A
SPE 36430
Drilling Fluid Design to Prevent Formation Damage in High Permeability Quartz
Arenite Sandstones
P. S. Smith, SPE, S. V. Browne, SPE, BP Exploration,
INTEQ.
Copyrghl 1996, Soaafy d Pe&okwrn Ewnaam, Icc
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Exh!bton Md In Oenvw, Colwedo U S A, &9 Oclti 1SS6
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Abstract
Quartz arenites are very clean quartz sandstones with unusually
high permeabilities for any given porosity. This is attributed
to the presence of large, clean pores which are often well
connected. These large pores are susceptible to drilling damage,
mainly from the invasion of solids. This paper presents both
laboratory and field data on the development of drilling fluids
to minimise damage in quartz arenites. The required changes in
field mud engineering practices, to achieve improved well
performance, are discussed. Field experiences are presented,
including the impact of the modified mud systems and
engineering practices on the resulting skin factors.
Introduction
Quartz arenites are very clean quartz sandstones with unusual
poro-perm properties. Significant permeability is retained at
low porosities and as the porosity increases the observed perm-
eabilities are much higher than would normally be predicted.
This unusually high permeability is attributed to the presence
of large, clean pores which are often well connected. Despite
these favorable characteristics, many wells drilled in quartz
arenite reservoirs have not been as productive as expected, and
have had high skin factors.
In the absence of reactive clays, many recognised damage
mechanisms are not applicable in quartz arenites, yet drilling
damage is sti II seen to occur. Laboratory data shows that
conventionally designed drilling fluids can cause high levels of
damage, but that mud filtrates alone do not cause significant
damage. The main damage mechanism is solids invasion into
the large pores, and it is shown that changes in drilling fluid
design can minimise this damage. These modifications to the
E e’
.,,
.
.
Society of Petroleum Engineers
T, J. Heinz, M-1 Drilling Fluids L,L.C. and W. V.Wke, Baker Hughes
drilling fluid require changes in field mud engineering
practices, in order to achieve improved well performance. Field
experiences are presented, including the impact of the modified
mud systems and engineering practices on the resulting skin
factors.
The Mirador Formation
of
Quartz arenites are clean quartz sandstones, which contain more
than 95% quartz. The Mirador formation in the Cusiana field
in Colombia is a quartz arenite, with a very low clay content.
The typical mineralogy is 78% quartz grains, 14% quartz cem-
ent and 8% porosity. Despite low porosity, permeabilities are
high. For example, 8% porosity corresponds to about 100mD
and 10% porosity to about 400rnD, although permeability is
dramatically affected by grain size. The permeability of the
very coarse grained sand is about 800mD at 10% porosity,
whereas the permeability of the fine grained sand is about
90mD at the same porosity. The completed intervals have a
wide range of permeability, sometimes from less than 10mD
to more than 5000mD (the > 1000mD sands generally have
low thickness). The Mirador has very low vertical
permeability, compared to horizontal (Kv/Kh = 0.1 or less,
dependent on formation permeability). Reservoir pressure is
approximately 5300psi and reservoir temperature is i 27°F.
Pore Size Distribution. The high permeability at low
porosities is a result of large pore size and good interconnect-
ivity. The median (Dso) pore size in the lower Mirador is
usually about 60f.L,although in the high permeability streaks
the D50 pore size has been measured as high as 11Op. More
importantly, typical pore size distributions show the D9s to bc
substantially higher than the DSO(Fig. 1). As an example, a
core with D50 pore size of 60p will have a D95 of 350-400)-t,
By converting a typical pore size distribution to a predicted
permeability distribution (FIg. 2) it is apparent that the large
pores dominate the permeability. In the example presented, the
largest 30~o of the pores account for about 85% of the
permeability. Consequently, the large pores need to be
protected in order to minimise damage.
Compressive Strength. As a result of the secondary quartz
cementation, which produced the low porosities, the Mirador
sands also have high unconfined compressive strengths. This
is often in excess of 20,000psi, with the lower permeability
147
2 PSSmM, S.V.Browne,T.J,Heinzand W.V.Wee.
rock generally having the higher strength. The compressive
strength has a large impact on perforating performance, dramat-
ically reducing perforation length. 1Mirador cores perforated in
the laboratory typically have perforation lengths 20-25% of the
reported API data. None of the perforations exceeded 20cm
(8inches) in length, even though charges as large as 37g were
used. Furthermore, in the majority of these laboratory tests,
debris was found blocking the perforation tunnels, despite
perforating with high underbalances. This reduced the effect-
ive length of the perforations, sometimes by as much as 50%.
Formation Damage
Many formation damage mechanisms are recognised and have
been well documented.2,~ These can generally be categorised
into two groups : firstly, physical reduction in pore or pore
throat size and, secondly, changes in relative permeability. The
simple mineralogical composition of quartz arenites means
that many potential damage mechanisms are not applicable
(eg. clay swelling, clay dispersion, etc.). The large pore sizes
observed in high permeability quartz arenites, however, are
susceptible to damage by specific mechanisms; the most
significant of which is solids invasion.
If most of the drilling damage is caused by solids invasion,
the solids must be invading relatively deeply into the
formation. Many studies have investigated the reduction in
permeability of cores exposed to drilling fluids.4-9 Some
researchers suggest that, although high levels of damage may
be observed, the depth of this damage is generally shallows
According to one study, the depth of solids damage should be
less than 2.5cm ( I inch) if the drilling fluid is suitably
designed.4 Several studies, however, have reported that solids
invasion exceed 7.5cm (3inches),4,G-8 and invasion to a depth
of 30cm (12inches) has been reported.s In addition, it has been
reported that high permeability formations are more
susceptible to solids invasion. 10’11
Bridging is required to initiate filter cake formation,4 [2-13
and the filter cake itself will then control further losses of
filtrate and solids to the formation. With the low porosity and
high permeability in the Mirador formation, it is possible that
a relatively deep depth of invasion can occur before effective
bridging is established. This invasion, combined with the
reduction in perforating performance, means that in many cases
the damaged zone is not bypassed by perforating. As a
consequence, much higher skin factors result, as have been
observed in the field.
Drilling Fluid Design
Although some solids invasion and formation damage are
inherent to all drilling fluids, it is possible to minimise both
damage caused by solids invasion, and the depth of this
damage, by correctly sizing the bridging particles in the
drilling fluid. The basis for the drilling fluid design for high
permeability quartz arenites was to reduce solids invasion by
identifying the ideal particle size distribution in the drilling
fluid system, for a given pore size distribution in the core. It
was recognised that the large pores in the core dominated the
permeability and that they had to be protected. Clearly, with
pores as large as 500v in the Mirador formation the demands
on the drilling fluid were significant.
148
SPE36430
Both oil based (OBM) and water based (WBM) fluids have
been used to drill the Mirador formation. Due to the under-
pressured nature of the reservoir, both types of fluid result in
drilling the reservoir with a high overbalance, With OBM the
typical overbalance is 1000- 1200psi, whereas with WBM the
overbalance is usually 1800-2000psi. The majority of the
laboratory work focused on the development of an optimised
WBM, knowing that the ‘ideal solids distribution’ would also
be applicable to OBM.
Particle Size Distribution. In order to prevent solids
invasion into the large pores, the average particle size of the
solids in the drilling fluid needs to be high. However, not
only, is the D50 important, the essential drilling properties of
the drilling fluid have to be maintained. Consequently, solely
large particles cannot be used, even though they would not
invade the pores, because the fluid loss rate would be
uncontrollable and filter cake thickness would continue to
grow. Hence, a range of particles have to be used, which give
effective filter cake formation and minimal solids invasion.
Two theoretical particle size distributions were considered,
firstly the ‘1/3’ rule4 and secondly a dllz relationship. 14
The basic summary of the ‘1/3’ rule is that the mean
particle size of the bridging material should be greater than one
third of the median pore size of the formation. The reported
data for the ‘1/3’ rule also suggests that the effectiveness of a
bridging material in reducing mud solids invasion is a function
of both its concentration and particle size, as well as the pore
size distribution of the rock.
The d 112relationship suggests that for ideal bridging, the
cumulative weight 70 of the bridging materials should be
directly proportional to the square root of their particle size.
Particle Plugging Apparatus (PPA). In order to assess
the impact of particle size distribution on fluid loss properties,
PPA tests were performed. Initial laboratory testing consisted
of screening a range of formulations at room temperature. The
most promising results were then confirmed at elevated temp-
erature (93”C). The PPA tests were performed on 150y aloxite
disks, to simulate the Mirador formation, and at a differential
pressure of 2000psi. Spurt loss and filtrate samples were
gathered in Kolmer centrifuge tubes every five minutes for the
entire 30 minute test run. The samples were then centrifuged at
1850 rpm for 15 minutes. The filtrate volume was recorded
along with the volume of solids in the filtrate, These samples
were evaluated by laser particle size analysis to determine the
size of the particles that migrated through the aloxite disk.
Consequently, it was possible to evaluate results, both on the
basis of total solids passing through the disk and the reduction
in size of these solids with time.
As the Mirador formation is heterogeneous, and a wide
range of permeabilities are generally found in each well,
additional PPA tests were occasionally performed on aloxite
disks with smaller pore sizes (90p and 60u). This was to
ensure that the mud formulations being developed to prevent
invasion into the high permeability Mirador would also protect
the lower permeability sands.
SPE WKUI DrillingFluid Desgn to Prevent FormationDamage in High PermeabilityQuartz Arenite Sandstones
Bridging agents. Calcium carbonate has been used as the
main bridging agent as it is readily available in different grind
sizes, and its density minimises mud weight, compared to the
use of barite. The need to maintain large particles in the
drilling fluid, and a high D50, led to the use of calcium
carbonate grades with narrow particle size distributions, These
grades were specified by two sieve sizes, a maximum and a
minimum. This dramatically reduced the percentage of flrre
material in a coarse grade of calcium carbonate. A range of
different grades all with narrow particle size distributions are
now being used in the field,
Laboratory Results
The majority of laboratory results were obtained on WBM,
especially with respect to PPA and particle size analysis
results. Formation damage test results were obtained on both
OBM and WBM. The standard WBM mud that was used in the
study consisted of a biopolymer, a polyanionic cellulose (and/
or a starch), caustic soda and calcium carbonate. A range of
calcium carbonate sizes was used for mud preparation, so that
the final particle size distribution could be varied easily.
PPA Results. The main parameters of interest in the PPA
tests were the spurt volume, the total filtrate volume, the
quantily of solids in [he filtrate, the size of’these solids and the
filter cake thickness. As a reference, several muds that were
being used in the field prior to this study were tested. Most
resulted in total losses when tested on the 150v aloxite disk.
The mud formulations developed in this study had a higher
average particle size than the muds previously used in the field.
Formulations with a high average particle size, and a narrow
size distribution, were found to reduce solids passing through
the PPA disk, but had unacceptably high filtrate volumes. At
lhc other extreme, the filtrate volume was minimised when [he
average particle size was lower and the fines concentration was
increased, but more solids were seen in the filtrate. The best
results were obtained with mud formulations which had
particle size distributions close to the d1f2 relationship, and a
large enough maximum particle size. It was found that a
maximum particle size of at least 2001.Lwas required, in order
toensure [hat the D90 was high enough to effectively initiate
bridging. Table 1 shows PPA results for selected formulations.
A large variation in spurt loss was seen with small variations
in mud formulation. More importantly, the quantity of solids
in the filtrate varied by a factor often. However, the volume of
solids was not directly related to the spurt loss volume nor the
filtrate volume, The ideal formulation would have a low spurt
loss, a low solids volume and a low filtrate volume, although
it is realised that the size of the solids in the filtrate would also
be important.
Particle Size Analysis. Particle size analysis was used to
investigate the size of particles that passed through the PPA
disk during lhe test. The objective was to identify formulations
which reduced both the quantity and the size of the particles
that may cause damage by invading the rock matrix. Table 2
shows a range of results, and shows a significant variation in
tbe size of the solids in the filtrate versus time. In most cases
the size of the solids reduced significantly with time, although
149
3
occasionally the size of the solids at the end of the test was the
same as tbe initial solids, Irr order to minimise formation
damage, the muds which showed a rapid reduction in solids
size with time, and a small final size, where considered
preferable, assuming that their PPA results were acceptable.
The addition of starch to the mud formulations
significantly lowered the D50measured by a laser particle size
analyser, For example, a mud formulation that had a Dso of
68p without the addition of starch, was found to have a Dso of
36p when 14.3 g/L (5 lb/bbl) of starch was added. This is very
similar to the median size of the starch itself (35u). The
particle size analysis of [he PPA filtrates, however, did not
appear to be affected by the presence of starch in the mud,
suggesting that it was retained in the filter cake, When
polyanionic cellulose was used as tbe fluid loss additive there
was no impact on the measurement of the D50 of the mud.
General Mud Properties. Some changes to the rheology
of both OBM and WBM were required in order to keep the
large particles of calcium carbonate in suspension. Settling
was evident when PPA tests at elevated temperature (93°C) and
static ageing tests ( 119”C) were performed. The suspension
characteristics were improved by increasing the low shear rate
viscosity.
In order to obtain suitable fluid loss control in WBM,
starch, as well as polyanionic cellulose, was required. This was
used despite the implications for particle size measurement in
the field. This was a significant concern, as the interference
from the starch in the measurement of the particle size of the
bridging materials could impact the engineering of the fluid in
the field. It was recognised that a second field technique maybe
required to confirm the actual particle size of tbe solids in the
fluid.
Thermal stability was also an issue for WBM at a static
bottom hole temperature of 127°C. This was resolved by
including an antioxidant in the mud formulation and buffering
the system to pH 10.
Formation Damage Testing. A series of laboratory tests
were performed in order to quantify the damage caused by a
range of different mud systems. The apparatus used for this
work and the basic test procedure have previously been
described.ls Testing initially focused on determining whether
filtrate from the muds previously used in the field could have
caused significant formation damage to the reservoir rock.
Table 3 shows the results of this testing and indicates that in
most cases only minimal levels of damage were caused.
Clearly it is possible to design a mud system, for the Mirador
formation, with very low levels of filtrate damage.
As filtrate damage alone could not be responsible for the
high skin factors observed in the field the potential damage due
to solids invasion was investigated. The results (See Table 4)
showed that formation damage due to solids invasion into the
matrix was a much more significant damage mechanism.
Further work focused on testing revised mud formulations
from the laboratory study (described above). These muds had
modified particle size distributions, designed to minimise the
invasion of mud solids into the matrix. As there was only
limited availability of reservoir core with high permeability,
4 P.S,Smii, S.V.Brevme, T. J.t-tAnzand W.V,WIW.
synthetic core was sourced for this phase of the study. The
main selection criterion was the pore size distribution of the
core, which needed to match reservoir cores.
Synthetic core with a median pore size of 90u was selected
and 63mm diameter by 25.4mm thickness cores were used. In
order to investigate depth of damage, three cores were stacked
together for each test. The permeability of each of the three
cores was individually measured before and after each test so
that the depth of damage could be accurately determined. It was
soon realised that it would be impossible to eliminate
formation damage altogether. The objective of this part of the
study very quickly became to limit the depth of solids invasion
to a depth which could be by-passed by perforating.
Although the median pore size of the synthetic cores was a
good analogue of the reservoir rock, the synthetic cores had
substantially higher porosities, in the order of three times
higher, This was a considerable help when trying to minimise
solids invasion as the effect of any good results were
magnified. For example a one inch invasion depth into the
synthetic cores with their high porosities corresponds to three
inches of invasion in reservoir core. However, the laboratory
tests exposed the cores to the drilling fluid for less than 24
hours, whereas exposure in the field would be significantly
longer and the filter cake may be disturbed several times by
tripping. Consequently, the laboratory tests may underestimate
the real depth of damage in the field, but they do give a valid
comparison between different drilling fluids. Most importantly
the test method gives large differences in results between good
and bad formulations.
Using the resuhs of the laboratory screening tests described
above the most promising mud formulations were selected and
tested, Table 5 gives the formation damage test results of these
laboratory formulated muds. Field muds were then formulated
with the optimum particle size distribution based on the
laboratory work. Table 6 gives the results of actual field muds.
Mud A in Table 6 shows a typical result from a field mud
prior to this study, with all three cores being damaged during
the test. Muds B, C and D, resulting from this study, show a
significant improvement, with low levels of damage in the
second core and no damage in the third core. These field mud
results are consistent with the results from the laboratory
formulated muds (Table 5).
Field Engineering
The laboratory results showed a clear need to increase the
particle size of the drilling fluids used in the field. The main
concern was whether a dramatic increase in particle size would
have any adverse effect on drilling performance, especially
whether any specific risks, such as stuck pipe, would be
increased. Consequently, over a sequence of wells, the particle
size of the drilling fluid was progressively increased. During
this time it became clear that operational practices must be
modified in order to maintain a high particle size.
Attrition of Bridging Materials. It was expected that
attrition of the calcium carbonate would occur whilst drilling.
This has occurred, however the reduction in particle size has
been more significant when using WBM compared to OBM.
Field data for a WBM is shown in Table 7 and in Table 8 for
150
SPE36KKI
an OBM. The reduction in the Dlo, D50 and D90 is noticeable
for the WBM, with the impact on the D90 being the most
significant. As the particle size becomes smaller it can be seen
that the PPA total filtrate volume also reduces.
The rate of attrition is dependent upon drilling practices, for
example, a much higher attrition rate is observed when using a
turbine compared to a mud motor, especially with WBM.
Solids Control : Shale Shakers. Due to the large size
of the CaCOJ that needs to be maintained in the mud system,
only coarse screens can be used on the shale shakers. Typically
the finest screens used are 40 mesh, but sometimes this has
been limited to 20 mesh in order to reduce losses of desired
solids by ‘piggy-backing’.
The Mirador formation is usually drilled with diamond bhs
which generate very fine cuttings. Consequently, the use of
coarse shaker screens means that virtually none of the drilled
solids are removed by the primary solids control equipment. In
reality this is not a major concern, although the unconvention-
al use of the equipment often requires explanation.
Solids Control : Centrifuges. As attrition is known to
occur, the average particle size will continue to reduce unless
some action is taken. Centrifuges have been used successfully
to aid in maintenance of the particle size. Two centrifuges are
required; one used at low speed and one at high speed. The
slow speed centrifuge is used to recover the large particles and
return them to the mud system. The high speed centrifuge is
used to remove as many fines as possible from the remaining
mud. These fines are discarded and the liquid is returned to the
mud system. This method does not halt the decline in particle
size, but it certainly reduces the rate of decline.
Mud Maintenance. As attrition is occurring continuously,
the average particle size will continue to reduce unless the mud
system is actively maintained. Consequently, some form of
particle size measurement is required in the field, so that
additions to the mud system are based on actual requirements.
On several wells, laser particle size analysers have been
used at the wellsite. Alternatively, the same equipment has
been used in a laboratory located close to the field operation.
At minimum, daily samples are required for analysis, however,
the higher the frequency the better the input into. mud
maintenance.
Several problems have been identified with particle size
analysis in the field. Firstly, the results obtained are dependent
on the equipment being used; the results from the same sample
can vary widely if measured on two different laser particle size
analysers. Secondly, minor constituents in the mud can alter
the observed particle size (eg. starch in WBM), but these
additives do not necessarily contribute to bridging. Thirdly, as
attrition occurs and the tines concentration increases, some of
the laser particle size analysers give misleading results when
there is a wide particle size distribution. This has been brought
to the attention of the equipment manufacturer but has not yet
been resolved. Due to the problems described, sieve analysis is
being considered as an alternative field analysis method. Early
results suggest that sufficient data for mud maintenance can be
obtained by this method.
SPE36430 DrillingFluid Desgn to Prevent FotmationDamage in High Permeabilii
Despite [he problems with particle size measurement trends
can still be followed. Hence, additions to the mud system are
still based on the results. In reality, a small quantity of large
calcium carbonate is continually added to the mud system so as
to combat attrition. The particle size anaIysis results dictate
whether this addition rate needs to be altered.
Field Results
Several reservoir sections have now been drilled using larger
particle size drilling fluids. No drilling problems have been
directIy attributed to the changes in drilling fluid. On one well,
a low initial drilling rate was observed, but it is not obvious
whether the drilling fluid properties contributed to this
reduction in drilling performance.
Field mud properties have been similar to the laboratory
results. However, the observed attrition of the calcium
carbonate, resulting in a higher fines concentration, has
impacted both the PPA and the particle size results. Field PPA
results have been lower than the values seen in the laboratory.
At the same time, the average particle size has tended to reduce
whilst drilling, despite efforts to maintain it in the desired
range. In part, the reduction in particle size may not be real,
due to the impact of increasing fines concentration on the
performance of the particle size analyser.
Skin Factors. The measurement of the skin factor on each
well has been the prime method of well performance
comparison. The average skin factors by year, for the last four
years, are shown in Figure 3. This data set comprises 8-10
wells per year, with the exception of 1992 which only had four
results. There is a clear improvement in 1995, which in part is
attributed to the drilling fluid strategy. It is expected that this
trend should continue : during 1995 the average particle size
was slowly increased, whereas all wells in 1996 will use a
large particle size,
Other factors also contribute to the improvement in the
average skin factor, the most notable of which is the
perforating strategy. However, it is recognised that a large
reduction in the observed skin factors will only be realised if
the depth of the damage zone is reduced so that it can be by-
passed by perforating. The current average skin factor is still
unacceptably high, consequently further enhancements to the
drilling fluid strategy are expected to be required along with
improvements in perforating performance.
Conclusions
1, Quartz arenite sandstones have unusually high permeabiliti-
es for any given porosity due to the presence of large, well
connected, pores.
2, Many recognised formation damage mechanisms are unlik-
ely to apply in the case of quartz arenites because of their
very clean nature.
3. High permeability quartz arenites with large clean pores are
susceptible to drilling damage, mainly from the invasion of
solids.
151
QuartzArente Sandstones 5
4. Formation damage caused by solids invasion into quartz
arenite sandstones can be minimised by using drilling fluids
with bridging solids appropriately sized,
5. In order to protect high permeability quartz arenites, the
median particle size, and the maximum particle size, must
be unusually high.
6. Field engineering practices must be modified in order to
maintain the required particle size distribution.
7. Regular particle size measurement of field muds is required
in order to effectively maintain the required specifications.
8. Laser particle size analysis techniques have proved to be
problematic when the mud sample has a very wide particIe
size range; it has been proven that the results are unreliable.
9. A simple, reliable technique is required for the assessment
of the particle size distribution in the field.
References
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Log Analysis,” (1976) 4th SPWLA Formation Evaluation
Symposium, London.
6 P.S.Smith, S.V.Browne, T.J.Heinz and W.V.VWe. SPE36430

12. Darley, H. C. H.: “Preventiono fProductivityI mpairment

by Mud Solids,” Petroleum Engineer (Sept 1975) 102- TABLE 3: Filtrate Damag , Mirador Cor
110.
Initial Final Damage
13. Clark, DE. and Lacey, E. S.: “Workover and Completion
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Fluids Can Minimise Formation Damage,” Drifling-DCW
(mD) (~)
(Ott 1979) 90-110.
Oil Based Mud 1 66,8 54.1 19
14. Kaeuffer, M.: “Determination de L’Optimum de
Water Based Mud 1 56.8 48.1 15
Remplissage Granulometrique et Quelques Proprieties S’y
Water Based Mud 2 62.9 38.5 39
Rattachant”, presented at Congres International de
Water Based Mud 3 62.X 51.1 19
I’A.F,T.P.V., Rouen (Ott 1973).
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TABLE 4: Whole Mud Damage, Mirador Core
I

2
Final Damage
Acknowledgments Perrneabilit y (%)
The authors would like to thank BP Exploration, Ecopetrol, (m)
Total, Triton, M-I Drilling Fluids and Baker Hughes INTEQ 587 66
for permission to publish this paper. The authors would

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EE!w-R-
510
specifically like to thank David Burt, Mike Stephens and Tim 731 53
Beyer for many useful discussions, which initiated this work. 148 91

TABLE 1 : Variation in PPA Results TABLE 5: Depth of Whole Mu Damage, Lab Muds
Sample No. Spurt Filtrate, Total, Solids, Darnage to Individual

Mid
Mud
Mud
1
2
3
Loss, ml
1,3
4.6
2.8
ml
9.2
8.0
11.9
ml
10.5
12.6
14.7
ml
0.44
0.29
0.38
=--F= m

Mud
Mud
Mud
Mud
4
5
6
7
6.4
6.2
11.6
7.5
14.3
16.7
12.8
18.8
20.7
22.9
24.4
26.3
0.54
0.36
3.36
0.47
-d-- [
%t-H-
I Bottom ] o
WBM (b) 39% I TOP 49
Mud 8 6.1 20.5 26.6 1.10
Mud
Mud
9
10
11.0
21.6
17.9
15.6
28.9
37.2
0.78
1.92
I Middle
Bottom
22
o
WBM (C) 67% Top 58
Mud
Mud
11
12
13.4
22.0
26.9
26.8
40.3
48.8
0.40
0.51
I Middle
*Bottom
o
o

TABLE 2: Particle Size Analysis Of PPA Filtrates

TABLE 6: Depth of Whole Mud Damage, Field Muds
Sample No. Spurt

Mud
Mud
1
2
LoSS D50, IJ
17.9
13.6
RF
im-
10.8
‘+
10min
11.7
11.2
15min
7.7
6.5
~omin
T
3.2
Damage to Individual

w-%-

L
Mud 3 26.1 18.3 16,5 14.3 15.5
Mud 4 10.4 16.4 16,0 16.0 12.8
Mud 5 14.6 13.8 10.4 9.9 6.7

Et+
~UCi 6 16.6 11.6 11,7 8.7 4.4 -i--
Mud 7 14.6 14.8 7.4 5.4 4.5
Mud 8 18.8 10.0 8.3 5.0 4.1
Mud 9 12.7 8.9 7.6 5.9 5.8
-
Mud 10 26.0 18.1 17.7 17.5 16.6
Mud 11 9.6 5.8 3.0 2.2 2.2
Mud 12 6,4 7.4 2.0 1.7 1.7 *
- Bottom I o

152
SPE36430 DrillingFluid Desgn to Prevent Formation Damage in High Pemwabilii Quati Arenite Sandstones 7

TABLE 7: Reduction in Particle Size Whilst Drilling

(’WBM)
Cumulative Pore Size and PermeabilityDktributions

Q2!w!s J&J& +-#_ +.&- PPA, ml

1 22.5
2 42:94 5.73 160.39 22.5
3 28.6 2.82 74.2 17.5 90”/0

4 33.43 3.86 66.67 9.6

5 26.38 2.37 69,17 7.6 so%
6 22.17 2.07 63.89 6.65
7 23.44 2.19 63.5 5.4 70%
8 19.11 1,99 53.88 5.1
9 16.02 1.75 50.79 7.0
10 15,1 1.74 44.72 7.4
11 14.95 1.73 45.2 6.5

30%
TABLE 8: Reduction in Particle Size Whilst Drilling
(OBM)
m%

Jime!!2 Dw). u PPA Total, ml

10%
1 37.98 5.7
2 30.53 6.67 84.02 5.5

1
o%
3 29.71 6.49 71.09 4.6
4 35.44 7.67 102.5 4,4 0.01 0.10 1.00 10.00 100.00 1000.00
5 40.69 8.63 139.7 4.2 PORESIZE,microns
6 35.73 6.39 110.6 4.2
— Size Distribution ~ Permeability Distribution
7 30.54 5.79 119,6 4.2

Fia. 2-ComDarlson of Pore Size Distribution and Permeability

D&tribution ~or a High Permeability Quartz Aranite Sandstone.
MIRADOR
PORESIZEVERSUS
PERMEABIL1lY

1000

100

1992 1993 1994 1995

Fig. >Avemge Skin Factom by Year, 1992-1995.

10

1 10 100 1000 100LM

Penmeabilily,mD

Fig. l-D50 and D95 Pore Sizes Versus Permeability, for the Mirador
FormatIon.

153