SPE 151642

Design and Application of Drilling Fluids for HPHT Well - A Case Study of
Mafia Field
A.B.ORIJI, SPE and A.DOSUNMU, SPE: UNIVERSITY OF PORT-HARCOURT

Copyright 2012, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the North Africa Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Cairo, Egypt, 2022 February 2012.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
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Abstract
It is very important to design a stable mud system for any detailed drilling programs. Application of the best practices and
well planned engineering field execution is critical in drilling and completing HPHT wells in a cost effective manner and
minimal operational problems. Conventional mud designs and test equipment fell short of addressing the inherent problems
associated with HPHT wells. In this study, the conventional practices in mud design were reviewed and advances in design
for best practices developed for Mafia field. Many of the conventional practices were actually found to be inadequate for
HPHT drilling. This paper present techniques on determining and applying mud properties at HPHT deep wells through a
rigorous laboratory test and mathematical equations to generate detailed engineering guidelines for HPHT drilling fluids
.Water based mud were formulated with special additives at temperature between 250-500oF and 5,000-10,000 psi to check
for its stability under such elevated temperature and pressure. A standard temperature concept used for controlling the surface
mud weight was defined. With the actual field results from the Mafia field, model equations were developed and the
sensitivity analysis done to show the relative influence of pressure and temperature on the drilling fluids using the spider and
tornado plots . The model equations derived from the multiple regression analysis were used to predict and rank the best
rheological properties for the field , thereby saving the time and rigors associated with laboratory experiments.
Introduction
Over the years, the drilling for oil and gas is a high risk and challenging venture. Despite the uncertainly and the problem
associated with the drilling operations, HPHT wells are being drilled everyday. In order to overcome these problems, the
drilling engineers must prepare for these challenges so as to meet the expected revenue and the time allocated for a particular
drilling job. Drilling fluids are usually formulated to meet certain properties to enable it carry out the basic functions. HPHT
are by far the most prevalent problem affecting the drilling fluids by destroying the mud properties and slowing down the
drilling rate. To optimize the drilling mud performance, we then need to understand the nature , the geology of the formation
and the basic functions of the drilling mud .Most formations are at very high temperature and pressure at a considerable
high depth into the earth. Hence there is the need for a proper balance of this temperature and pressure to avoid oil and gas
surge, kicks, formation damage and other drilling hazards associated to HPHT in geothermal oil and gas well. Many of the
conventional chemical additives for drilling fluids are quite unsuitable for use at very high temperature and pressure,
therefore, advances and modifications of formulation or the development of entire new drilling-fluid materials is a matter of
continuous research. The choice of any drilling fluid used in HPHT well construction has a critical influence on the extent to
which an operator can meet his objectives because the fluid performance will play a significant part in determining whether
key performance indicator targets like well control, safety incidents, well integrity and productivity index are met22. Very
high Bottom hole temperature and pressure actually degrades the rheological properties of conventional mud causing both
dynamic and static Barite sag thereby increasing the risk of loss of well control more particularly in high angle wells.
However, drilling for oil and gas in HPHT area is now one of the greatest technological breakthrough in recent decades, and
many new techniques have been developed to profit from the abundance of oil and gas from this harsh environment. The
demand for oil and gas is increasing by the day, and to meet this demand, oil and gas need to be discovered in environments
new to the petroleum industry. To do this, technologies used in conventional terrains have been modified to adapt to this

SPE 151642

difficult environments. For HPHT wells, it is evidence by the new set of drilling fluids and its applications. Oil and gas
production wells are now drilled more or less routinely in HPHT fields even though drilling is often more difficult,
expensive, and dangerous than for an oil and gas well of equal depth in a normal temperature and pressure wells. Therefore,
successful drilling of HPHT wells critically depends on the drilling fluids engineering designs and applications for specific
down hole conditions.
Background Information
The first deep test well to be drilled in East Africa was located on Mafia Island off the Tanganyika coast. The Island is
approximately 30 miles long in south-south-west and north north- east direction. It lies approximately 15 miles from the
mainland at the mouth of the Rufiji River. Mafia well 1.(MAF-1), being the first stratigraphic test well in East Africa was
placed as far out as possible into the basin of Mesozoic and Tertiary sedimentation of the Indian Ocean in order to obtain the
most complete record possible of this formation. This, together with the knowledge that such beds are more fully developed
in the southern part of the coastal belt of Tanganyika, led to the consideration of Mafia island as a possible site for the well.
In order to combine the stratigraphic test with an investigation of the oil potentials of the area, some positive structure which
might act as a trap for oil accumulations in the island consisted of solid rocks of active reef formation and which lies close
to the extensive Mafiji delta. It was then thought that the island might represent a positive structural element in the middle
of an actively subsiding continental shelf. On these grounds, detailed geological and geophysical surveys of the island were
undertaken and the presence of a positive structure established beyond doubt. Mafia island was found to be mostly covered
by a thick blanket of loose sand and the majority of the surface rocks were discovered to consist of lower Miocene
Limestones. Mafia well-1 was then drilled in 1955 as a stratigraphic and exploration combination. The main objective was
to investigate the stratigraphic column in the Mesozoic and tertiary formations and then examine the petroleum production
potentialities of any reservoir bed especially from the main seismic high velocity medium. Though the drill string became
irretrievably stuck at 3368 metres in 1956 and the well was abandoned . The only suggestion of a structure prior to drilling
was the presence of raised lower Miocene at the surface and a confirmed high gravity over the central area of the island. The
well was bottomed in Campanian age sandstones and shales overlying undated volcanic rocks. Being extrusive and
interbedded with shales and sandstones. These volcanic were and are still considered to be of the same age as the sediments.
During this period only minor shows were recorded, although the numerous lost circulation zones with the resultant influx
of drill water, made any observation of shows questionable. In the recent year, 3-D,seismic prognosis showed that Mafia
field has temperature and pressure up to 500 deg. F(BHST), and above 10,000 psi (BHSP) respectively. The exploration
well Mafia deep well-1.(MAFD-1) was then planned to be drilled vertically at a total depth of 5000 metres with the
objective of evaluating the clastic reservoirs of the lower cretaceous lying below a thick, regional Upper Cretaceous sealing
shale interval. The sandstones were prognosed to be of excellent quality with porosities ranging from 10 to 21 percent
although some degradation was likely due to the greater depth of burial. This led to an investigation and development of
HPHT drilling fluids through experimental procedures, simulation studies , field application and execution project .
During drilling of Mafia deep well -1.(MAFD 1), the well was monitored daily for over one year involving fluid pilot
testing, fluid maintenance and designing/redesigning fluid programs according to well conditions to generate enough
drilling fluids field data to serve as offset well information for the developing and drilling of future wells in Mafia field.
.
HPHT Definitions and Classifications
HPHT well has been defined by United Kingdom Continental Shelf Operations Notice, as any well where the undisturbed
bottom hole temperature is above 300 deg. F and the pore pressure gradient exceeds 0.80 psi/ft . HPHT wells are classified
into three tiers . The first tier of HPHT wells refer to wells with reservoir pressures greater 10,000 psi to 15,00psi (689 bar
to1,034 bar), with temperature between 300 to 350 deg. F. Most HPHT operations to date have taken place under tier one
conditions. Tiers two are the Extreme HPHT wells, which are characterized by reservoir pressures greater than 15,000 psi
to 20,000psi and with temperatures up to 400 deg. F. Many upcoming HPHT deepwater gas/oil wells fall into the tier two
category. Tier three encompasses Ultra HPHT wells, with reservoir pressures greater than 20,000psi to 30,000 psi and with
temperature up to 500 deg. F. Tier three is the HPHT segment with the most significant technology gaps and several deep
gas reservoirs fall under this category leading to major changes in design criteria and operational procedures. The resulting
requirements may range from simple upgrade of existing designs to complete re-design with new materials, additional
analysis and geometries. HPHT wells are considered critical because of the more severe well conditions like borehole
instability, fractured formation and excessive lost circulation. Therefore, several design processes are needed and considered
to ensure construction of HPHT wells to a desired depth in a safe and economic manner. Hence, some of the most important
stages definitely involved good drilling fluid designs, applications and proper management.
HPHT Challenges
Although a number of HPHT wells have been drilled in different part of the world, these wells still present a drilling
challenge because technologies to effectively monitor down-hole pressures and temperatures are not well developed. Some

SPE 151642

of the major challenges includes:

A common problem in HPHT well is poorly cemented sands forming a highly unconsolidated formation that can
lead to excessive loss circulation of the drilling fluids.

Shale problems are more felt in HPHT wells and can easily lead to pipe sticking and poor hole cleaning causing
major well control issues.
HPHT can cause abnormal physical and chemical reactions of the active clays of the mud resulting to thermal
degradation and flocculation .
High density fluid is required, translating to high solids loading that could cause barite sagging leading to high
frictional pressure losses .
HPHT wells depend greatly upon the in-situ tectonic stresses and the formation pressure that can cause borehole
instability.
Considerable amount of time and cost is spent while drilling HPHT wells, particularly setting the production
casing and testing the reservoir leading to very small operating margins.

Actual knowledge of formation pressure, preventing a kick or circulation losses is very difficult particularly in a
fractured formations and in a highly unconsolidated formation.
Harsh conditions like Hydrogen sulfide(H2S), corrosive and erosive, complex, risky and prone to failure.
HPHT will shorten bit life and performance thereby increasing overall well engineering cost
HPHT wells require special drilling fluids, special cement slurry and special high performance equipment.
Conventional HPHT Drilling Fluids Design
Conventional drilling fluids have inherent limitations in HPHT drilling conditions. High loading of barite in conventional
mud creates high frictional pressure losses during circulation in long sections, leading to unacceptably high equivalent
circulating densities in narrow drilling windows . In conventional mud, HPHT can break down the solids-carrying capacity (
yield point) causing both dynamic and static barite sag and severely increasing the risk of loss of well control particularly in
high-angle wells. Conventional Invert emulsion fluids have been designed and utilized for drilling HPHT wells, but it can
also absorb large volumes of gas and this can cause well control problems if the mud remains static for long periods of time22.
To make things worse for the conventional design, an influx of hydrocarbon gas into a designed oil-based mud may
destabilize the formulation and cause rheological problems. However, It is more common occurrence to have hole washouts
while drilling with conventional water-based mud than for invert emulsion in HPHT wells. Hole washout can lead to poor
hole cleaning , increased chances of stuck pipe, poor wire-line log and bad zonal isolation17. Also, laboratory return
permeability tests done on some samples of conventional water based mud showed that they can cause considerable
formation damage and that the presence of very high levels of barite in high-weight mud formulated for HPHT wells did not
improve such situation.
Conventionally, plastic viscosity and yield point were used to define the specification of mud performance during design and
application. These two parameters were used to optimize mud formulations with the aim of achieving as low plastic
viscosity as possible. This worked well in most wells due to the large tolerable errors. However, for HPHT wells, this has
significantly increased the drilling problems such as lost circulation, surging/swabbing and kicks. The perception in the
industry was that the higher the plastic viscosity, the higher the equivalent circulating density, therefore efforts were made
during design and application to minimize the plastic viscosity in the optimization of mud engineering. Fennell and Gao
argued that the plastic viscosity and yield point were not very relevant to the equivalent circulating density as they were only
derived from the 600-rpm and 300-rpm readings of the Fann viscometer and therefore demonstrated that mud with a lower
plastic viscosity can also result in a higher equivalent circulating density than mud with a higher plastic viscosity particularly
in HPHT wells12.
Traditionally, during design and application most engineers measure the mud temperature directly from the flowline and
surface mud weight were not correlated against the temperature and were always assumed constant no matter the mud
temperature. The procedure led to significant errors of 5-15 deg.F different from the mud temperature inside the mud balance
for HPHT fluids at the time of measuring the mud weight thereby leading to errors in the actual mud weight. This could be
risky but can be prevented by measuring the surface mud weight so that it can be correlated with temperature as will be
discussed in the advances in the drilling fluids design for HPHT wells.
Advances in HPHT Drilling Fluids Design
Literatures showed that for non-HPHT wells, the effects of pressure and temperature on mud weight and rheology is minimal
and can be ignored. However, for HPHT wells the effects of pressure and temperature on rheology, surface mud weight, the
equivalent down-hole mud weight and the equivalent circulating density must be taken into consideration .Early
investigation into the effects of temperature on the rheological properties of drilling fluids were performed by Bartlett in 1967
and the study showed significant decrease in mud properties of a particular lignosulfonate mud when its temperature was
increased from 80OF to 140OF . Alderman et al1 made measurements on the rheology of several water-based drilling fluids at

SPE 151642

temperature up to 266OF and pressure up to 14,500 psig. Their data were then used for a three-parameter Herschel-Bulkley
model and power law model. In both models, it was observed that the behavior of the high-shear viscosity reflected the
viscous nature of the continuous phase showing a weak pressure dependence and exponential temperature dependence similar
to that of water. With the depth horizons of HPHT wells, a technology gap was recognized in the measurement of fluid
properties at down-hole conditions. Ron et al23 designed and fabricated a new viscometer, the chandler 7600 suitable for
HPHT fluids rheological measurement up to Working pressure of 40,000 psig and Working temperature up to 600F. For the
Mafia field, the laboratory experiment were based on factorial design concepts were series of test were performed using the
chandler model 7600 ultra-High pressure and High temperature viscometer to evaluate the performance of the drilling fluids
relative to its rheological behaviors. The Chandler model 7600 Ultra-High Pressure High Temperature viscometer is an
automated concentric cylinder viscometer that uses a rotor and bob geometry. All the test were conducted in line with
standard ISO and API procedures for rheology measurement at high temperature and high pressure .
Due to the inaccuracy in the traditional way of measuring flowline temperature and mud weight, a new procedure was
developed and implemented for the HPHT well in Mafia field, the advanced procedures included the following steps:
Take a sample from the flowline or active pit
Measure the viscosity (Marsh Funnel)
Flush the mud balance twice with the mud sample
Fill up the mud balance
Measure the mud temperature inside the mud balance
Measure the mud weight
Record the temperature and mud weight
Measure and record the flowline temperature
With the above procedures, the flowline temperature and the mud temperature at which the surface mud weight is measured
are different under HPHT conditions. The flowline temperatures were used to correlate and calculate the equivalent mud
weight and the temperature at which the flowline mud weight was measured were used as a baseline for surface mud weight
control. It was noted that maintaining a constant surface mud weight under HPHT conditions was very difficult as the mud
weight tends to increase due to water evaporation and accumulation of fine drill solids.. The surface mud weight versus
temperature chart was updated on a regular basis to correct for any changes which reduced well control issues to a minimal
level while drilling the Mafia deep well-1. These procedures were proved to be successful throughout the drilling of Mafia
deep well -1 to the expected target at 5600 metres.
Application
A number of rheological models , based on mathematical equations relating shear stress and shear rate conditions have been
previously developed in order to predict fluids behavior . However most drilling fluids are too complex to allow a single set
of equations to be used in determining their behavior under all conditions. Therefore the utilization of the appropriate
rheological model together with shear stress and shear rate data obtained from a suitable instrument allows accurate
determination of the fluid behavior under varying flow conditions found in the oilfield. The data obtained formed the basis
for further calculations used to determine several important aspects related to the drilling fluids performance. For the Mafia
field a software called HPHT Rheo-Analyzer was developed using a multiple regression analysis for a two factor factorial to
investigated the relationship between the effect of high pressure and high temperature on mafia drilling fluid properties.
Actual field data were assembled and regressed to estimate the quantitative effect of temperature and pressure. The
statistical significant of the estimated relationship provided the degree of confidence ,that is if the true relationship was close
to the estimated relationship. The mathematical model equations(1-4) described the relationship between the dependent
variables, the mud properties(PV,YP,GS,AV) and the independent variables(temperature and pressure: P/T). : A,B,C and D
are the coefficients, PV=plastic viscosity, YP =yield point, GS = gel strength, AV= apparent viscosity.
----------------------------------1
PV = A0 - A1P-0.5 + A2T-4 - A3 P2 T-3
-p/1000
-T/1000
2 -3 ----------------------------2
YP =
-B0 +B1e
+ B2e
+B3 P T
-------------------------------3
GS= -C0 + C1P-0.5 + C2T-6 - C3 P-2 T-3
2 -3 --------------------------4
AV=
D0 + D1 Log P + D2 Log T + D3 P T

Discussion
Factorial design is one of the most efficient ways of investigating experiments that involved the study of the effects of two or
more factors. It allowed the effects of temperature to be estimated at several changes of pressure and verse versa ,which
gave valid results over a range of experimental conditions especially with the interaction effect of temperature and pressure.
Temperature and pressure were the two factors investigated in order to develop a methodology for testing HPHT drilling
fluids using the automated Chandler model 7600 ultra-HPHT viscometer. The test were conducted at temperatures between(

SPE 151642

250-5000F) and pressures between(5000-10000psi) . Results were obtained at 600rpm, 300rpm, 200rpm, 100rpm, 6rpm and
3 rpm respectively. All the equipments used during the laboratory design were according to API specification for equipments
and testing procedures. The test results indicated that pressure and temperature can independently affect rheological
parameters as well as its interaction effects as shown in the sensitivity analysis plots thereby confirming the trend obtained
from the model results. Numerical results calculated from the model equations showed good agreement with experimental
values with less than 1% error. This helped to predict rheological parameters at different temperatures and pressures thereby
saving time and rigors associated with laboratory test. Also, the advances made in the modeling led to a better understanding
and the development of techniques in determining effective mud rheology which is critical for the analysis of drilling and
completion fluids.
Conclusion
Recent developments and advances have contributed to the successful drilling of HPHT wells in Mafia field with a stable
mud system, best practices and correct field execution .The following main conclusions about drilling fluids engineering and
management in HPHT wells can now be drawn.
Rigorous laboratory testing is necessary to generate detailed engineering guidelines for HPHT drilling fluids.
HPHT mud are very sensitive to treatments, therefore, pilot tests must be carried out before adding any
chemical into the active circulating system to ensure that any depletion of additives is compensated for.
A new viscometer has been designed which has met a higher design criteria for HPHT fluid testing up to
40,000 psig and 600F.
Once the minimum overbalance is determined for HPHT well, the standard temperature for surface mud weight
was defined. Thereafter the mud weight was maintained within a matrix which references the standard weight at
the standard temperature.
The mud balance was properly calibrated using the new established method and mud temperatures were
reported with any mud weight measurement because HPHT drilling cannot afford much errors in intended mud
weight due to wrong measurements.
The rig crews were briefed on procedures that differ from previously accepted practices and their roles during
well control issues. The was continuity of rig key personnel throughout the drilling operations.
Due to the reduced hydrostatic overbalance in the HPHT well, particular care was exercised immediately after
stopping any circulation and the well flow checked as much as possible.
A careful investigation on the rheological properties of the water based fluid at simulated HPHT was very
important and was carried out for precise hydraulic programs in order to calculate the pressure drop in the
annulus, predicting equivalent circulating density as well as controlling the bottom hole pressure.
Recommendation

It is recommended to combine drilling logs, offset well data, seismic data and drilling technologies driven by a
proper understanding of the HPHT effect on drilling fluids, so that future wells will be successfully drilled to
targets in terms of cost savings and minimizing time overruns on such drilling projects.
It is necessary that there should be a close collaboration between drilling fluid Engineers and Well Engineering
team during the period of design, planning, implementation and construction of HPHT geothermal wells to
enable them understand the basis and background of the project.
It is possible to drill HPHT wells with narrow mud weight window safely with minimal well control incidents, if
proper mud design , training of rig crew and continuity of key personnel are adhered to.

Acknowledgment
The Authors are greatly indebted to the Drilling Fluids Research Program at the Department of petroleum and Gas
Engineering of the university of Port-Harcourt . Special thanks to Mario Bertnori and Lauran Kokkinos of Maurel and Prom
for been of great assistance while I was working as a Drilling Fluids Specialist on the MAFIA FIELD.
References
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2.
3.
4.

Alderman, N.J, Gavignet, A, Guillot D, and Maitland G.C.(1988): High-Temperature, High-Pressure Rheology of
Water-Based Muds SPE 18035.Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas.
Azar, J.J. and Robello, S. G. Drilling Engineering, PennWell Corporation, Okhlahoma, USA, 2007.
Baroid Drilling Fluids Inc., Manual of Drilling Fluids Technology, Copyright Houston, Texas, 1990.
Bartlett, L.E(1967). : Effects of Temperature on the Flow Properties of Drilling Fluids,paper SPE 1861 .Annual
Meeting of AIME, Houston Texas.

SPE 151642

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Broughton G and Hand R. S. (1938) Viscosity Characteristics of Clays in connection with drilling mud,
Transaction AIME (1938) 1002, 69.
Chandler(2007):HPHTViscometer,ChandlerEngineering,Ametek:http://www.Chandlereng.com/products/drillingflui
ds.
Davison, J.M., Clary, S., Saasen, A., Allouche, M., Bodin, D., Nguyen, V.A.(1999): Rheology of Various Drilling
Fluid System Under Deepwater Drilling Conditions and the Importance of Accurate Predictions of Downhole Fluid
Hydraulics, SPE 56632, Houston
Elliott. G. S., Brockman. R.A. and Shivers III. R. M., HPHT Drilling and Completion Design for the Erskine
Field, SPE 00030364, presented at Offshore Europe 95, Aberdeen, Scotland, 5-8 September 1995.
Erhu, G. et al.: Critical Requirements for Successful Fluid Engineering in HPHT Wells: Modeling Tools, Design
Procedures & Bottom Hole Pressure Management in the Field, SPE 50581 presented at the 1998 SPE European
Petroleum Conference, The Hague, The Netherlands, 20-22 October 1998.
Erhu, G. et al: Continued Improvements on High-Pressure/High-Temperature Drilling Performance on Wells with
Extremely Narrow Drilling Windows Experiences from Mud Formulation to Operational Practices, Shearwater
Project, SPE 59175 presented at the SPE Drilling Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana, 23-25 February
2000.
Fambon. L., Joffroy. G., Successful Development Drilling of an HP/HT Infill Well in a Highly Depleted Reservoir:
Case Study, SPE 112708, presented at the 2008 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, 4-6 March
2008.
Fennell, B. and Gao, E.: Examining the Practical Aspects of Drilling a Horizontal HP/HT Well, paper presented at
the Latest Advances in Safe and Cost Effective HP/HT Drilling, Completion and Intervention, Aberdeen 19th &
20th November 1998.
Gao, E., Estensen, O., MacDonald, C. and Castle, S.: Critical Requirements for Successful Fluid Engineering in
HPHT Wells: Modelling Tools, Design Procedures & Bottom Hole Pressure Management in the Field, paper SPE
50581 presented at the 1998 SPE European Petroleum Conference, The Hague, The Netherlands, 20-22 October
1998.
Ibeh C. S (2007): Investigation on the effects of ultra-high pressure and temperature on the rheological properties of
oil-based drilling fluids. Texas A&M University
Michael R.M (2007) : Decision Analysis using Microsoft Excel. School of Business and Management. University of
San Francisco
Montgomery, D.C.(1991): Design and Analysis of Experiments, third edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York City.
Osama, B., Ahmed, K.: Custom Designed Water-Based-Mud System Helped Minimize Hole Washouts in HighTemperature Wells: Case History From Western Desert, Egypt SPE/IADC 108292, presented at the SPE/IADC
Middle East Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition, Cairo, Egypt, 22-24 October 2007.
Owolabi, O.O, Oriji, A.B, and Ajienka J.A. (1991): Effects of Temperature and Salt on the Rheological properties
of Kaolinitic Drilling Mud Clays. Referred proceeding, Paper SPEN 9102, 15th Annual International conferences of
the SPE, Nigerian council, August Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Peters, E.J., Chenevert, M.E. and Zhang, C.(1990): A Model for Predicting the Density of Oil-Based Muds at High
Pressures and Temperatures, SPEDE Trans., AIME,289.
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Methodology, SPE 49056, New Orleans
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in Very Deep Wells, SPE 39282, Bahrain.
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Drilling Technology Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 13-15 November 2006.

SPE 151642

Appendix

Table 1: Laboratory formulation of HPHT Polymer system at different temperature

Test temperature:
(oF)
250
300
350
400
450
CHEMICAL ADDITIVE :
(Kg/m3)
Save scav HS
2
2
2
2
2
Driscal D
10
10
10
10
10
Sepiolite
30
30
30
30
30
Thermatin
6
6
6
6
6
Safe Carb 10
100
100
100
100
100
EMI-1048
2
2
2
2
2
Dristemp
8
8
8
8
8

500
2
10
30
6
100
2
8

Table 2: Laboratory results of HPHT Polymer system at different temperature

250
300
350
400
Temperature: (oF)
2
23
16
34
27
Plastic viscosity(Ibs/100ft )
35
39
24
20
Yield Point (Ibs/100 ft2)
22
41
45
60
Gel strength, (10mins)

450
28
21
62

500
35
21
72

Gel strength , (10sec)

10

30

31

35

40

41

Apparent viscosity(cp)
API fluid loss(ml)
HPHT fluid loss (ml)
Density(sg)

32
6.5
12
1.17

125
7
15
1.14

160
5.8
23
1.21

152
6.1
21
1.26

133
7.4
23
1.22

146
7.1
22
1.31

Table 3: Summary of the actual field concentration and products function

Chemical Additives
Concentration. Kg/m3
Save scav HS
1-2
Bentonite
25-30
Thermatin
3-6
Sepiolite
25-30
Safe Carb 10
60-100
EMI-1048
1.5-2.0
Dristemp
6-8
Driscal D
8-10

Function
H2S Scavenger
Secondary Viscosifier
HPHT Fluid loss control
Extreme HTHP gel
Weighting agent
HPHT thinner
HPHT Viscosifier
HPHT Fluid loss control

Table 4. Summary of the actual HPHT drilling fluids field results

Measurem
MW
MF
YP
FL
pH
PV
ents.
V

%
solid

%
sand

Gel0
(10sec)

Gel0
(10im
)

HPHT
FL.

Result

12-14

0.250.50

3 -15

5-25

5-20

1.121.31

60100

2050

3 -6

8 -10

25-35

SPE 151642

Strati.

Environ.

g
Litho

Depth
MD

Drilling phases
& Casings

TVDSS

Miocene

32 m

635 m
700 m

m
m

Reservoirs
Mud losses

Conducteur pipe 42 beaten at 30 m

Drilling in 26 then enlarged in 36
Casing 30 seat at 190 m

Back reef

Oligocene

Drilling in 26

Reef
Fore reef

1000 m

Casing 20 seat at 1200 m

Inner-mid shelf

Eocene

Drilling in 17 1/2

2000 m
cavings
2150 m

Paleocene

Casing 13 3/8 seat at 2500 m

Outer shelf

3000 m

2775 m

Drilling in 12 1/4

Casing 9 5/8 seat at 3800 m

Lowstand

Upper Cretaceous
4000 m

Drilling in 8 1/2

4500 m

Deltaic

Lower Cretaceous

5000 m

Casing 7 seat at TD in case of discovery (5000 m maxi)

Figure 1:Lithology prognosis of Mafia deep well -1

Figure 2: Plots of the HPHT fluid rheology and temperature at field conditions

SPE 151642

Figure 3: Sensitivity plot of the effects of high pressure and high temperature on apparent viscosity(AV)

Figure 4: Sensitivity plot of the effects of high pressure and high temperature on plastic viscosity(PV)

Figure 5: Sensitivity plot of the effects of high pressure and high temperature on yield point(YP)

Figure 6: Sensitivity plot of the effects of high pressure and high temperature on Gel Strength(GS)