KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Theses
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Water-Based Drill-In Fluid Optimization Using Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanoparticles as a Fluid Loss Additive

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Available after: 2020-05-31 (6.609Mb)
    Issue Date
    2018-05-31
    Author
    Whatley, Lucas Brandon
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    151 pages
    Type
    Thesis
    Degree Level
    M.S.
    Discipline
    Chemical & Petroleum Engineering
    Rights
    Copyright held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    It is well known within industry that conventional drilling fluids can damage the well’s producing zone. Damage mechanisms occur due to leakage of drilling fluid into the formation even after the formation of a filter cake. This filtrate contains entrained particulates that can enter the pore spaces of the rock and restrict flow through the pore throats resulting in reduced permeability during production. Cleaner drill-in fluids with low solids content have been developed for use when drilling through a producing zone in an attempt to mitigate the extent of damage caused by leak-off. These fluids should not only provide excellent fluid loss prevention, but also exhibit the rheological characteristics needed to perform the traditional functions of conventional fluids. Even though these fluids reduce the amount of particulates entering the formation by containing less solids, the filtrate that is still able to flow through the filter cake can be equally as damaging. Reduction of filtrate volumes can be further achieved by introducing nanoparticles to bridge across the nano-sized gaps within the filter cake. This research focuses on the application of polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (PECNP) as a fluid loss additive to further enhance the filter cake filtration properties of a general drill-in fluid. A baseline fluid is formulated consisting of a sodium chloride brine, biopolymers for rheology and fluid loss purposes, and calcium carbonate as a density and bridging agent. The ratio and pH of polyelectrolytes were optimized in order to create stable PECNPs for this system. Different dilutions of PECNPs were added and tested in a static fluid loss setup, where filtrate volumes were compared to determine the best system of 1/8th diluted nanoparticles. The chosen system was then taken to be tested in the dynamic fluid loss setup “Quasimodo” where fluid loss volumes were successfully reduced and wall building coefficients lowered. Analysis of cleanup curves after testing revealed that the PECNP drill-in fluid was less damaging to the core permeability than when the baseline fluid was used.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/29316
    Collections
    • Engineering Dissertations and Theses [1055]
    • Theses [3825]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps