The Prevention of Differential Pipe Sticking Problems Caused by Water-based Drilling

Abstract

The differential pipe sticking is one of the major drilling problems faced by the driller with water-drilling fluids when it is developed using bentonite clay. In this work, the effect of a vegetable oil on the water-based drilling fluids was studied using Fann VG meter, ñubricity tester, and stickance tester for the control of this problem. The vegetable oil selected in this study is linseed oil as it is eco-friendly. The suitability of linseed oil in drilling fluid formulation is compared with the non–vegetable oil–based lubricant The experimental investigation furnishes that with the use of linseed oil, drilling fluid is able to maintain the rheological properties and control the filtration loss. The sticking tendency of the drilling fluid is also reduced significantly which shows that it may be quite suitable for the prevention of differential pipe sticking problems caused by water-based drilling fluids. It has been also observed that linseed oil has shown better result than the non vegetable oil–based lubricant and it is economical.