THE EFFECTS OF DRILLING FLUID-SHALE INTERACTIONS ON WELLBORE STABILITY

Abstract

Wellbore instability, experienced mainly in shale sections, has resulted in significant drilling delays and suspension of wells in major Australian petroleum basins. These instabilities may be induced by either in-situ stresses that are high relative to the strength of the formations or physico-chemical interactions of the drilling fluid with the shales.

This paper describes fundamental concepts of mud pressure penetration and flow of water between the wellbore and formation due to their chemical potential difference, and associated mud support changes as the drilling fluid interacts with shales. Due to the low permeability of shales, the penetration of the drilling fluid filtrate would result in an increase in pore pressure over a considerable distance from the wellbore. This instability mechanism strongly depends on properties of the drilling fluid filtrate and pore fluid, and the rock material composition.

In addition to mud pressure penetration, water would be induced to either flow into or out of the formation depending on the relative chemical potential of the drilling fluid and the formation. A more stable wellbore condition could be achieved by optimising the chemical potential of drilling fluids.

Drilling fluid and shale properties required for the models, which are determined using analytical and laboratory techniques, are presented herein. The effects of the time-dependent mechanisms on wellbore stability are demonstrated for a polyacrylamide, an ester-based and an oil-based mud. The results demonstrate that a more effective mud support can be obtained by optimising the adhesion and viscosity of the drilling fluid filtrate, and chemical potential of the drilling fluid.