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Prevention of Barite Sag in Oil-Based Drilling Fluids Using a Mixture of Barite and Ilmenite as Weighting Material

Author

Listed:
  • Abdelmjeed Mohamed

    (College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, 31261 Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)

  • Salem Basfar

    (College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, 31261 Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)

  • Salaheldin Elkatatny

    (College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, 31261 Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulaziz Al-Majed

    (College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, 31261 Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Drilling high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) wells requires a special fluid formulation that is capable of controlling the high pressure and is stable under the high downhole temperature. Barite-weighted fluids are common for such purpose because of the good properties of barite, its low cost, and its availability. However, solids settlement is a major problem encountered with this type of fluids, especially at elevated downhole temperatures. This phenomenon is known as barite sag, and it is encountered in vertical and directional wells under static or dynamic conditions leading to serious well control issues. This study aims to evaluate the use of barite-ilmenite mixture as a weighting agent to prevent solids sag in oil-based muds at elevated temperatures. Sag test was conducted under static conditions (vertical and inclined) at 350 °F and under dynamic conditions at 120 °F to determine the optimum ilmenite concentration. Afterward, a complete evaluation of the drilling fluid was performed by monitoring density, electrical stability, rheological and viscoelastic properties, and filtration performance to study the impact of adding ilmenite on drilling fluid performance. The results of this study showed that adding ilmenite reduces sag tendency, and only 40 wt.% ilmenite (from the total weighting material) was adequate to eliminate barite sag under both static and dynamic conditions with a sag factor of around 0.51. Adding ilmenite enhanced the rheological and viscoelastic properties and the suspension of solid particles in the drilling fluid, which confirmed sag test results. Adding ilmenite slightly increased the density of the drilling fluid, with a slight decrease in the electrical stability within the acceptable range of field applications. Moreover, a minor improvement in the filtration performance of the drilling fluid and filter cake sealing properties was observed with the combined weighting agent. The findings of this study provide a practical solution to the barite sag issue in oil-based fluids using a combination of barite and ilmenite powder as a weighting agent to drill HPHT oil and gas wells safely and efficiently with such type of fluids.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdelmjeed Mohamed & Salem Basfar & Salaheldin Elkatatny & Abdulaziz Al-Majed, 2019. "Prevention of Barite Sag in Oil-Based Drilling Fluids Using a Mixture of Barite and Ilmenite as Weighting Material," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5617-:d:275749
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salaheldin Elkatatny, 2018. "Enhancing the Stability of Invert Emulsion Drilling Fluid for Drilling in High-Pressure High-Temperature Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-15, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Abdelmjeed Mohamed & Saad Al-Afnan & Salaheldin Elkatatny & Ibnelwaleed Hussein, 2020. "Prevention of Barite Sag in Water-Based Drilling Fluids by A Urea-Based Additive for Drilling Deep Formations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Wen-Hui Kuan & Ching-Yao Hu & Li-Wei Ke & Jung-Ming Wu, 2022. "A Review of On-Site Carwash Wastewater Treatment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-14, May.
    3. Abdelmjeed Mohamed & Salaheldin Elkatatny & Abdulaziz Al-Majed, 2020. "Removal of Calcium Carbonate Water-Based Filter Cake Using a Green Biodegradable Acid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-10, January.

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    1. Abdelmjeed Mohamed & Saad Al-Afnan & Salaheldin Elkatatny & Ibnelwaleed Hussein, 2020. "Prevention of Barite Sag in Water-Based Drilling Fluids by A Urea-Based Additive for Drilling Deep Formations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-19, March.
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