Cutting the cost of HP/HT cleanups: Novel high density cleanup package enables brine reclamation and reduces costs

Michael Richmond*, Alistair Hutton, Marcus Davidson, Siv Howard, Bob Frost, Stuart Leon, Marcel Jaspars

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingPublished conference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

With the passing of "easy oil," the need for high-pressure, high-temperature (HP/HT) drilling and completion fluids has increased. This has, in turn, increased the need for sufficiently robust cleanup methodology. This requirement for high density, solids free cleanup fluids drove the investigation into the use of cesium formate as the base brine. The use of cesium formate brings unique challenges to the cleanup, most notably, the cost implications. The high price of cesium formate brine means that any losses could severely impact upon the cost of the cleanup operation. Furthermore, any brine used in cleanup pills that could not be recovered for re-use would have to be considered as lost. It was, therefore, imperative to return the brine to its original condition, thereby avoiding the need to dispose of a very expensive commodity. This paper will look at the laboratory testing surrounding the development of a high density cleanup fluid (HDCUF) and the ability to remove the contamination from the brine to bring it back to an acceptable condition. The cleanup spacers were made up with cesium formate brine and several approaches to remove the contamination were investigated. Contamination was from both the chemicals used to formulate the cleanup spacer and from the oil based drilling fluid that would be used to drill the wells. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy was used to measure the level of contamination in the brine. The results of the study showed that, using the method selected, it was possible to remove the cleanup chemicals to an acceptable level where the cesium formate brine was able to be re-used. This would enable the operator to recover the brine and avoid the significant costs from losing the volume and disposing of the waste.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition 2011
Pages752-757
Number of pages6
Volume2
Publication statusPublished - 13 Jun 2011
EventSPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition 2011 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Duration: 1 Mar 20113 Mar 2011

Conference

ConferenceSPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition 2011
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityAmsterdam
Period1/03/113/03/11

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