Nanomagnetit-bentonit vizes közegű diszperz rendszereinek zeta-potenciáljának vizsgálata

The stability of different type nanomaterials play an important role among recent scientific and industrial challenges, including the examination of the effect of polymers, surfactants and their mixture on surface and electric surface properties and aggregation extent of dispersed particles, which are of utmost importance. Bentonite and its composite with different nanomaterials are frequently used for instance in environmental protection for wastewater treatment, since due to their great specific surface area they have excellent sorption properties. There are several publications in the literature for the application of bentonite in drilling muds. By using them the fluid loss can be decreased during the drilling process, the filtration of the fluid can be increased, it also improves the rheological properties and the formation damage can also be mitigated. During research the investigation and the analysis of the zeta-potential of nanoparticles and their composites at different pH and salt content can be an interesting topic. During our experiments the electric surface properties of nanomagnetite synthetized in laboratory (NM), cation exchanged bentonite from Mád (Be) and the composite particles of these particles were investigated. Hybrid particles of different compositions (9:1, 7:3, 1:1, 3:7, 1:9) were analyzed at different potassium chloride concentrations (0.1 – 0.0001 M). The surface adsorption on the surface, i.e. the change in the surface charge can be traced well by analyzing the obtained zeta-potential values. The behavior of such systems was observed in the full pH interval, thus, valuable data were obtained regarding the colloidal stability. As for the stability, different requirements may emerge in practice, there are application fields where the colloidally stable system is advantageous, on the other hand, in some cases, ceasing the stabile system is the goal. Our investigations are of high importance in terms of stability and its characterization [1].

Development of a Weighted Barite-Free Formate Drilling Mud for Well Construction under Complicated Conditions

Construction of oil and gas wells at offshore fields often involves high formation pressure and the presence of swellable clay rocks in the section. In addition, productivity preservation is also an important aspect. For this purpose, it is necessary to reduce the solids content of the drilling mud. The purpose of this work is to develop, improve, and study compositions of weighted drilling muds with low content of solids, on the basis of organic salts of alkali metals and polymers for the construction of wells prone to rock swelling and/or cavings, as well as drilling fluids for drilling-in the formation. In order to achieve the set goal the following is required: Analysis of existing drilling muds of higher density for drilling wells in unstable rock intervals and for drilling in the productive formation; analysis of experience in using drilling systems on the formic acid salts base and substantiation of requirements for flushing fluids during well construction; development and investigation of drilling mud compositions on the formate base; and the evaluation of inhibiting effect of systems containing organic salts, polymer reagents, and calcium carbonate on clay samples. The developed drilling mud is characterized by a high inhibiting ability that allows minimized mud-weighting by the natural solid phase. This reduces the volume of prepared mud and facilitates the regulation of its properties by reducing the dispersion of drilled cuttings; it eliminates problems related to hydration and the swelling of active clay rocks; and stabilizes unstable argillites prone to caving. The low solids content, low filtration rates, and inhibitory nature of the mud allows high stability of the rheological properties of the mud, and preserves oil and gas reservoir productivity under conditions of elevated formation pressure.

Case Study of Identifying and Minimizing Formation Damage in Tight Reservoirs Caused by Drilling Fluids in Abu Dhabi Onshore Operation Using Compatibility Coreflood Studies

A study was carried out to examine formation damage mechanisms caused by drilling fluids in tight reservoirs in several onshore oil fields in Abu Dhabi. Three phases of compatibility corefloods were carried out to identify potential to improve hydrocarbon recovery and examine reformulated/alternate drilling muds and treatment fluids. Interpretation was aided by novel Nano-CT quantifications and visualisations. The first phase examined the current drilling muds and showed inconsistent filtrate loss control alongside high levels of permeability alteration. These alterations were caused by retention of drilling mud constituents in the near-wellbore and incomplete clean-up of drilling mud-cakes. Based upon these results, reformulated and alternate drilling muds were examined in Phase 2, and there was a positive impact upon both filtrate loss and permeability, although the Nano-CT quantifications and visualisations showed that drilling mud constituents were still having an impact upon permeability. Candidate treatment fluids were examined in Phase 3, with all having a positive impact and the best performance coming from 15% HCl and an enzyme-based treatment. The interpretative tools showed that these treatments had removed drilling mud-cakes, created wormholes, and bypassed the areas where constituents were retained. The compatibility corefloods on tight reservoir core, alongside high-resolution quantifications and visualisations, therefore identified damaging mechanisms, helped identify potential to improve hydrocarbon recovery, and identify treatment fluid options which could be used in the fields.

Influence of spent drilling mud on sedimentation time of activated sludge flocs

Co-treatment of drilling muds with municipal wastewater in the reactors operating on the activated sludge principle constitutes a potentially safe method of their disposal. The method is based on the process of biological degradation of pollutants by assemblages of activated sludge organisms (prokaryotic and eukaryotic), which include different species described as functional and trophic groups. When the ecosystem in the bioreactor is in equilibrium, high wastewater treatment efficiency and process stability can be achieved. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative changes occurring in assemblages of activated sludge organisms may facilitate understanding the causes and mechanisms involved in the observed processes. In such a context, using a model of an SBR wastewater treatment plant, a study was performed to assess the feasibility of co-treating spent drilling mud with municipal wastewater using the activated sludge method. The floc constitutes the basic structural and physiological unit forming activated sludge. In this study, the sedimentation velocity of activated sludge flocs was analysed, and the obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis.

Dependence of the Equivalent Circulation Density of Formate Drilling Fluids on the Molecular Mass of the Polymer Reagent

Construction of offshore gas wells is characterized by increased requirements for both the technological process in general and the technological parameters of drilling fluids in particular. Parameters and properties of the used drilling muds must meet a large number of requirements. The main one is the preservation of the permeability of the reservoirs, in addition to the environmental and technological concerns. At the same time, pressures in the productive formation at offshore fields are often high; the anomaly coefficient is 1.2 and higher. The use of barite in such conditions can lead to contamination of the formation and a decrease in future well flow rates. In this regard, the development and study of the compositions for weighted drilling muds is necessary and relevant. The paper presents investigations on the development of such a composition based on salts of formic acid (formates) and evaluates the effect of the molecular weight of the polymer reagent (partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide) on the equivalent circulation density of the drilling fluid. The result of the work is a formate-based high-density drilling mud with no barite added. Application of such a mud will preserve the permeability of the productive formation.