There will be 1 Fluid Build question on exam 5

Homework 18

Formation damage is defined as any process that reduces the natural permeability of a
formation/rock.

Formation damage can be caused by physical and chemical mechanisms.

The reservoir is the rock that contains the hydrocarbons.

False>Formation fluids are specially engineered fluids that are used to drill through the payzone. <False

The occurrence of formation damage will lower the production rate of a reservoir. <True

Porosity is defined as the volume of rock which can be filled by formation fluids.

The larger the porosity of a formation, the more resistant it will be to formation damage. <True

The main causes of limited production rate:

1. High oil viscosity
2. Low formation permeability
3. Low formation pressure
4. Formation damage

Radial flow of the produced fluids into the wellbore creates an increase of the flow velocity near the
well bore.

Relevant formation damage mechanisms include:

1. Emulsion blockage
2. Clay migration and dispersion
3. Polymer adhesion
4. Particle plugging

Different particles that can cause damage inside the reservoir:

1. Perforation debris
2. Polymers not soluble in acid
3. Barite

Regarding clays, behaviors expected for each one of them and how to prevent them include:
1. Smectite: Takes water and swell. Prevent with Potassium
2. Kaolinite: Prone to dispersion and pore lining if potassium is present. Avoid using more than 3%
v/v of potassium
3. Illite: Prone to migration and dispersion. Avoid dispersants and stabilize with potassium.

False>The way polymers are mixed in the fluid system is not important since they cannot generate any
formation damage because they are very small. <False

The filtrate from drilling fluids needs to be compatible with the water from the formation to avoid the
formation of precipitates. True
The excessive use of emulsifiers can lead to the formation of crude-brine emulsions that ultimately will
translate into formation damage

False>One of the ways to protect the reservoir from damage is the buildup of a thick filter cake that can
increase the invasion around the wellbore. <False

A dirty brine with 10% solids is probably going to be more damaging to the payzone than a dirty mud
with 20% solids.

Reservoir fluids can be defined as fluids we expose to the reservoir that help prepare, repair, cleanout,
and complete the wellbore. True

The following fluids can be used in a reservoir while drilling and completing:
1. Workover fluids
2. Reservoir drilling fluids
3. Completion brines

Products that might be used in reservoir fluids (as long as they are compatible with the payzone):
1. Bactericides
2. Viscosifiers
3. Lubricants
4. Weighting materials – <<check this one>>

False>Completion fluids are always clear brines with no viscosity.<False

**Brines may be clear and may contain a high viscosity

The goal of a displacement is to remove all the products/by-products of the drilling process. True

Reservoir fluids are specifically designed to:

1. Minimize formation damage
2. Maintain well producibility

Completions and workovers require clean fluids for maximum effectiveness, and that is the goal of the
filtration services. True

False>A filtration unit can help to recover clean potable water (free of solids and chemicals) from
completion and workover fluids. <False

The following are characteristics of a reservoir drill-in fluid:

1. Minimizes potential formation damage
2. Efficiently transports cuttings to the surface
3. Maintains hydrostatic overbalance to control the well

When using a Dril-N Fluid system, we know we have preserved the reservoir’s producibility if the near
wellbore rock flows the same after the well is completed as it did prior to the completion. True

Characteristics of a poorly designed reservoir fluid:

1. Allows large quantities of foreign material to pass into the payzone
2. Is not tested and potential damage prior use is unknown
3. Maximizes ROP by employing high filtrate losses
A fracked completion DOES NOT normally require a specially engineered drill-in fluid.

An open hole completion DOES normally require a specially-engineered drill-in fluid.

The following are potentially damaging to the payzone:

1. Mud products
2. Unfiltered seawater
3. Drill solids
4. Mud filtrate

We prefer to use ground marble for drill-in fluid bridging because it is harder than limestone.

Kozeny’s equation estimates a reservoir’s pore throat diameter in microns when the rock permeability is
known. True

On a particle size distribution, the meaning of the D 50 value of a bridging material analysis is that 50% of
the particles are smaller than the D50 value

A concentration of between 30 and 45 lb/bbl bridging material has been found to be most effective for
drill-in fluids

>90% return permeability value would be considered to be good by most operators.

High performance invert emulsion fluids can make excellent drill-in fluids, given that the appropriate
solids content is achieved. True

False> Any type of LCM can be used if there are losses in the payzone. <False

Homework 19

Reservoir fluids can be defined as fluids we expose to the reservoir that help prepare, repair, cleanout,
and complete the wellbore. True

The goal of completion fluids is to allow a controlled production of the well, maximizing both the flow of
hydrocarbons and safety. True

False> Completion fluids need to provide overbalance to control pressures from the wellbore, and
transport solids into the reservoir. <False

The displacement from drilling fluid to a completion fluid is done by using a series of specially designed
spacers. True

During the completion process, the lower completion assembly is run into the well to the payzone. True

False>Hydrocarbons will flow to surface during production within the last casing cemented in the
wellbore. <False

The packer anchors the tubing and seals the space between the tubing and the casing.
Types of completions include:
1. Sand control screen
2. Uncemented liner
3. Cased and perforated
4. Gravel pack

Cased and perforated is the most common type of completion for oil wells. True

Brines can be classified based on their source:

1. CsCOOH – Made from natural minerals
2. CaCl2 – By-product of commercial processes
3. NaCl, NaBr – Naturally occurring

In general, monovalent salts are usually mixed from sacks

In general, divalent salts are usually diluted from spike fluids

**Divalent salts are not mixed from sacks**
The hydrometer is used to measure the density of clear brine with no viscosity

The Turbidmeter (NTU) provides a value that can be used as reference to establish how clean a brine is.
True

False>The higher the NTU reading from the turbidity meter, cleaner the brine will be. <False

False> The results from a NTU meter can be used to calculate the concentration of solids in suspension
in the brine. <False

False>All brines are the same and can be handled using the basic PPE. <False

The “process of removing from the wellbore one fluid (usually a drilling fluid), and replacing it with
another (usually a clean completion fluid)” is called displacement

Applicable drilling fluid displacement objectives:

1. Water wet all well surfaces
2. Establish a clean, non-damaging environment for completion
3. Maximizing the recovery of drilling fluid

The five main requirements to plan a successful completion job:

1. Fluid data
2. Installation data
3. Lab data
4. Hydraulic data
5. Well data

The two types of displacement available – Direct and Indirect

In order to maximize the success of a displacement, completion tools are used. True
The main applications for completion tools:
1. Displacing of the well
2. Post perforation runs
3. Fishing applications

The main four categories of completion tools using during the displacement for completion:
1. Debris extraction tools
2. Jetting and bypass tools
3. Casing and riser cleaning tools
4. Other specialty tools

The displacement train consists of a series of pills and spacers that are pumped in a clearly defined
sequence and under-controlled flow rate.

The use of a base fluid pill is a requirement exclusive for the displacement of non-aqueous fluids

Push pill characteristics are high density and high viscosity

Wash pill characteristics are low density and low viscosity

The displacement success metrics are:

1. Time
2. Cleanliness
3. HSE
4. Cost

Current well cleaners are using surfactants that are more compatible with environmental regulations
and have a lower impact than solvent cleaners. True

Homework 20

Breaker systems aid in the removal of filtercake and potential causes of formation damage to the
reservoir, in order to improve productivity or injectivity of treated wells. True

Capabilities of the different breaker systems used in the oil industry:

1. Acids – can remove both polymers and carbonates
2. Chelating agents – Can Remove only calcium carbonate
3. Enzymes – Can remove only polymers

Acids can be placed in the reservoir to remove the damage caused by drilling and completions fluids.
True

The most commonly used acid in the oil industry as cake breaker is Hydrochloric acid
Disadvantages of using traditional acid breakers:
1. Risky operation from HSE perspective
2. Uneven distribution in the wellbore
3. Requires special equipment
4. Potential wormholing
i. All of the above

False>Traditional acid breakers can ensure the complete removal of the filtercake. <False

The BaraNFlow breakers offer a delayed reaction, providing uniform distribution, reducing HSE risk, and
preventing the threat of corrosion and formation damage. True

False>The BaraNFlow breaker can only be used with water-based fluid filtercakes. <False

From the HSE perspective, one of the advantages of the BaraNflow system is that it does not require
special handling equipment on surface. True

False>The BaraNFlow reaction time is always the same, which limits it’s range of application. <False

Packer fluids are fluids that are deposited in the annular section between the outer casing and
production pipe (tubing) of a well above a packer.

False> One of the functions of packer fluids is to minimize the hydrostatic pressure necessary to control
the well in case of a packer failure or leaks. <False

The main packer fluid characteristics:

1. Must remain pumpable
2. Must be chemically and mechanically stable
3. Must not damage the producing formation
4. Must not cause corrosion

False> Drilling fluids are desirable as packer fluids. <False

Given the right conditions, a completion fluid can be used as a packer fluid. True

The N-SOLATE packer system are unique high performance insulating packer fluids designed to reduce
undesired heat flow by controlling both conduction and convection.

Homework 21

Hole cleaning can be defined as the ability of the drilling fluid to transport drilled cuttings/cavings to
surface or to keep them suspended during a static state. True

Some of the good practices that can aid in hole cleaning:

1. Control fluid parameters

2. Optimize mechanical separation equipment
3. Increase circulation

False> an evidence of good hole cleaning is a buildup in solids inside the annular space, that leads to a
stuck pipe situation. <False
Some signs of inadequate hole cleaning:

1. Stuck pipe
2. Quick increase of ECD when pipe rotation is initiated
3. Tight hole and/or pack offs
4. Widely fluctuating rotating torque
5. Issues maintaining angle when sliding

Inadequate hold cleaning can affect the drilling process, especially when building directional wells. The
development of cutting beds can deviate the angle of the well while sliding. True

Factors that can affect hole cleaning efficiency:

1. Angle of well
2. Density, size & shape of cuttings
3. Drill pipe eccentricity
4. Drilling rate (ROP)
5. Drill pipe rotation
6. Flow Rate
7. Drilling fluid rheological properties
8. Drilling fluid density

As the angle of deviation of the wells increases, so does the difficulty in transporting the cuttings. True

False> in general, vertical wells are the hardest to clean due to the effect of slip velocity<False

The formation of a cuttings bed is more pronounced when the angle of inclination of the well is greater
than 30 degrees. True

For angles between 40o=60o, a turbulent or transition flow and a low rheology fluid is the most effective
combination for minimizing the formation of cuttings beds, removing cuttings beds, and cleaning high
angle wells. True

False>Cuttings and cuttings beds will be removed more effectively under laminar flow. <False

It has been demonstrated that in angles between 60 o – 90o, high viscosity pills do not increase the hole
cleaning efficiency and can actually reduce the flow rates below the drill pipe, where bed cuttings
accumulate. True

Flow rate can impact hole cleaning efficiency; however it needs to be controlled to avoid issues such as:

1. Lead to a stuck pipe

2. Generate hole washout
3. Exceed capacity of the pumps
4. High ECD
i. All of the above

An increase in fluid density will cause an increase in the buoyancy, thus improving the hole cleaning
characteristics at any inclination.
The rheology of the drilling fluid should be carefully adjusted to maximize the transport capacity,
minimize friction losses and minimize the impact on downhole pressures. True

False> The density, size and shape of the cuttings do not affect hole cleaning efficiency. <False

The following is harder to remove from the well: Heavy, longer, rounder cutting

False>An increase in the rate of penetration will result in a greater concentration of cuttings in the
annulus, which will improve the hole cleaning efficiency. <False

Drill pipe rotation can have a pronounced effect upon cuttings transport by mechanically agitating a
cuttings bed. True

When drilling a directional well, for hole cleaning purposes it’s recommended to try to rotate the drill
string as much as possible. True

The principal negative effect of drill pipe eccentricity in high-angle drilling is to sharply reduce fluid flow
under the drill pipe where the annular gap is narrow. True

Experience has shown that a maximum average percentage of cuttings of 3% (for the entire well) should
remain in the annulus, to avoid drilling issues.

For each interval (diameter section) of the wellbore, a maximum of 10% may be handled without
compromising the cleaning of the hole.

False>Field studies indicate that the rotating the pipe while drilling improves the hole cleaning efficiency
by approximately 5%. <False

False> For hole cleaning purposes, short trip while pumping is not recommended because they increase
the time to drill the well and could disturb the cuttings beds in the wellbore. <False

False>Sweeps are a primary tool to provide effective hole cleaning.<False

In the case of deviated wells, a combination of turbulence followed by high-density pills could help to
increase hole cleaning efficiency. True

Homework 22

The following best describes abnormal (sur-normal) pore pressure: pore pressure greater than the
defined normal.

The following best describes abnormal (sub-normal) pore pressure: pore pressure less than the defined
normal

The following can cause abnormal (sur-normal) pore pressure:

1. Tectonic movement
2. Reservoir structure
3. Clay diagenesis
4. Rapid deposition
The following can lead to wellbore instability:

1. Formation properties
2. Drill string
3. Drilling operations
4. Drilling fluids
i. All of the above

Surge and swab pressures can lead to well bore instability with frequent tripping.

Shale the most common formation type that causes wellbore instability.

Crooked hole with short dog-legs can cause a key seat.

Thick sticky wall cake across a sand can cause differentially stuck pipe.

Under-gauge bit can lead to an under gauge hole.

500ft is the minimal amount of annular footage a spacer should cover in a vertical well.

When displacing a water based fluid with a non-aqueous fluid. Non-aqueous fluid should be used as a
base for the spacer.

When displacing the wellbore the weight of the spacer should an average of the two fluids

False>The fluid pumped through the bit nozzles while drilling is in transitional flow. <False

The following problems can be caused by poor hole cleaning:

1. Stuck pipe
2. Tight hole
3. Formation damage
i. All of the above

In a high angle wellbore a weighted sweep could be used to improve hole cleaning.

In general a weighted sweep should be 2.0 ppg over the current mud weight.

At the same flow rate, a fully concentric drill pipe has a higher pressure drop than does an eccentric pipe
in the same hole section. True

The frictional pressure which causes the wellbore pressure to be lower when the BHA and drill string are
withdrawn from the hole is called a swab.

Surpassing the formation fracture pressure can lead to wellbore instability and loss circulation events.
True

The chemistry of the drilling fluid is important, because it can cause wellbore instability. True