Chapter 2 - Fluid Loss Additives

Abstract

This chapter highlights different fluid additives. Losses may occur when the fluid comes in contact with a porous formation. This is relevant for drilling and completion fluids, fracturing fluids, and cement slurries. The fluid contains suspended particles. These particles move with the lateral flow out of the drill hole into the porous formation, which acts like a sieve for the suspended particles. The particles will therefore be captured near the surface, and accumulate as a filter cake. The hydrodynamic forces acting on the suspended colloids determine the rate of cake buildup and therefore the fluid loss rate. The fluid additives are divided into organic, inorganic additives, polysaccharides or cellulose-based Fluid Loss Additives, humic acid derivates, and synthetic polymers. The extent of fluid loss is dependent on the porosity and thus the permeability of the formation, and it may reach approximately 10 t/h. Because the fluids used in petroleum technology are in some cases quite expensive, an extensive fluid loss may not be tolerable.