The impact of particle size distribution of haematite‐based drilling fluid on perlite functionality

Abstract

AbstractDrilling fluid additives are essential in formulating an optimal mud composition for the desired geological formation. They provide different functions that enable the drilling process to reach a target zone. However, the effectiveness of these additives may be limited under certain conditions. The physical attributes of the weighting material additives such as solid particle size (particle size distribution [PSD]). The PSD can influence multiple drilling fluid properties, including the rheology, filtration, and filter cake properties. This work examined the performance of perlite when incorporated into water‐based mud with three different grades of haematite particle sizes. The investigation focused on the rheological properties, filtration, and filter cake characteristics utilizing two distinct filtration mediums: the ceramic disk and core sample. The results indicated that the PSD minimally impacts the filtration and the filter cake properties when the pore distribution of the filtration medium is uniform at low drilling mud density. However, a more pronounced effect was observed when core samples were utilized during the filtration test, reflecting the variation in pore distribution. Remarkably, perlite exhibited exceptional effectiveness in improving the drilling fluid properties. Its influence became particularly evident when core samples were employed as the filtration medium, demonstrating resilience against changes in both filtration medium pore distribution and haematite‐varied particle size grades. In this case, maximum improvements of 69%, 84%, and 86% were achieved in filtration volume, filter cake thickness, and filter cake permeability, respectively. Perlite showed an excellent performance at varied conditions represented by filtration medium and weighting material PSD.