The viability of slim-hole drilling onshore Trinidad

Abstract

Slim-hole drilling refers to the drilling of a well with a wellbore typically less than 7 in. in diameter. Slim-hole drilling is beneficial to the low-budget operator as there are considerable savings on rig time and costs and the rig size is ideal for drilling in remote areas. During slim-hole drilling, drilling fluid hydraulics is of great concern since significant pressure losses can occur in the drill pipe and annulus due to the reduced annular clearances. In addition, the flow regime generated in a slim-hole and the compatibility of the drilling fluid with the formation can have an impact on the stability of the wellbore. Slim-hole drilling has been successfully conducted onshore Trinidad in the Morne Diablo/Quinam Block for a number of years. The most commonly used drilling fluid is saltwater-based mud since it is cheaper and easier to dispose of than oil-based mud. However, the open literature did not show any studies conducted to determine the impact of drilling fluid hydraulics and drilling fluid compatibility on well-bore stability. In this study, 25 water-based drilling mud formulations were prepared using different concentrations of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride. The rheological properties of each formulation were determined and the Bingham plastic and power law models were applied. The frictional pressure losses for three commonly drilled slim-hole configurations were then computed and compared. Outcrop shale samples from the area were then treated with each formulation and the percentage loss in mass due to hydration and disintegration was measured for each sample. The results from these two tests showed that of the mud formulations tested, overall, those with KCl (2.9%) and CaCl2 (0.7%), KCl (3.6%), KCl (0.7%) and NaCl (2.9%), NaCl (0.7%), and CaCl2 (2.9%) were determined as best suitable for slim-hole drilling for the well configurations used. For these mud formulations, frictional pressure losses using both rheological models were the lowest and provide adequate rheological properties. The outcrop samples also showed the lowest percentage loss by mass when treated with these formulations indicating that they possess the desired well-bore inhibition properties. However, formulations containing NaCl only are the least expensive with straight KCl formulations being the most expensive.