Engineered High-Performance Lightweight Thixotropic Lost Circulation Solution for Vugular and Natural Fractured Formations UAE Case History

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thein Zaw Phyoe ◽  
Jose Salazar ◽  
Eduardo Herrera Albuja ◽  
Saurabh Kapoor ◽  
Mohd Waheed Orfali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gel Strength ◽  
Strength Development ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Compressive Strength Development ◽  
Surface Section

Abstract Lost circulation while drilling across vugular or naturally fractured formations is a difficult challenge which will come with high cost for the oil and gas industry. When lost circulation encounter, the drilling company will result in nonproductive time and remedial operational expenses. Most of the fields in UAE are encountering lost circulation problems while drilling across surface sections, which are difficult to control with conventional lost circulation solutions. Newly engineered high-performance lightweight thixotropic proves beneficial to control losses in vugular and natural fractured formations. The main challenge while drilling the surface section in one UAE field is the total loss of returns and flowing formation. This leads to the inability to continue drilling due logistics to continue producing drilling fluid and to keep the well under control and risk of stuck pipe due to poor cuttings removal. Conventional low-density cement slurries have been widely used to cure losses while drilling, but with low effectiveness. A new lost circulation solution that combines lightweight (10.5–lbm/galUS) high-performance cement and a thixotropic agent produce an engineered high-performance lightweight thixotropic lost circulation solution with fast gel strength and improved compressive strength, enabling the plugging of large voids and fractures to recovery wellbore integrity required to continue drilling. Extensive laboratory qualification tests were performed for static gel strength development to confirm the plugging efficiency and compressive strength development. The results were promising with more than 110 lbf/100 ft2 of static gel strength in 10 minutes and compressive strength development of 1,000 psi within 24 hours at low surface temperature. In addition, a transition time (TT) with on-off-on test demonstrated more faster gel strength development was developed when the reduction of the shear rate and regained pumpable with reapplication of shear. In one of the wells, total losses were encountered while drilling across surface section. The lightweight high-performance thixotropic solution was pumped for the first time worldwide, proved that the innovative lost circulation solution was effective in curing the losses, and enabled the operator to continue drilling the section to TD. This case study demonstrates that the engineered system is effective in curing losses and reducing nonproductive time. The unique properties of more faster gel strength and enhanced compressive strength make this system more effective for treating a different types of lost circulation scenarios during drilling (Jadhav and Patil, 2018). New high-performance lightweight thixotropic cement lost circulation solution exhibits strong performance in curing total losses and establishing well integrity with reliability.

Advanced Light Weight Thixotropic Lost Circulation Cement Solution for Vugular and Natural Fractured Limestone Formations: UAE Offshore Case History

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahamat Habib Abdelkerim Doutoum ◽  
Romulo Francisco Bermudez Alvarado ◽  
Ahmed Rashed Alaleeli ◽  
Thein Zaw Phyoe ◽  
Jose Salazar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Gel Strength ◽  
Strength Development ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
High Compressive Strength ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Naturally Fractured ◽  
Compressive Strength Development ◽  
Surface Section ◽  
Fractured Limestone

Abstract Lost circulation while drilling across vugular or naturally fractured limestone formations is a costly challenge and has financial impacts including nonproductive time and remedial operational expenses. Many fields in the UAE are encountering notorious lost circulation complications, which are difficult to control with conventional lost circulation solutions while drilling surface sections. Novel lightweight thixotropic cement has proven beneficial to take control of severe losses in these vugular and naturally fractured limestone formations. The main challenge while drilling across the surface section in UAE offshore field is the heavy or total loss of returns. Drilling performance is affected due to poor hole cleaning, a risk of stuck pipe, surface fluid handling problems, and well control risks. Conventional extended cement slurries have been widely used to cure losses while drilling but with limited success. A new lost circulation solution combines lightweight (10.5- lbm/galUS) high solids fraction cement (trimodal system) and a thixotropic agent, which develop fast gels with high compressive strength. Thus, it enables plugging of large voids and fractures to deliver the wellbore integrity required to continue drilling with enhanced performance and efficiency. Intensive laboratory qualification tests focusing on static gel strength and compressive strength development was performed to tailor the new solution. The results were promising with more than 100 lbf/100 ft2 of static gel strength in 10 minutes and compressive strength development of 1,000 psi within 24 hours at low surface temperature. In addition, a transition time (TT) on-off-on test demonstrated more rapid gel strength development when the shear is reduced and regained fluidity with reapplication of shear. In one of the wells, heavy losses were encountered while drilling across surface section. The lightweight thixotropic solution was pumped for the first time worldwide and it was shown that the innovative lost circulation solution was effective in significantly reducing the losses and enabled the operator to continue drilling to section TD. This case study demonstrates that this advanced system is effective in curing losses and reducing nonproductive time. The unique properties of faster rapid gel strength and high compressive strength make this solution effective for treating a wide range of lost circulation events while drilling. Furthermore, the advanced lightweight thixotropic cement lost circulation solution exhibits strong performance in curing heavy losses and establishing well integrity with reliability.

scholarly journals Compressive Strength Development of High-Volume Fly Ash Ultra-High-Performance Concrete under Heat Curing Condition with Time

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (20) ◽  
pp. 7107
Author(s):  
Pham Sy Dong ◽  
Nguyen Van Tuan ◽  
Le Trung Thanh ◽  
Nguyen Cong Thang ◽  
Viet Hung Cu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Fly Ash ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Performance Concrete ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Strength Development ◽  
Ultra High Performance Concrete ◽  
Heat Curing ◽  
Compressive Strength Development ◽  
Curing Condition

This research investigated the effect of fly ash content on the compressive strength development of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) at different curing conditions, i.e., the standard curing condition and the heat curing. A total of 20 mixtures were prepared to cast specimens to measure the compressive strength at different ages from 3 days to 180 days. Additionally, 300 specimens were prepared to estimate the appropriate heat curing period at the early ages in terms of enhancing the 28-day compressive strength of UHPC with high content of fly ash (FA). From the regression analysis using test data, empirical equations were formulated to assess the compressive strength development of UHPC considering the FA content and maturity function. Test results revealed that the preference of the addition of FA for enhancing the compressive strength of UHPC requires the early heat curing procedure which can be recommended as at least 2 days under 90 °C. Moreover, the compressive strength of UHPC with FA under heat curing mostly reached its 28-day strength within 3 days. The proposed models based on the fib 2010 model can be a useful tool to reliably assess the compressive strength development of UHPC with high-volume fly ash (HVFA) (up to 70% fly ash content) under a heat curing condition that possesses a different performance from that of normal- and high-strength concrete. When 50% of the cement content was replaced by FA, the embodied CO2 emission for UHPC mixture reduced up to approximately 50%, which is comparable to the CO2 emission calculated from the conventional normal-strength concrete.

scholarly journals TRIAXIAL COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 901-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radoslav Sovják ◽  
Filip Vogel ◽  
Birgit Beckmann
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
High Performance ◽  
High Performance Concrete ◽  
Triaxial Compression ◽  
Material Design ◽  
Triaxial Tests ◽  
Strength Development ◽  
Ultra High Performance Concrete ◽  
Triaxial Compressive Strength ◽  
Compressive Strength Development

The aim of this work is to describe the strength of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) under triaxial compression. The main goal is to find a trend in the triaxial compressive strength development under various values of confinement pressure. The importance of triaxial tests lies in the spatial loading of the sample, which simulates the real loading of the material in the structure better than conventional uniaxial strength tests. In addition, the authors describe a formulation process for UHPC that has been developed without using heat treatment, pressure or a special mixer. Only ordinary materials available commercially in the Czech Republic were utilized throughout the material design process.

scholarly journals The potential use of pumice in mine backfill

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed A. Hefni
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Portland Cement ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Strength Development ◽  
Natural Pozzolan ◽  
Mine Backfill ◽  
Natural Pozzolans ◽  
Cemented Backfill ◽  
Compressive Strength Development ◽  
Potential Use

Abstract The use of natural pozzolans in concrete applications is gaining more attention because of the associated environmental, economic, and technical benefits. In this study, reference cemented mine backfill samples were prepared using Portland cement, and experimental samples were prepared by partially replacing Portland cement with 10 or 20 wt.% fly ash as a byproduct (artificial) pozzolan or pumice as a natural pozzolan. Samples were cured for 7, 14, and 28 days to investigate uniaxial compressive strength development. Backfill samples containing 10 wt.% pumice had almost a similar compressive strength as reference samples. There is strong potential for pumice to be used in cemented backfill to minimize costs, improve backfill properties, and promote the sustainability of the mining industry.

Development of New Models to Determine the Rheological Parameters of Water-based Drilling Fluid Using Artificial Intelligence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farqad Hadi ◽  
Ali Noori ◽  
Hussein Hussein ◽  
Ameer Khudhair
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Properties ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Gel Strength ◽  
Solid Content ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Fluid Properties ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Marsh Funnel

Abstract It is well known that drilling fluid is a key parameter for optimizing drilling operations, cleaning the hole, and managing the rig hydraulics and margins of surge and swab pressures. Although the experimental works present valid and reliable results, they are expensive and time consuming. On the other hand, continuous and regular determination of the rheological mud properties can perform its essential functions during well construction. More uncertainties in planning the drilling fluid properties meant that more challenges may be exposed during drilling operations. This study presents two predictive techniques, multiple regression analysis (MRA) and artificial neural networks (ANNs), to determine the rheological properties of water-based drilling fluid based on other simple measurable properties. While mud density (MW), marsh funnel (MF), and solid% are key input parameters in this study, the output functions or models are plastic viscosity (PV), yield point (YP), apparent viscosity (AV), and gel strength. The prediction methods were demonstrated by means of a field case in eastern Iraq, using datasets from daily drilling reports of two wells in addition to the laboratory measurements. To test the performance ability of the developed models, two error-based metrics (determination coefficient R2 and root mean square error RMSE) have been used in this study. The current results of this study support the evidence that MW, MF, and solid% are consistent indexes for the prediction of rheological properties. Both mud density and solid content have a relative-significant effect on increasing PV, YP, AV, and gel strength. However, a scattering around each fit curve is observed which proved that one rheological property alone is not sufficient to estimate other properties. The results also reveal that both MRA and ANN are conservative in estimating the fluid rheological properties, but ANN is more precise than MRA. Eight empirical mathematical models with high performance capacity have been developed in this study to determine the rheological fluid properties based on simple and quick equipment as mud balance and marsh funnel. This study presents cost-effective models to determine the rheological fluid properties for future well planning in Iraqi oil fields.

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