Tests point the way for high-temp foams

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Drilling-DCW; (United States)

OSTI ID:5871521

Tests at Sandia National Laboratories have identified organic surfactants that show promise of producing aqueous foam drilling fluids that will withstand the elevated temperatures encountered in drilling geothermal wells. Aqueous foams--a mixture of surfactant, water and gas, commonly air--are used in oil and gas drilling where temperatures do not exceed 200 F, but are not suitable for geothermal drilling where temperatures of 500/sup 0/F and pressures of 500 psi are encountered. The foams are of interest in geothermal drilling because of their high viscosity. They can be pumped at lower rates and thus produce less erosion of equipment than does the high- pressure air now used to cool drill bits and lift borehole cuttings to the surface. The low density of the foams-- about the consistency of shaving cream--could reduce lost circulation that occurs when drilling fluids invade the reservoir formation.

• OSTI ID: 5871521
• Journal Information: Drilling-DCW; (United States), Journal Name: Drilling-DCW; (United States) Vol. 44:8; ISSN DRDCD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150901* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Drilling Technology & Well Hardware
AIR
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
DRILLING
DRILLING FLUIDS
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOAMS
GASES
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LOST CIRCULATION
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SANDIA LABORATORIES
SURFACTANTS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TESTING
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VISCOSITY
WATER
WATERFLOODING
WELL DRILLING
WELLS