Fluid-loss control through the use of a liquid-thickened completion and workover brine
A new liquid thickening agent has been developed for controlling fluid loss of clear brines. This control is of critical concern during the completion or workover of an oil, gas, or service well. Many clear brines are expensive (up to $800/bbl for some concentrations). The loss of these fluids to the formation can become a significant completion/workover expense. From a safety standpoint, the loss of clear brines to a formation may create a reduction in hydrostatic pressure, which would increase the potential of a well kick or blowout. The newly developed agents function in brines with densities from 9.1 to 19.2 lbm/gal. They are superior to the traditionally used polymer because they start to build viscosity instantly, without the formation of ''fish eyes.'' The viscosity developed in the clear brines through the addition of these materials can be broken easily at the surface by the addition of small amounts of commonly available breakers. Brines containing this polymer show little or no permanent return permeability damage. The properties of the materials as fluid-losscontrol additives in clear brines, their nondamaging characteristics, and rheological properties of the thickened brines are described. Case histories support the advantages of these properties.
- Research Organization:
- Dowell Division of Dow Chemical U.S.A.
- OSTI ID:
- 5360037
- Journal Information:
- J. Pet. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Pet. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 35:10; ISSN JPTJA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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