Mud Drilling Analysis 2015

MUD DESIGN BY USING KCL POLYMER TO REDUCE

SWELLING SHALE CONTROL
Afnan Mukhtar Syauqi,Rifki Arbianto,Andi Susetio, Retno Utami, I Dewa Gede Yogi Nanda Kesawa
Benny Ariandi Saputra,
Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Yogyakarta
and composition of clay minerals that make up the
Abstract

shale rock. Then the design of drilling mud used

Design of drilling mud is very important in drilling

must be adapted to the formation to be penetrated.

operations, because it will determine the success of

In this case the mud is water based polymer KCI

such drilling. In this case a layer of shale instability

by adding a clay control additive which acts to

causes the problem is quite difficult to overcome.

inhibit the rate of development of clay. The

Usually the problems that often arise that spread a

function of KCI is the stabilizer of flakes by

layer of shale that due to the hydration of clay, clay

enriching the ion-K+ in the mud system.

for development to occur and result in delays in

Keywords : Clay, Drilling Mud, KCl polymer, Pipe

sets of drill pipe. To overcome or reduce the

Sticking

development of clay, first we must know the type

Therefore, I as the writer chose the title

A. INTRODUCTION
B.

Drilling is a part of the

"Mud Design By Using KCL Polymer to

activities in petroleum industry, especially

Reduce Swelling Shale Control. The

at Petroleum Exploration or development.

purpose of this study is to investigate and

Drilling fluid or mud has an important role

test any type of mud that is suitable for

on drilling and main component that

drilling in shale formations are reactive to

determines the success of a drilling

water so we can reduce and prevented the

operation.

shale problem.

C.

D.

Therefore mud used must be

adapted to the conditions of lithological

rock formations to be penetrated with the
hope that did not experience significant

E.
F. BASIC THEORY
G. Shale

is

formations

when

drilling

containing

penetrate

reactive

actions

to

especially

of

reactive to water, so the shale hydration

process occurs and led to the expanding
of liver clay (swelling clay). Expanding of
clay can cause some problems - problems
such as instability of the borehole wall

the

mechanical

mud

and

the

problems,

or

being drilled. Normally, shale problems

result from one or more of the following

the

montmorillonite type, because its highly

hole

physical characteristics of the formation

drilling. The existence of a sufficiently high

content,

between

formation,

shale.

Instability shale can cause difficulties in

shale

Unstable

conditions can be the result of chemical

problems. One of problem that often

arises,

Stabilizers.

reasons:

Filtrate Invation
Overburden pressure
Tectonic forces
pore pressure
unconsolidated formations

H.

Filtrate invasion can be controlled by

which later can narrow borehole wall and

lowering the mud filtrate. Altering the effect

caused

to

of the mud filtrate on the formation can be

occur.

achieved by using dissolved electrolytes or

formation

pipe

sticking.

damage

In

can

addition
also

an

inhibited

polymers

I.

mud

system;

by

using

Isolation KCl is added to cement slurries

to coat the wellbore, thus

for application in water- sensitive shales

reducing the dispersion of clays; or by

and clays. By preventing clay swelling, it

maintaining the pH range of the mud from

helps improve the cement/formation bond.

8.5-10.
Overburden and pore pressure shale

For these applications, KCl is effective at

temperatures between 50 and 380F (10

problems can be addressed by increasing

and 193C). Typical KCl concentrations

the mud density. The hydrostatic pressure

increase

will

modify

pressure

and

assist

the

are 2 to 5% by weight of water (BWOW).

differential

mechanically

KCl slightly decreases the effectiveness of

to

fluid-loss additives and dispersants, and it

maintain a stable zone. If the hydrostatic

slightly

pressure cannot be increased due to

fracture

gradient

considerations,

the

alternatives are to run casing or attempt to

reducing the water-wetting of these shales

and plugging their fissures and micro
fractures. Reducing the wetting of the

shale fissures and micro fractures has

been accomplished with such products as
gilsonite

and

various

applications only require small concentrations

of KCl.
KCl is compatible with most chemicals used

for fracturing operations.

Zonal Isolation
KCl helps control clay swelling in the presence

of water and helps minimize fines migration.

It helps promote a better bond between the

cement and the formation.

KCL slightly accelerates slurry setting time.

K.

L.

asphalt-based

products. The gilsonite and asphalt also

KCl helps control clay swelling in the presence

which can decrease production levels. Most

shale can be accomplished by lowering

the filtrate or using polymers. Plugging the

M. CASE STUDY

help control water-wetting of the shales.

Formation clays and shales swell

N.

limestone . The first mud designed with

affecting production and zonal isolation.

value Gs 10 seconds = 9 lb / 100ft2 , Gs 10

Potassium chloride (KCl) helps prevent

swelling.

Applications

minutes = 10 lb/ 100ft2, Yp = 31 lb / 100ft 2 ,

Production

Pv = 9.5 cp , and Q = 232 gpm pump .

Enhancement KCl is a temporary clay

stabilizer

in

Problems occurred at depth 170,6 ft, the

freshwater-sensitive

drill pipe cant be moved and rotated , and

formations. When added to water-based

the circulation is not running. So it should

fracturing fluids, it helps prevent clay

swelling

and

migration,

which

make an appropriate design for the mud at

can

a depth of 788 ft accurs a narrowing

drastically reduce formation permeability

and

well

applications,

production.
KCl

is

For
effective

borehole untill a dept of 800 ft.

these
at

temperatures between 50 and 400F (10

On a field "C " wells " D " a

layer structure consisting of sand , shale ,

in the presence of fresh water, adversely

this

slurries.

of water and helps minimize fines migration,

hole.
Shale problems encountered because of
tectonic forces may be controlled by

cement

Benefits Production Enhancement

drill and circulate at high rates to clean the

J.

accelerates

O.
P. PROCEDURE
Q. Measuring the density with Mud

and 204C). Typical KCl concentrations for

Balance

fracturing applications are 2 to 7% by

weight of the base fluid, depending on the

1.

Taking the Mud Balance tool of the box .

clay content of the formation. Zonal

2.

Wash the cup , then wipe with till dry .

3.

Calibration the tool with measure the density of

1.

the water, fill the water into the cup till the cup

stress, stir the mud with Fann VG at speed of

full then closed the cup( if some water is spilled

out wipe with a chamois to get more acurate
measurement ) .
4.

2.

600 RPM for 10 seconds.

Turn off the Fann VG, than still waiting the mud

3.

drilling for 10 seconds.

after 10 seconds, turn on rotor to 3 RPM speed.

4.

Read in dial reading in the max deviation.

Turn on Fann VG at speed 600 RPM during 10

5.

seconds.
Repeat the previous procedure and waiting for

Put the Mud Balance on the box ( knife position

is above the fulcrum ) , then measure the
density of water that the price is already known
( p = 8.33 ppg at 70o, shift the rider to the 8.33

get gel strenght 10 minutes.

ppg ( on the upper scale ) or to the 1 g / cc ( at

the bottom of the scale ) , if the calibration is
succesfuly the air bubbles in the glass level will
be in the middle or touch the middle line , if it is
still not right , re-peck the sand that existed at
the end of the balance arm until the calibration
successfully . After done with water calibration,
discard the water on the cup then cleaned it
again .
5.

Measuring the density of the mud to be tested

by inserting the mud on the cup till the cup full
then closed it ( if some mud is spilled out wipe
with chamois to get more acurate
measurement ) .

6.

Put the Mud Balance on the box and then

measure the density of the mud by shifting the
rider , until the air bubbles in the glass level is in

After complete of the measurement of shear

6.

Make mud base with bentonite

7.

Take 2 ml mud sample basis.

8.

Fill into the erlenmeyer.

9.

Add 10 ml aquadest .

10. Add 10 drops of H2SO4 .

11. Stirr with inserting a magneticrod and put
erlenmeyer above multi magnetizer .
12. Heat with heater mantle for 10 minutes .
13. Let cool slightly .
14. Titrate with methylene blue ( MBT ) per 3ml .
15. Shed on Whatman paper , and noted the
increase methylene blue until it gets gradation
color dark blue in the middle , and light blue on
the outside.
16. CEC calculates by the formula :
T.

CEC =

the middle .
7.

Volume Methylene

Mud Volum

After the density is known, discard the mud ,

then clean the cup then put it back into the box .
R.

Measuring Shear Stress with Fann VG

1.

Fill the vessel with mud up to specified limits .

2.

Placing the vessel in the place , position the

vessel till the rotor and bob dipped into the mud
up to specified limits

3.

U.
V.
W. CALCULATION
X.
Y.

Activate the rotor in high position and put the

Fann VG Mater
Calculation plastic viscosity, Yield Point,

rotational speed of the rotor on 600 RPM .

and Gel Strength (Viskometer) Mud Fluids

continue the rotation till the scale position ( dial )

(350 ml fresh water + 22,5 gr Bentonite) +

get balanced . record the price indicated by the

2,5 gr PAC-L
Z. C600 = 24o ; C300 = 18o
AA. Plastic Viscosity (PV) = (C600 - C300)
AB.= (24 18)
AC.= 6 cp
AD. Yield Point (YP) = (C300 PV)
AE. = ( 18 6 )
AF.
= 12 lb/100 ft2

scale on the dial reading .

4.

, MeQ/100 gram

Recording the price indicated by the scale

pointer after get balanced then contnue for
speeds of 300 , 200 , 100 , 6 and 3 RPM in the
same manner as above
S.

Standart Procedure operation to

measure Gel Strength with Fann VG

AG.

Methylene Blue Test

AH. Methylene blue is used for titration

=3

ml

to release the pipeline as mechanically is

AI. Volume Mud ( Bentonite )

= 2 ml

a.

Bentonite Equivalent
(Jumlah Methylene Blue) x 5 3 x 5
BE

2
2
AJ.
AK.

b.

resulting from swelling . The method used

by activating the jar. when a series of pipes

equipped with a jar . If this method fails,
usually sprayed an organic fluid and then
repeated the jar procedure. If the attempt

= 7,5 ppb
Cation Exchange Capacity

CEC

by moving the pipe with rotating, pulling, or

is not successful, then the pipe must be

removed by means of back off.

100
100

MBT x 0,285 7,5 x 0,285

AL.

AT.

So such problems do not

happen again used a new right design of

mud . Design of new mud use an

AM. =

46,78

meq/100gr

additive KCl is able to inhibit the expansion

AN.
AO.

additional additive KCl. The benefits of

of shale and provides convenience and to

RESULTS

clean the solids with a low solids content,

1.

Density

= 8.65

and

2.

Plastic Viscosity

=6

implementation of drilling penetration thus

3.

Yield Point

= 12 lb / 100ft2

4.

Gel Strength 10 " = 8 lb / 100ft

accelerate

the

pace

of

making the drilling process more efficient .

= 15 lb / 100ft

to

AU. From
2

laboratory

analysis,

the

5.

Gel Strength 10 '

6.

Bentonit Equivalen = 7,5 ppb

ml of fresh water + bentonite + 22.5 grams

7.

CEC

2.5 grams KCl. From this research using a

composition of the mud drilling used 350

= 46,78 meq / 100gr

AP.
AQ.

mud balance obtained density of 8.65 ppg,

the

DISCUSSION
AR.

On a field "C" wells "D" a

layer structure consisting of sand , shale ,

limestone . The first mud designed with
value Gs 10 seconds = 9 lb / 100ft 2 , Gs 10
minutes = 10 lb/ 100ft2, Yp = 31 lb / 100ft 2 ,
Pv = 9.5 cp , and Q = 232 gpm pump .
Problems occurred at depth 170,6 ft, the
drill pipe cant be moved and rotated , and

obtained

from

Fann

VG

plastic

viscosity (pv) to 6 cp, yield point (YP) of 12

lb / 100 ft2, Gel stregth 10 seconds at 8,
and Gel stregth 10 minutes at 15. From
the analysis of Methylene Blue Test (MBT)
obtained Bentonite Equivalent (BE) of 7,5
ppb and Cation Exchange capasity (CEC)
by 46, 78 meq/ 100 g, and the price pH is
8.
AV. From the reseach density values

the circulation is not running. So it should

indicate a good price and standard. Pv

make an appropriate design for the mud at

price

a depth 170 -172 ft and mud at a depth of

standards for the minimum price standard

788 ft accurs a narrowing borehole until a

pv 8, the price is not good to raise the

depth of 800 ft

cutting but can be overcome by increasing

AS.

show

less,

mud

drilling

used

From the situation at depth

the flow rate of mud. Price YP mud was

of 170 - 172 ft, the drill pipe can not be

classified as good YP for not more than

moved and rotated, and the circulation is

three times the price PV. New price PV

not running . It can be seen that problems

and YP mud drilling more small than old

that

Mechanical

privce PV and YP mud. GS prices on the

boreholle

new design of mud drilling has a ratio of

occur

sticking

are

because

because
narrowing

GS 10 seconds and 10 minutes at 1:1.9,

not rotary and move, the circulation not work in

which

depth 788-800 ft. According constriction on the

implies

comparison

that

is

categorized good. Because of close to 1:2.

borehole. The type of pipe sticking is

Where as in the old mud have GS ratio of

1: 1.1, which is categorized flat so the

2.

+ 22,5 bentonite + 2,5 gram KCl. Used KCl

ability to with stand cutting during the

round trip which can lead to cutting small

3.

fall to the bottom of the well. MBT analysis

obtained

values

of

7.5

ppb

4.

efficient.
Data from the reseach.

not more than 20 ppb, the price is

Density

= 8.65

ppg

categorized high viscosity which can lead

Plastic Viscosity

=6

cp

to flocculation. If the price obtained BE

Yield Point

= 12

cp

small, the obtained prices that besardan

Gel Strenght 10

=8

lb/100 ft2

CEC has good mud CEC great price too.

Gel Strenght 10

= 15

lb/100 ft2

PH value obtained is 8, which shows the

CEC

= 46,78 meq/100 gram

ideal pH.
AW. From
design

can

the

analisys,

overcome

pipe

our

mud

sticking

problem at 170-172 ft and 788 800 ft.

From our experiment shows ideal mud,
and the main point is determining CEC .
From the analisys it shows high value of

AZ.
BA.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

BB. In the composition of the mud drilling

should be considered in accordance with needed.
Accuracy of the equipments that must be met in
order to design of mud drilling.

CEC, high value of CEC infict greater

BC.
BD.
REFERENCE

hydration, so mud will absorb greater

1.

Anonim, __, Buku Petunjuk Praktikum Analisa

water, less water will infiltrate formation,

Lumpur

less chance shale will expanding, and risk

Semendan Lumpur jurusan Teknik Perminyakan

of pipe sticking decline. From the others

data such PV, YG. GS, and pH shows

2.

AY.CONCLUSION
Problem in Field C well D is mechanical pipe
sticking. Because in depth 170-172 ft bit can

Analisa

UPN Veteran Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta

Irwan, Mochamad, 2007, Uji Kemampuan Aditif
Swelling Shale, Teknik Perminyakan USAKTI,

drilling problem.

AX.

Pemboran,Laboratororium

Sistem Lumpur KCl Polimer Untuk Mengurangi

ideal value and theres less chance of

1.

because it can tackling swelling shale.

Excess KCl is accelerating the pace of
penetration thus making the drilling more

were

categorized BE ideal. Because the value is

mechanical pipe sticking,

composition of mud drilling is 350 ml fresh water

3.

Jakarta
Adams, Neal J, Drilling Engineering A Complate
Well Planning Approach, Penn Well Publishing
Company, Oklahoma,1985