The Functions of a Drilling Fluid

1. Remove Cuttings From The Well.

2. Control Formation Pressure.
3. Suspend And Release Cuttings.
4. SEAL PERMEABLE FORMATIONS.
5. MAINTAIN WELLBORE STABILITY.
6. MINIMIZE RESERVOIR DAMAGE.
7. Cool, Lubricate And Support The Bit And Drilling
Assembly.
8. Transmit Hydraulic Energy To Tools And Bit.
9. ENSURE ADEQUATE FORMATION EVALUATION.
10. Control Corrosion.
11. FACILITATE CEMENTING AND COMPLETION.
12. Minimize Impact On Environment.
13. Prevent Gas Hydrate Formation.
Relationship to Filtration

Filtrate Invasion:
1. ENSURE ADEQUATE FORMATION EVALUATION.
2. MAINTAIN WELLBORE STABILITY.
3. MINIMIZE RESERVOIR DAMAGE.

Filter Cake Formation:

4. SEAL PERMEABLE FORMATIONS.
5. FACILITATE CEMENTING AND COMPLETION.
Filtration

FILTRATION: - The loss of FILTRATE to a porous

and permeable formation.
Occurs when the hydrostatic pressure of the mud
exceeds the formation pressure, and there are
adequate solids in the mud to form a filter cake.
Filtration

A FILTER CAKE is formed on the face of the

well bore. Many times it forms inside the
formation, depending on the characteristics of
the formation.

The composition of this cake is determined by

the SOLIDS in the mud.
Filtration

TWO TYPES OF FILTRATION.

DYNAMIC FILTRATION- Occurs when the mud is
circulating.

STATIC FILTRATION- Occurs when the mud is not

circulating.
API (standard).
API - HTHP.
Fluid Loss - API (Standard)

CC’s of FILTRATE collected: (static) @

100 psi
30 minutes
ambient temperature
7.5 sq... in. #50 Watman paper
Fluid Loss - API - HTHP

CC’s of FILTRATE collected X 2 (static)

30 minutes
250 - 300°F (or higher)
3.75 sq. in. #50 Watman paper
500 psi - Differential Pressure
600 psi - TOP
100 psi - BOTTOM (back pressure)
Factors Affecting Filtration

TIME.
TEMPERATURE.
PRESSURE.
SOLIDS.
TYPE.
Hydration.
Deflocculation and dispersion.
Porosity, Permeability, Sorting.
Porosity

The Volumetric Fraction of Formation Not

Occupied by Solids.

Two types of porosity:

Absolute - Volume not occupied by solids.
Effective - Interconnected spaces.
Permeability

The Ability of a Formation to Transmit Fluid

(Through the Inter-Connecting Pore Spaces.)

Types of Permeability
Vertical Fracture Permeability - Limestones, Chalks,
and Some Shales
Matrix Permeability - Sand or Sandstone
Sorting

CONTROLS POROSITY & PERMEABILITY.

Large Pore Spaces Yield Good Porosity.

And High Permeability.

Poor sorting yields smaller pore spaces and

lower permeability.
Well Sorted Sandstone

GOOD POROSITY
AND PERMEABILITY
Poor Sorting

MUCH LOWER
POROSITY AND
PERMEABILITY
Filter Cake Quality

THIN & IMPERMEABLE CAKE

SOLIDS - Amount and type
SIZE
SHAPE
DISTRIBUTION
COMPRESSIBILITY - the ability to deform under
pressure.
Filter cake
Filter cake

16.8% 10.4% 3.0%

Solids Solids Solids

API FL = 560 cc’s 44 cc’s 15.6 cc’s

125.0 cc’s 22.0 cc’s 9.0 cc’s

1.5 min 7.5 min 10.0 min
Drilling Fluid Damage

Solids Entering Pore Openings.

Filtrate Containing Damaging Polymers.
Filtrate Containing Wetting Agents and / or
Emulsifiers.
Filtrate Incompatible With Formation Water.
Filtrate Dislodging Pore Lining Clays.
High Overbalance, Surge, Swab Pressure While
Drilling.
Choosing Fluid Loss Control Products

FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
Can it be used in presence of CALCIUM?
Can it be used in high SALT concentration?
Can it tolerate the TEMPERATURE present, or
expected?
Will it need a PRESERVATIVE?
Choosing Fluid Loss Control Products

FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
Will it produce a VISCOSITY RISE?
Will it SUPPORT WEIGHT MATERIAL with a
minimum of solids?
Is the COST too high for the particular operation?
Is it the MOST EFFICIENT under given
circumstances?
Improper Filtration Control

PROBLEMS:
FILTRATE
Washout and ledge formation
Formation evaluation problems
Formation damage
CAKE
Tight spots
Stuck pipe
Pressure surges
Cementing problems
Proper Filtration Control

Control Fluid Loss Value and Cake Thickness By:

Controlling solids
Amount
Type
Using the correct products for the situation
Temperature
Ions in solution
Economics
Good Filter Cake

Mud flow
Filter cake

Other fine solids

Bentonite

Bridging solids

Filtrate invasion

Sand matrix

Formation fluids
Flocculated Filter Cake

Mud flow
Filter cake

Other fine solids

Bentonite

Bridging solids

Filtrate invasion

Sand matrix

Formation fluids