Zirconium additives for high-temperature rheology control of dispersed muds

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · SPE Drilling and Completion

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/28305-PA· OSTI ID:390069

Miano, F; Carminati, S; Lockhart, T P; Burrafato, G

Environmental considerations have stimulated new interest in the use of aqueous drilling fluids in situations where oil-based muds have previously been preferred. The least expensive and most widely used aqueous drilling fluids are dispersed muds made up with bentonite clay. These bentonite muds, however, possess limited rheological stability at elevated temperature and are also often formulated with chromium-containing thinners that are increasingly subject to environmental regulation. This paper describes a new zirconium-based rheology control additive of low toxicity that is extremely effective at extending the rheological stability of both chromium-containing and chromium-free bentonite muds at high temperature. The results of mud-aging experiments carried out between 150 and 200 C on both laboratory and field-conditioned bentonite muds illustrate the rheology-stabilizing characteristics of this additive. The low cost of drilling fluids formulated with the zirconium additive makes them attractive candidates for resolving the environmental issues and limited rheological stability of existing bentonite muds.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 390069
• Journal Information: SPE Drilling and Completion, Journal Name: SPE Drilling and Completion Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 11; ISSN 1064-6671; ISSN SDCOE5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
ADDITIVES
DRILLING FLUIDS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RHEOLOGY
WELL DRILLING