GRC Transactions, Vol.
38, 2014
Organic / Inorganic Hybrid Fluid Loss Agent for Geothermal Drilling Fluid
Shiwei Yang and Xiuhua Zheng
China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China
xiuhuazh@cugb.edu.cn • blankyung@sina.cn
Keywords
Fluid loss agent, geothermal drilling fluid, suggestions, novel
material, hybrid
Abstract
The mechanism and advantage of a novel inorganic/organic
hybrid alkali-activated high temperature resistant fluid loss agent
are analyzed in this paper. Suggestions on novel lost-circulation
control materials of geothermal drilling fluid were included.
Introduction
Tibet has developed Yangbajing high temperature geother-
mal field since 1970s. With about 24 MWe capacity, Yangbajing
geothermal power plant supplies significant contributions to the
electricity portfolio of Lhasa. Now Tibet is trying to exploit other
high temperature geothermal fields, among which Yangyi is be-
ing drilled with proven 203 ºC temperature of shallow reservoir
within 1000m depth and predicted about 250 ºC temperature
of deep reservoir at depth around 1500m. Yangyi is located in
the southern part of the Nagqu-Ngemo geothermal active belt,
45km southwest of Yangbajing and 75km west of Lhasa.[1], [2]
The geothermal field is one of the high-temperature convective
hydrothermal geothermal systems with lithologic character of
mainly granite and andesite in Tibet [3], [4]. The pressure analysis
of ZK212 (one production well with 1508m) indicates that the
formation and fracturing pressures are relatively low, 0.992 g/cm3
and 1.434 g/cm3 respectively at the depth of 1154m[5].
High temperature and low pressures of geothermal wells means
that fluid loss is an important requirement for geothermal drilling
fluids. So the drilling fluids must have a rheological stability and
filtration characteristics that guarantee optimum operating condi-
tions in high temperature environments.
Fluid Loss Agent for Geothermal Drilling Fluid
When fluid loss of drilling fluid is experienced in geothermal
wells, fluid loss agent is needed such as HOE-2825 (copolymer
259
of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-propane-3- sulphonic acid
AMPS and N-vinyl-N-methyl-acetamide, 200 ºC) [6], copolymer of
AMPS，acrylic acid and itaconic acid （200 ºC）[7], copolymer
of humic acid and primary amine with an alkyl radical of 10 to 20
carbon atoms（200 ºC）[8], copolymer of AMPS, vinylacylamide
and acrylamide（200 ºC）[9], NVP/IA/AM/AMPS (copolymer of
AMPS, itaconic acid, acrylamide and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 220
ºC) [10]，KEM-SEALTM PLUS, PYRO-TROLTM, CHEMTROLTM
X (copolymer of AMPS and Am aqueous medium, 316 ºC) from
Baker Hughes[11], Na-polyacrylates (cypan)[12], et al.
They have some disadvantages: 1) organic polymers or inor-
ganic additives are used separately, or just blended, 2) the effect is
unsatisfactory for deep drilling due to their single mechanism, 3)
controllability is not ideal, 4) they have low temperature resistance
on account of polymer degradation.
Analysis of Fluid Loss Agent PSA/Ca-MMT/
CaCl2@SiO2
Table 1 lists the effect of CaCO3, SMP, and PSA/Ca-MMT/
CaCl2@SiO2 [13] on the rheological and filtration properties in
freshwater-based drilling fluid before and after aging tests (200
ºC). Formulation A is made up of 3% bentonite, 0.75% sodium
hydroxide and water.
The filtration property of PSA/Ca-MMT/CaCl2@SiO2 is
superior than CaCO3 and SMP at room temperature and at 200
ºC. The viscosity and yield point is just suitable for water-based
drilling fluid.
The mechanism (Figure 1) is that: Na2SiO3 is produced by
the chemical reaction of the outer layer SiO2 of PSA/Ca-MMT/
CaCl2@SiO2 in aqueous alkaline solution, which was more in-
tense with the increase in temperature. CaSiO3 was generated via
the reaction between Na2SiO3 and inner calcium ion after SiO2
decreased to a certain extent. Graft polymer of PSA and Ca-MMT
(occlusive filling effect and network effect of remaining long chain
of polymer), CaSiO3 (filling effect) and Na2SiO3 (film effect)
worked together to reduce the fluid loss.
Advantages of PSA/Ca-MMT/CaCl2@SiO2 are: 1) high tem-
perature resistance because of inorganic material, 2) outstanding
performance for multifunction of graft polymer, CaSiO3 and Na-
Yang and Zheng

Table 1. Drilling fluid properties of calcium CaCO3, SMP, and PSA/Ca-MMT/CaCl2 @SiO2 in
formulation A before and after thermal aging tests (200 ºC). Thirdly, fluid loss agents cooperate with drill-
ing technology. For example, the system of sodium
Thermal Properties silicate/calcium chloride plug from Marita L. Allan
Drilling fluid combination
Aging Test require encapsulation of calcium chloride by polymers
(200 ºC/ AV PV YP FL
16 hr)
or hose for guiding to control the opportunity.
(mPa∙s) (mPa∙s) (Pa) (mL)

Before 3.5 (0.25) 2 (0.25) 1.5 (0.25) 76.5 (2.25) References

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