The "U-Type" Wells History of Fuzzy Ball Drilling Fluids for CBM Drilling in China

Abstract

The fuzzy ball drilling fluids have been developed on the basis of the circulation foam and Aphron to control lost circulation effectively. There are some difficulties in drilling U-type well, such as well-bore stability, cutting carrying problem, large torque and friction at the horizontal section, and formation damage to coal-bed. The objective of this paper was to show some applications of fuzzy ball drilling fluids on U-type wells of the Ordos Basin and prove the superiority of fuzzy ball drilling fluid in CBM drilling. To the three mentioned cases, the density of fuzzy ball drilling fluid was 0.90~1.18g/cm3, the funnel viscosity was 45~72s, the dynamic shear force was 12~19 Pa, the PV was 13~19mPa·s and the pH was ranged from 7 to 9. To use the fuzzy ball drilling fluids, the average ROP increased above 10% with no borehole complexity, such as stuck pipe, hole enlargement causing poor cleaning and etc. These cases reflected excellent properties of the fuzzy ball drilling fluids including effectively sealing, good carrying and suspension ability, formation damage control and compatible weighted by inert materials. Furthermore, the fuzzy ball drilling fluids will not affect BHA tools like motors and MWD in CBM drilling.