The Effect of Nano Materials on Lost Circulation Control of Azkand Formation in Khabaz Oil Field

Experimental tests were carried to control lost circulation in the Khabaz oil field using different types of LCMs including Nano-materials. A closed-loop circulation system was built to simulate the process of lost circulation into formations. Two dolomite plugs were used from different depths of the formation of Azkand in Khabaz oil field. The experimentations were carried out to study the effect of different types of LCMs, cross-linked copolymer (FLOSORB CE 300 S), SiO2 NP, and Fe2O3 NP, on mud volume losses as a function of time. The rheological measurements of the nanoparticles-reference mud system showed that both of the SiO2 NP and Fe2O3 NP worked best at 1.2 g/l. and the closed-loop circulation system showed that SiO2 NP cured losses by 48.3% and 37.5% for core plugs 5C1 and 1C2 respectively which is better than Fe2O3 NP loss curing which was 37.9% and 31.3% for core plugs 5C1 and 1C2 respectively. On the other hand, FLOSORB CE 300 S- Fe2O3 NP-reference mud systems cured losses up to 69% with 0.25g/l FLOSORB CE 300 S and 79.3% with 0.5 g/l FLOSORB CE 300 S which is better than the FLOSORB CE 300 S- SiO2 NP-reference mud systems results.

Optimising deepwater drilling safety and efficiency in Australia with closed-loop circulation drilling systems

Closed-loop circulation drilling (CLCD) systems provide an increasingly viable alternative to open-to-the-atmosphere conventional drilling systems by emphasising the use of closed and pressurisable systems to allow a scalable approach that produces a range of benefits. These range from increased personnel and environmental safety to better data resolution and even greater control over the drilling process. This paper states how CLCD addresses a need in a post-Macondo world, where deepwater drilling is under intense and increased regulatory control, by providing flexible systems that supplement the safety and efficiency of deepwater drilling operations. Furthermore, it describes the details of how CLCD systems can be installed and used on moored and dynamically positioned drilling vessels, and points out how it may be deployed for deepwater conditions in Australia. Recent successes and issues encountered in the application of this technology in the Asia Pacific region are also shared.