A comparison of the results of methods for measuring the efficiency of mud removal

Abstract

The proper cleaning of the annular space before cementing is one of the most important factors affecting the proper sealing of the casing column. Inadequate or incomplete removal of the mud cake or residues of the mud may result in the formation of uncontrolled gas outflows (migration or exhalation) at the contact of the cement sheath with the rock formation and with the surface of run-down casing. It is related to the lack of compatibility in the contact of the mud and the cement. Additionally, the lack of proper cleaning of the annular space will reduce the adhesion value of the cement sheath to the contact surface. The result of the above may be the lack of adequate stabilization of the column of pipes due to its weakened connection in the lower part with the wall, and in the upper part with the previous column of larger diameter pipes. Therefore, to improve both the tightness of the borehole as well as the quality of the cementation condition, laboratory tests of the efficiency of cleaning the annular space are carried out by measuring the efficiency of washing mud removal. So far, measuring the efficiency of mud removal or the effect of washing utilization have been done using a rotary viscometer. During the test, a mud cake is produced on the rotor surface and then removed with washing liquid. Recently, the Oil and Gas Institute – National Research Institute developed a new method for measuring the efficiency of drilling mud removal by using a newly developed drilling fluid flow simulator (Patent P.423842). The device enables the simulation of the drilling fluid flow (drilling fluid, washing fluid, spacer) in the simulated annular space. It is possible to select the parameters of the flow (delivery rate) and the contact time of the liquid with the tested surface. Due to the different measurement principles during the tests with the viscometer and the simulator, it was decided to conduct a comparison and determine the degree of convergence of the discussed methods. The same rinsing liquids were tested to remove the same type of mud, but using different measurement methods. The obtained values of mud removal efficiency were subjected to the correlation analysis, which made it possible to compare the results of the analyzed measurement methods.