Environmentally Sound Water-Based System Provides Obm Benefits; Offers Promise In Mediterranean Region Applications

A proprietary water-based drilling fluid system developed by Newpark Drilling Fluids, LLC, has proven effective in numerous Gulf of Mexico applications where oil-based muds (OBM) or synthetic fluids (SBM) have been the historical fluid of choice for drilling depleted sands, highly-deviated wells while ensuring production zone protection. These complex polyol fluids formulated with a blend of methyl glucoside and polyglycerol exhibit results comparable to those achieved with OBM and SBM in critical categories such as lubricity, wellbore stability and tolerance to common drilling contaminants, while achieving improved results as compared to OBM in environmental protection, total fluid cost and log interpretation. Lower equivalent circulating densities compared to OBM muds have also been achieved. The system provides wellbore stabilization and lubricity via a combination of polyglycerol and methyl glucoside, and reflects refinement in formulation resulting from years of research and development as well as extensive field experience. Results of tests conducted by OGS Laboratory, Inc., with its unique Downhole Simulation Cell, provided developers evidence of fluid performance in drilling actual formation samples under conditions duplicating in situ conditions. In many cases, these complex polyol systems are re-used on subsequent wells after conditioning and storage. Field use has included densities exceeding 2.16 SG (18 ppg) and the system is temperature stable to over 200°C (385°F). The geology of many Mediterranean region areas makes this type of mud a viable choice for operators seeking economical and environmentally acceptable alternatives to OBM. This presentation provides an overview of the system's development and the research that demonstrates its usefulness.