Psyllium husk performance in drilling fluid at elevated temperature and pressure conditions
Son Ly A B , Xiao Yu A , Xinsong Zhang A and Alireza Salmachi AA Australian School of Petroleum, Floor/Room 2.06, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: Son.Ly@student.adelaide.edu.au
The APPEA Journal 58(1) 112-120 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ17181
Submitted: 30 November 2017 Accepted: 15 January 2018 Published: 28 May 2018
Abstract
High performance water-based drilling fluid alternatives that meet performance objectives with minimal environmental impact must continually be developed. Drilling fluid performance is dependent on fluid characteristics, and among those most critical are viscosity and filtration. One avenue to improve drilling fluid performance is through enhancement by use of potent, water-soluble natural polymers.
Psyllium husk powder is an environmentally friendly natural polymer derived from ground-up surfaces of psyllium seeds (Plantago ovata). When in contact with water, psyllium husk powder forms a gel-like, extraordinarily viscous substance at very low concentrations. It was previously shown that pure psyllium husk is an excellent viscosity and filtration agent for water-based drilling fluid under standard conditions. Psyllium husk can also be used as a clay-extender to enhance viscosity and filtration performance of bentonite mud; however, further laboratory testing of this performance enhancement under elevated temperatures and pressures is required.
Extensive laboratory experiments were therefore conducted to test husk performance in bentonite mud under such conditions. An electronic rheometer and a temperature and pressure adjustable API filter press were used to evaluate viscoelastic and filtration mud characteristics respectively. Concentrations of 0.05–0.4% husk with 5% bentonite were tested at 25−120°C under 1500 psi. An optimal husk concentration of 0.1% was determined, increasing bentonite viscosity and yield point by up to 46.9% and 68.1% respectively. Filtrate loss rate and filtration cake thickness were reduced by up to 25.8% and 35.3% respectively. The optimal concentration was useable up to 70°C (~2800 m) before deflocculating was required.
Keywords: drilling, filtration, pressure, psyllium husk, temperature, viscosity.
Son Ly is a final-year student studying B. Engineering (Honours) (Petroleum) at the Australian School of Petroleum (ASP), University of Adelaide. Prior to his current study, Son worked in the financial services sector where he has five years of professional experience. Having recently completed a production engineering internship with a local oil and gas operator, he has a passion for production operations, drilling and completions engineering in Australasia and the Asia-Pacific. |
(Lillian) Xiao Yu is a final-year student studying B. Engineering (Honours) (Petroleum) at the ASP, University of Adelaide. Having completed a completions engineering internship abroad, Lillian is knowledgeable on hydraulic fracturing and has interests in production and down-hole completions engineering. She splits her time as a secondary school alumni ambassador mentoring young aspiring students and volunteering for her local church. Email: Xiao.Yu@student.adelaide.edu.au |
Xinsong Zhang is a final-year student pursuing a combined degree, B. Engineering (Honours) (Petroleum) and B. Science at the University of Adelaide. Before migrating to Australia, he earned a Diploma in Computer Science and was an experienced technical sales engineer for a major circuitry manufacturer in China. He is interested in transferring his critical thinking and problem-solving skills to the energy sector by utilising his knowledge from studies past and present. Email: Xinsong.Zhang@student.adelaide.edu.au |
Dr Alireza Salmachi is an assistant professor in the ASP, University of Adelaide. He holds a PhD in petroleum engineering from the University of Adelaide and a Master’s Degree in well design from Curtin University of Technology. Alireza joined the ASP in 2013 and he conducts applied research particularly on unconventional resources. He lectures on drilling and well-completion related topics to undergraduate and postgraduate students and is the program coordinator for the Master of Petroleum Engineering program in ASP. His research expertise includes fluid flow in unconventional gas reservoirs, production data and rate transient analyses, and well testing in hydraulically fractured wells. Currently, Alireza leads industry oriented research projects to study production performance of deep coal seam gas reservoirs in the Cooper Basin. His research particularly investigates permeability enhancement and sweet spot identification in deep coal seams of the Cooper Basin. Email: Alireza.Salmachi@adelaide.edu.au |
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