How new biopolymers can improve muds

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Drilling Contractor; (United States)

OSTI ID:5909534

Dino, D; Lindblad, D E; Moorhouse, R ^[1]

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1. Rhoene-Poulenc Inc. (France)

Xantham gum was introduced as a drilling-fluid component in the mid-1960s, but its use has risen noticeably since 1970, as prevalence of inhibitive polymeric drilling fluids has increased. Xanthan is known for its ability to build viscosity in both fresh water and salt solutions, its exceptional shear-thinning properties, and its tolerance to pH, all without environmental problems. Although biopolymers like xanthan typically represent only 0.25--1.5 lb/bbl of a drilling fluid, they are critical in building rheology, from spudding to the special demands of angled drilling and well completion. They add properties to muds which expand their use across a variety of formations and over a wide temperature range. Beyond xanthan, another useful class of biopolymers are the guar gums. Just as muds incorporating xanthan have been in the mainstay in rheology building over the years for many muds, fluids incorporating guar have long been the backbone of fracturing fluids. Guar and its derivatives are extremely versatile as rheology modifiers, particularly when used in conjunction with xanthans. In fact, xanthan/guar combinations have already been enhancing the effectiveness of muds at drill sites in the US. This paper reviews the performance of mixed xantham/guar additives to obtain an even better mud control system.

• OSTI ID: 5909534
• Journal Information: Drilling Contractor; (United States), Vol. 49:6; ISSN 0046-0702
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
DRILLING FLUIDS
ADDITIVES
PERFORMANCE
FRACTURING FLUIDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PH VALUE
RHEOLOGY
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
VISCOSITY
WELL DRILLING
DRILLING
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EVALUATION
FLUIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYMERS
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing