Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Selection of drilling fluids for minimizing coalbed damage. Final report, December 1981-February 1983. [Effect on permeability of coal bed near the well]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5206604

The following conclusions have been drawn from work performed in this project: (1) both of the fluids tested (a KC1/CaCl2 brine and drilling mud filtrate) caused a loss in permeability when flowed through coal; (2) the damage mechanism for brine is undetermined, but the major part of the damage from mud filtrate appears to be related to particulate matter plugging flow channels; (3) a decrease in net confining pressure, caused by drilling overbalanced, can increase the risk of formation damage; and (4) an increase in net confining pressure, caused by drilling underbalanced, can also lead to permeability losses. The three potential formation damage mechanisms have been particulate plugging, clay swelling and/or migration, and relative permeability effects. Laboratory investigations have added a fourth - pressure effects.

Research Organization:
Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (USA)
OSTI ID:
5206604
Report Number(s):
PB-84-132208; R-30553
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English