Effect of Dissolution of CO2 and CH4 on the Flow Curve of Drilling Fluids

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31265/atnrs.867

Abstract

When drilling a well, careful choice of drilling fluid is essential to allow, among others, for well stabilization and lubrication of the drill bit. The apparent viscosity of a drilling fluid is one of its major properties affecting the ability to be pumped and to transport particles. However, when the drilling fluid is circulated in a well, it may meet components that affect its properties. Here we investigate the case of a gas kick, i.e., fluid from the rock formation entering the wellbore, and evaluate how the reservoir fluid dissolution affects the apparent viscosity of the fluids.

The drilling fluid-reservoir fluid mixtures are prepared at high pressure (400 bar) in a 1L piston bottle, and the apparent viscosity is measured with a high-pressure Couette cell provided by Anton Paar.  Several drilling fluids are tested, and as reservoir fluids, we perform experiments with CO2, CH4, or a mix of both. The results show that reservoir fluid dissolution decreases the apparent viscosity of the fluids at given temperature and pressure conditions.

The experimental results will be used to calibrate numerical models in order to improve a well-control evaluation software.

Author Biographies

  • Blandine Feneuil

    SINTEF

  • Elie N'Gouamba

    SINTEF

  • Jan Ole Skogestad

    SINTEF

  • Harald Linga

    SINTEF

References

(1) Skogestad, J. O.; Feneuil, B.; N'Gouamba, E.; Linga, H.; Aasen, A.; Skår, G.; Roggeband, S. M.; Nedrum, J.; Helgeland, S. CCS Well Control Impact of CO2 on Drilling Fluid Performance. In IADC/SPE International Drilling Conference and Exhibition; SPE: Galveston, Texas, USA, 2024; p D021S018R004.

https://doi.org/10.2118/217711-MS

(2) Skogestad, J. O.; Lund, B.; Feneuil, B.; N'Gouamba, E.; Aasen, A.; Linga, H.; Vold, L.; Bruton, Z.; Helgeland, S.; Ødegård, S. I. CO2 Well Control Scenario Prediction Using Experimentally Verified Models. In SPE/IADC International Drilling Conference and Exhibition; SPE: Stavanger, Norway, 2025; Vol. SPE-223812-MS, p D021S022R001.

https://doi.org/10.2118/223812-MS

(3) Skogestad, J. O.; Feneuil, B.; N'Gouamba, E.; Linga, H.; Aasen, A.; Skår, G.; Roggeband, S. M.; Nedrum, J.; Helgeland, S. Assessing Hydrate Formation Risk in Infill CCS Wells. In Paper OMAE2024-122640 presented at the ASME 2024 43rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering; American Society of Mechanical Engineers: Singapore, Singapore, 2024; p V008T11A057.

https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2024-122640

(4) N'Gouamba, E.; Feneuil, B.; Skogestad, J. O.; Linga, H.; Skår, G.; Roggeband, S. M.; Nedrum, J.; Ødegård, S. I. Integrity of Drilling Fluid As Primary Barrier for CCS Wells. In Paper OMAE2024-128597 presented at the ASME 2024 43rd International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering; American Society of Mechanical Engineers: Singapore, Singapore, 2024; p V008T11A041.

https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2024-128597

(5) N'Gouamba, E.; Feneuil, B.; Skogestad, J. O.; Linga, H.; Ødegård, S. I. CO2 Hydrate Inhibition in Drilling Fluids Using Mono-Ethylene Glycol. Paper OMAE2025-156972 accepted for presentation at the 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering 2025.

(6) Torsvik, A.; Skogestad, J. O.; Linga, H. Impact on Oil-Based Drilling Fluid Properties from Gas Influx at HPHT Conditions. In IADC/SPE Drilling Conference and Exhibition; SPE: Fort Worth, Texas, USA, 2016; p D031S019R004.

https://doi.org/10.2118/178860-MS

(7) Torsvik, A.; Myrseth, V.; Linga, H. Drilling Fluid Rheology at Challenging Drilling Conditions - an Experimental Study Using

Downloads

Published

2025-06-10