Solids-free brine-in-oil emulsions for well completion

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drilling Engineering; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/17161-PA· OSTI ID:7261385

Ezzat, A M ^[1]; Blattel, S R ^[2]

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1. Baroid Intl., Houston, TX (USA)
2. Baroid Drilling Fluids' R and D Group (USA)

An invert emulsion fluid composed of brine (e.g., NaCl, NaBr, CaCl{sub 2}, CaBr{sub 2}, and ZnBr{sub 2}) emulsified into hydrocarbon oil (e.g., diesel, crude, or mineral) was formulated with a mixture of nonionic surfactant emulsifiers. This paper describes laboratory investigations conducted to define the emulsion characteristics and to develop methods for controlling the fluid's rheological properties and emulsion stability at elevated temperatures. This system has oil as the external phase, and the stability of the emulsion in most cases is linked to the homogeneity and fineness of the brine-dispersed droplets. The emulsion stability is also related to its viscosity and to the strength of the interfacial film formed by the emulsifiers that coat the brine droplets. For packer-fluid applications, the solids-free invert emulsions offer several advantages over conventional oil- and water-based muds.

• OSTI ID: 7261385
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drilling Engineering; (USA), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Drilling Engineering; (USA) Vol. 4:4; ISSN 0885-9744; ISSN SDENE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
023000 -- Petroleum-- Properties & Composition
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201 -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BROMIDES
BROMINE COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM BROMIDES
CALCIUM CHLORIDES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM HALIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
COLLOIDS
CORROSION PROTECTION
DISPERSIONS
EMULSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL SLURRIES
FUELS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
MIXTURES
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
RHEOLOGY
SLURRIES
SODIUM BROMIDES
SODIUM CHLORIDES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SUSPENSIONS
WELL COMPLETION
WELLS
ZINC BROMIDES
ZINC COMPOUNDS
ZINC HALIDES