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Vol. 58 No. 11

November 2006

Drilling and Completion Fluids

Formate-Based Reservoir-Drilling Fluid Meets High-Temperature Challenges

In the Belank field, reservoir temperatures average 315°F and reservoir sections are 3,500 to 4,500 ft drilled horizontally. A low-solids, brine-based reservoir drilling fluid was required because the wells use premium screens for sand control. Six wells were drilled with the sodium formate-based reservoir-drilling and completion fluids. The particle-size distribution and concentration of the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) bridging solids were monitored closely while drilling to ensure that filter-cake quality was not compromised.

Synopsis of SPE 98347

This article, written by Assistant Technology Editor Karen Bybee, contains highlights of paper SPE 98347, "Formate-Based Reservoir-Drilling Fluid Resolves High-Temperature Challenges in the Natuna Sea," by R.J. Bradshaw, SPE, R.M. Hodge, SPE, and N.O. Wolf, SPE, ConocoPhillips Co., and D.A. Knox, SPE, C.E. Hudson, SPE, and E. Evans, SPE, M-I Swaco, prepared for the 2006 SPE International Symposium and Exhibition on Formation Damage Control, Lafayette, Louisiana, 15-17 February.

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