent
caliper, leading to perfect primary cementation.
4. Wells showed enhanced quality of electro-log with
value addition to interpretation.
5. Wells were activated instantly with out compressor
application.
6. Wells showed distinct improvement in initial oil
production rate.
DRILLING RATE v/s DRILLING FLUID SYSTEM
(LINCH)
R O P (Mtrs./Hrs.)
15 12.6
10.8
10 7.4
6 5.8
5
0

LNDR
LNDT

LNDS
LNDO

LNDQ
were available for almost 90% of drilling and circulation
time. Fineness of mud cleaner screens was 120 to 150
mesh. M-750-II was fitted with two and IR-900-II with one WELLS
hopper. Rig M 900 I was not having an operational mud
cleaner. Also, mesh size finer than 38 could not be used in CONVENTIONAL DRILLING FLUID

shale shakers. This was the biggest challenge. The NDDF

problem was solved to some extent by preparing and
adding NDDF pre-mix into active system regularly. Fig 3: Effect of drilling fluid system on drilling rate
(Linch field)
Planning, Communication and coordination
Close coordination and fitting hard work was indispensable
at rigs and brine plant for making change over to NDDF in DRILLING RATE v/s DRILLING FLUID
shortest time. As the first strategy, change over was (NORTH KADI)
planned during anticipated wiper trip or bit change trip, so
that time taken in trip may over lap a part of change over
R O P (Mtrs./ Hrs.)

30
time. Key officers were assigned round the clock duty at 20.7
rig, brine plant and at the storage drilling rig. By using 20 14.3
state of the art means of communication i.e.- mobile
10
phones, telemetry phones, radio and Wire Less Loop
telephone, real time communication was achieved and 0
change over could be accomplished with in bare minimum NKNP NKNT
time smoothly. Ten cubic meters capacity tankers, few WELLS
fitted with freighter pumps, were used for transportation of
base fluid and NDDF.
CONVENTIONAL DRILLING FLUID
Results and Discussion
NDDF

Laboratory results
API parameters of NDDF formulations with different Fig 4: Effect of drilling fluid system on drilling rate
(North Kadi field)
concentrations of additives were tested in the Asset’s
laboratory (presented in table-2). Results of NDDF treated
with drilled solids were found field compatible.
SPE/IADC 102128
WELL- LNDQ
9 5/8” C/S (300m)
KOP 323 M
13 DEG
ANNULUS Kalol A 19 M3/D
1122-25
C/O NDDF (1150 M)
Packer
1162 M
UMS-V & II @ 43.2M3/D
5 ½” C/S (1469 M)
Fig 5 : Lithostratigraphy of Linch field with Well diagramme of LNDQ
Parameters of NDDF mud samples taken from suction
tank while drilling, are presented in table 3. Drilling time
comparison of NDDF wells with conventional drilling fluid
wells is presented in table-4 and fig-3 and 4.
Lithological considerations
Generalised lithostratigraphy of Linch field has been
presented in fig-5. All the wells, also of North Kadi, were
having comparable lithostratigraphy from top to Kalol.
Kand is swelling clay and imparts high clay content to
drilling fluid, if not inhibited. Tarapur is a caving prone
Oligocene shale and needs to be taken care of with
respect to inhibition and minimum exposure time. Below
Tarapur is Kalol which formed pay zone in North Kadi
wells, and upper pay zone in Linch wells. In Linch wells,
Kalol is followed by Mehsana sand, which has multiple
broad bands of coal. The coal bands of Mehsana are
highly caving prone and very sensitive to mechanical
disturbance and longer exposure time. The permeability of
Mehsana sand in Linch ranges from ~1000 mD to 3700
mD. Lithological sequence starting from Kand to Mehsana
asks for proper inhibition, minimum mechanical
disturbance and minimum exposure time. Fitting measures
to avoid any causes leading to complications as – clay
dispersion, cavings of shale were taken by applying KCl-
PHPA polymer mud system up to the top of pay zone. As
no casing was lowered up to top of pay zone, through out
5
LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY (Linch)
CLAY-SAND
SAND-CLAY
SHALE
SAND -COAL
SAND -COAL
the change over time the formation had to remain
exposed. Through proper planning and coordination, a
change over time of 10 to 16 hours (along with trip time)
was taken in these well.
Production results
Initial oil production from wells drilled with conventional
mud systems vis a vis those drilled with NDDF are given in
Figure 6 and 7. The wells drilled with NDDF have shown a
distinct improvement in initial production of oil. Also, there
is a clear reduction in activation time for wells drilled with
NDDF in Linch (figure 8). The main improvement could be
seen by the fact that NDDF wells were instantly activated
with out compressor application. Three groups of wells
were available where initial oil production was taken from
the same layer. Few well/wells of the group were drilled
with conventional drilling fluid while others with NDDF.
Layers UMS-V, CHATRAL and KS IA were compared for
the effects of type of drilling fluid on initial production
(figures 9, 10 and 11). There is a clear difference in initial
production in favour of NDDF. Kalol pay in North Kadi field
has good permeability (2000-4000 mD). But more
permeable formations are more likely to be damaged
(Smith, 1995). Apprehensions were high about production
results of NKNT- the first NDDF well in North Kadi, due to
high permeability of pay zone, as well as high solids build-
up in NDDF. However, the well produced more than other
nearby wells drilled with conventional dispersed systems.
6 SPE/IADC 102128

Most significant was the comparison of initial oil production

rates of NKNP and NKNT (fig-12). These two wells were
adjacent (from the same cluster) and were drilled INITIAL OIL PRODUCTION- LINCH WELLS
consecutively with in a span of one month. A possible
conclusion can be made that the mud quality, at the time 80 72
67
70
of first penetration of pay zone, is the most responsible for

CM PER DAY
60
47
50
damage control. In the case of NKNT the NDDF might 40 29
36
22 24
have not accumulated enough drilled solids to damage the 30
20
14.4 17
12
pay zone while first penetrating it. Also, the filtrate might 10
0
2

have contained enough inhibition for the formation clay.

LNDN

LNDR
LN DD

LNDJ-A

LNDO

LNDQ
LNDE

LN DI

LNDP

LNDS

LNDT
WELL NAMES

Coordination and field application

Best of the bests formulations can be developed in
CONVENTIONAL DRILLING FLUID
laboratories. But the journey from lab experiments to
actual field application is the longest and the hardest one, NDDF
needing meticulous planning and execution. The NDDF
formulation optimized with drilled cuttings of Mehsana pay
Figure 6- Initial oil production from Linch wells
zone was a good step in winning success in field
application. To prepare and collect the changeover volume
of NDDF in shortest time was a tough challenge. Further
to keep costs under control, no extra tankers were hired
for transportation of base fluid or NDDF. By using the
managerial measures (given in methods) smooth change INITIAL OIL PRODUCTION FROM NORTH KADI WELLS (LAYER-KSIA)
RECENT WELLS
over could be done in few hours.
35
CUBIC METERS PER DAY
28.8 28.8 28.8
30
24 24
Table 3: Field parameters of NDDF 25
17.28 16.8 17.28
20
15
10
WELLS NDDF MAX F/L Yp GEL KCl % / 5
interval SP.G. 0/10 MBC 0

NKNH

NKNR
NKNE

NKNP

NKNV
NKNT

NKNW
LNDQ 1150-1469 1.16 6.6 - 25- 8-12/ 5–7/
NKMY

8.0 39 12-25 <1

LNDS 1175-1500 1.17 5.4 - 32 - 11-18 5–7/
6.0 52 / <1 WELLS
22-30
LNDR 1150-1500 1.17 5.0- 30 - 11-20 5–7/
6.0 48 / <1
22-33 CONVENTIONAL
DRILLING FLUID
NKNT 951-1176 1.17 6.0- 16- 5-10/ 5-5.5/
7.0 22 15-21 <1-2.5 NDDF

Fig 7: Initial oil production from North Kadi wells (Recent)

Table 4: Drilling time comparison

COM PARATIVE ACTIVATION TIME (HOURS)

WELLS DRILLING FLUID ROP M/Hr. METERAGE BIT HRS. 50

ACTIVATION TIME(HOURS

60
LNDQ NDDF 12.63 322 25.5
50
LNDS NDDF 10.79 329 30.5 27
40 28
LNDR NDDF 5.86* 356 60.4
30 12
LNDT CONVENTIONAL 6.01 329 54.75 20
LNDO CONVENTIONAL 7.36 330 44.8 0.5 0.5 0.5
10
NKNP CONVENTIONAL 14.3 201 14 0
NKNT NDDF 20.7 178 8.5
LNDT
LNDS

LNDR

LNDD
LNDQ

LNDO

LNDJ-
A

* bit problem
WELLS

CONVENTIONAL
DRILLING FLUID

NDDF

Figure 8 : Comparative activation time (Linch)

SPE/IADC 102128 7

INITIAL OIL PRODUCTION FROM CLUSTER

LAYER WISE PRODUCTION OF OIL IN LINCH
WELLS (NORTH KADI-LAYER KSIA)
WELLS (LAYER CHATRAL)

OIL PRODUCTION (CMPD)

40
33
28.8
CM PER DAY

40
30
30
14 16.8
20 20
10
0 10
0
LNDR (57) LNDE (33)
NKNP NKNT
WELLS
WELLS

CONVENTIONAL
DRILLING FLUID CONVENTIONAL
DRILLING FLUID
NDDF
NDDF
Fig 9- Comparison of oil production from same producing
layer (CHATRAL) Fig-12: comparison of oil flow rate between wells drilled
consequitively from the same cluster

CAVING PERCENTAGE v/s DRILLING FLUID

LAYER WISE INITIAL PRODUCTION FROM
(LINCH)
LINCH WELLS (UMS V)
25 21 20.6
PERCENTAGE
CM PER DAY

34 20 16
40
CAVING

15 12 12 12
30 17 10
20 10
10 3.7
0 5
0

LNBH

LNBL
LNDT
LNDP

LNDS

LNDR
LNDO

LNDQ
LNDR (57) LNDN (44)
WELLS
WELLS

CONVENTIONAL
CONVENTIONAL DRILLING FLUID
DRILLING FLUID
NDDF
NDDF

Fig 13: Comparative caving percentage vis a vis drilling

Fig 10: Comparison of oil production from same fluid type
producing layer (UMS V)

Caliper
INITIAL OIL PRODUCTION FROM NK WELLS (KSIA LAYER) NDDF has shown distinctively reduced hole enlargement/
caving percentage. Fig-13 presents comparative caving
percentage obtained in same drilled formation interval
OIL PRODUCTION (CMPD)

35
28.8 (Kalol and Mehsana) using conventional dispersed mud
30 24
25 20.4 vis a vis NDDF. The improvevemrnt is very much marked
16.8
20
in Linch field. In North Kadi, not much reduction in caving
15 10
10 percentage could be seen in the wells drilled so far.
5
0
Conclusions
NKMI
NKMD

NKNT
NKNG

NKNP

1. Results of application of NDDF in Linch and North

WELLS
Kadi field have proved the technical feasibility of
NDDF application at Mehsana Asset’s rigs.
2. All the wells drilled with NDDF have shown good
CONVENTIONAL
DRILLING FLUID hole stability and were complication free.
NDDF 3. Wells were activated instantly with out compressor
application.
Fig: 11: Initial oil production from nearest NK wells
(LAYER KSIA)
8 SPE/IADC 102128

4. NDDF has shown a distinct improvement in oil Abbreviations

production. API American Petroleum Institute
CM Cubic Meters
5. Sections drilled with NDDF have shown excellent KSIA Kalol Sand –IA
caliper, leading to perfect primary cementation. MBC Methylene Blue Capacity
Wells showed enhanced quality of electro-log with mD milli Darcy
value addition to interpretation. NDDF Non Damaging Drilling Fluid
6. The application has added to the learning curve of NK North Kadi
drilling and mud engineers. ONGC Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd.
7. Experiences and positive results will help NDDF PAC Poly Anionic Cellulose
implementation in other fields of the Asset. PGS Pre-Gelatinized Starch
PHB Pre-Hydrated Bentonite
The positive results achieved in Mehsana Asset are for PHPA Partially Hydrolyzed Poly Acrylamide
conventional wells, which have moderate flow area with SP.G. Specific Gravity
reservoir. Also NDDF was applied with out prior casing of TPD Tonnes Per Day
the open hole above top of pay zone. NDDF application in
high flow area wells (hi-tech wells), along with proper
casing policy, is definitely going to put the Asset on References
enhanced oil flow. 1. Drilling fluid handbook by Magcobar Dresser, 1986.
2. Gray, G. R. and Darley, H. C. H. : “Composition and
Future directions Properties of Oil Well Drilling Fluids”, Gulf Publishing
Mehsana Asset has extensive plans to drill hi-tech wells- company (1980).
long drift, horizontal and short radius wells, in near future. 3. Gupta, A. K. et al.: “Challenges in the Upstream Scenario of
This is being done for increasing flow area between wells Mehsana Asset: An Overview,” Paper presented at the 6th
International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition
and reservoir, for increasing oil productivity. NDDF is the
(Petrotech), New Delhi, Jan. 2005.
only intelligent choice for drilling of these wells. NDDF can 4. IDT, ONGC, “Drilling Fluid Design for In-Situ Combustion
also be a good choice as a base for low specific gravity Wells in Mehsana Field”, Report- July, 2002.
mud systems for drilling of sub-hydrostatic reservoirs. 5. Jain, U. K. et al.: “ A Technomanagerial Synergistic
Approach by Drilling Services to Achieve Gauged Holes in
Acknowledgements Problem Prone In-Situ Combustion Areas of Mehsana
The highest level of encouragement and support came Asset,” Paper presented at the 6th International Petroleum
from Mr. Ashok K. Gupta, Executive Director-Asset Conference and Exhibition (Petrotech), New Delhi, Jan.
Manager of Mehsana Asset. In fact he acted as the most 2005.
effective change agent in the process of drilling fluid up- 6. Kadaster, A. G., et al.:, “Field Application of PHPA Muds,”
gradation. Rest of the authors are grateful to him for this SPE No. 19531
endeavour. Authors are thankful to Mr. S. P. Agrawal, Mr. 7. Shaw, J. C. and Chee, T.: “Laboratory Evaluation of Drilling
Mud systems for Formation Damage Prevention in
S. P. Dewan, Mr. S. K. Roy and their teams for their
Horizontal Wells,” SPE 37121.
contribution in field and laboratory, without which this work
8. Smith, P. S. et al, “Drilling Fluid Design to Prevent
could have not been possible. Authors thank Mr. P. C. Formation Damage in High Permeability Quartz Arenite
Singh-Deputy General Manager, other officers and staffs Sandstones”, SPE 36430.
of Drilling Services for providing much needed infra-
structural inputs for the application of NDDF.