A Success of Modified Water Based Mud as Drilling Fluid Optimization to Drill Shale Formation at South-S Wells

Abstract

Abstract This paper is to explain the optimization of using Modified Shale Inhibitor Water Based Mud (WBM) to drill up to 5,500 ft interval of K-formation reactive shale on South-S Gas Wells. By combining a comprehensive method consists of drilling fluid laboratory test and lessons learned in S area, the optimization was done by determining the amount or concentration of Polyamine & KCl combination, pure Polyamine, Polyamine & NaCl combination, and Pure KCl-Polymer in WBM system as a shale inhibitor. The comparison of shale inhibitor compositions were made by comparing the achieved optimization of drilling fluid program such as drilling time, cost economic, and environment aspect. The basic idea of the WBM optimization was to improve drilling time during drill 5,000 ft footage in 12-1/4" hole section in reactive shale formation as per drilling program. Laboratory test consists of Linear swelling meter with various parameter concentration of Polyamine & KCl combination, pure Polyamine, Polyamine & NACl combination, and Pure KCl-Polymer in WBM system as a shale inhibitor and cation exchange capacity test (CEC or MBT) was done using composite of offset well shale cutting. Experience showed that on 12-1/4" hole section, while facing reactive shale (CEC 18 - 24 meq/100 gr) from K-formation on South-S, modified WBM was proven to eliminate reactive shale issues and lead to budget saving without environmental issues.