Ester-based muds show promise for replacing some oil-based muds
- Statoil, Stavanger (Norway)
The use of ester-based mud systems, instead of oil-based mud, helped drill difficult shales and high-angle well sections, including one of the world's longest extended reach wells. Statoil has successfully used ester-based muds on ten wells during a 3-yr period. Although the results from the ester-based muds were satisfactory, Statoil continues to study other mud systems as alternatives to oil-based muds. In light of pending legislation regarding the use of oil-based mud in the North Sea, in 1989-90 Statoil began investigating various drilling fluids to replace oil-based systems and found ester-based muds were attractive. The paper discusses legal authorities, economics, working environment, marine toxicity, sea bed sampling, applications, and future plans.
- OSTI ID:
- 5897678
- Journal Information:
- Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Vol. 91:45; ISSN 0030-1388
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
DRILLING FLUIDS
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ECONOMICS
ESTERS
MARINE DISPOSAL
NORTH SEA
OILS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
SAMPLING
SEA BED
TOXICITY
USES
WELL DRILLING
ATLANTIC OCEAN
DRILLING
FLUIDS
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
REGULATIONS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production