Influence of Clay Swelling Inhibitor in Filtration Properties of Water-Based Drilling Fluids

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the influence of the clay swelling inhibitor in the filtration properties of water-based drilling fluids. Drilling fluids were prepared with and without adding potassium citrate clay inhibitor. The following additives were used in the composition of the fluid: viscosity agent (xanthan gum), filtrate reducer (starch and low viscosity carboxymethylcellulose (CMC LV)), antifoam, bactericide, sealant (calcite), lubricant and pH controller. The concentration of inhibitor was used of 15, 20, 25 and 30 g/ 350 mL of water. We determined the filtration properties (filtrate volume (FV), spurt loss (SL), cake thickness (CT) and permeability (K)) of drilling fluids. According to the results, it was concluded that: (i) adding the inhibitor to the fluid promoted reduction of FV and K of fluids containing starch in the composition and (ii) the inhibitor promoted satisfactory reductions in the CT and increased of SL for all the studied fluids. Finally, the inhibited fluids prepared with higher concentrations of starch, CMC LV, calcite and potassium citrate than 25 g/ 350 mL of water showed the best performance compared to FV and SL.