ANALYSIS OF DYNAMIC AND STATIC FILTRATION AND DETERMINATION OF MUD CAKE PARAMETERS

Abstract

Drilling operations around the world employ a concept called overbalance. During this process, it is well known that dynamic and static filtration can occur. Thin filter cakes and low fluid-invasion rates are extremely desirable to promote optimal logging conditions and permeability return. The aim of this work was to compare the different behavior between dynamic and static filtration in drilling wells. To investigate the filtration process of Newtonian suspensions, we built a dynamic and static filtration loop with which we acquired experimental filtration volume data as a function of time. The filtration loop included a tank mixer where a Newtonian aqueous calcium carbonate polydisperse suspension was homogenized. The suspension was pumped through tubes to a dynamic or a static filtration cell. We validated a theoretical model based on Darcy’s law and on mass conservation proposed by Ferreira and Massarani (2005). That model predicted mud cake buildup and filtrate flow rate for Newtonian suspensions. Relying on both models and the experimental data, filter cake parameters were calculated. We discuss, based on these parameters, the effects of the filtration configuration in dynamic and static modes. Finally, we generalized Ferreira and Massarani’s model (2005) for procedures involving non-Newtonian suspensions. This new model can predict dynamic filtration and fluid invasion for non-Newtonian suspensions as drilling fluids.