Micronized calcium carbonate to enhance water-based drilling fluid properties

Abstract

AbstractAdvanced drilling technique requires competent drilling fluids. This study tests micronized calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as a water-based drilling fluid (WBDF) additive. CaCO3microparticles were extracted from Aruma formation outcrop and studied for structural, colloidal stability, morphology, and particle size distribution. WBDF systems were prepared with varying quantities of CaCO3microparticles, including 0, 15, 30, and 45 lb/bbl, respectively. The addition of CaCO3microparticles was investigated in terms of the rheological, high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) filtration, barite sagging, density, and pH. The results showed that CaCO3microparticles are stable at a pH greater than 8. Moreover, fluid containing CaCO3microparticles exhibited an enhancement in rheological properties. The yield point increased by 29%, 34%, and 37% for 15, 30, and 45 lb/bbl of CaCO3respectively. In addition, the HPHT filtration also showed that CaCO3has a significant improvement in both filtration loss and filter cake thickness. The filter cake thickness decreased by 17%, 40%, and 65% at 15, 30, and 45 lb/bbl of CaCO3respectively. Static and dynamic sag maintained in a safe range at 30 lb/bbl of CaCO3microparticles. This study showed that using CaCO3microparticles along with conventional fluid additives improved the thermal stability and rheological properties of drilling fluid.