FILTRATION

FILTRATION - The loss of FILTRATE to a

porus and permeable formation.

– Occurs when the hydrostatic pressure of

the mud exceeds the formation pressure,
and there are adequate solids in the mud
to form a filter cake

FILTRATION
A FILTER CAKE is formed on the face of
the wellbore, and many times forms
inside the formation, depending upon
the characteristics of the formation.

The composition of this cake is

determined by the SOLIDS in the mud.

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 FILTRATION
TWO TYPES OF FILTRATION

– DYNAMIC FILTRATION- Occurs when

the mud is circulating.

– STATIC FILTRATION-
FILTRATION Occurs
Occ rs when
hen the
mud is not circulating.
• API (standard)
• API - HTHP

FLUID LOSS - (Measurement)

API (standard)

CC’s of FILTRATE collected: (static) @

– 100 psi
– 30 minutes
– ambient temperature
– 7.5 sq... in. #50 Watman paper

FLUID LOSS - (Measurement)

API - HTHP

CC’s of FILTRATE collected X 2 (static)

– 30 minutes
– 300°F
– 3.75
3 75 sq
sq.. in
in. #50 Watman paper
– 500 psi - Differential Pressure
• 600 psi - TOP
• 100 psi - BOTTOM (back pressure)

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 Factors Affecting Filtration
TIME
TEMPERATURE
PRESSURE
SOLIDS
– TYPE
– Hydration
– Deflocculation and dispersion (FCL???)
Porosity, Permeability, Sorting.

POROSITY

The Volumetric Fraction of Formation Not

Occupied by Solids.

– Two types of porosity:

• Absolute - Volume not occupied by solids.
• Effective - Interconnected spaces.

PERMEABILITY
The Ability of a Formation to Transmit
Fluid (Through the Inter-Connecting
Pore Spaces.)

Types of Permeability
– Vertical Fracture Permeability
(Basement)- Limestones, Chalks, and
Some Shales
– Matrix Permeability - Sand or Sandstone

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 SORTING

CONTROLS POROSITY &

ERMEABILITY

Large Pore Spaces Yield Good Porosity

And High Permeability.

Poor sorting yields smaller pore spaces

and lower permeability.

WELL - SORTED SANDSTONE

GOOD POROSITY
AND PERMEABILITY

POOR SORTING

MUCH LOWER
POROSITY AND
PERMEABILITY

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 FILTER CAKE QUALITY

THIN & IMPERMEABLE CAKE

– SOLIDS - Amount and type
• SIZE
• SHAPE
• DISTRIBUTION
• COMPRESSIBILITY - the ability to deform
under pressure (MDT).

FILTER CAKE
16.8% 10.4% 3.0%
Solids Solids Solids

API FL = 560 cc’s 44 cc’s 15.6 cc’s

125.0 cc’s 22.0 cc’s 9.0 cc’s

1.5 min 7.5 min 10.0 min

DRILLING FLUID DAMAGE

Solids Entering Pore Openings.
Filtrate Containing Damaging Polymers.
Filtrate Containing Wetting Agents and /
or Emulsifiers.
Filt t Incompatible
Filtrate I tibl With Formation
F ti
Water.
Filtrate Dislodging Pore Lining Clays.
High Overbalance, Surge, Swab Pressure
While Drilling.

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 SOLIDS HANDLING

Mechanical

Chemical

SOLIDS CONTROL - HOW?

Solids Generated While Drilling.
– 17.5” hole to 3,000’= 900 bbls
– 12.25” hole from 3,000’ to 10,000’ = 1,030 bbls
– 9.875” hole from 10,000’ to 16,000’ = 570 bbls
– TOTAL = 2,500 bbls of Dirt to Remove!

– Assume drilled solids = 2.6 SG

– THEN:
– (2.6sg) X (8.334ppg) X (42gpb) X (2,500bbls) =
– 2,276,820 Pounds of Dirt! (1,138tons)

SOLIDS HANDLING (CHEMICAL)

Drilling Fluid Polymers That Will
Encapsulate Drill Solids
– PHPA Type Polymers
– Selective Flocculants

Hydration Supressants

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 Choosing Fluid Loss Control
Products

FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
– Can it be used in presence of CALCIUM?
– Can it be used in high SALT
concentration?
– Can it tolerate the TEMPERATURE
present, or expected?
– Will it need a PRESERVATIVE?

Choosing Fluid Loss Control

Products
FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
– Will it produce a VISCOSITY RISE?
– Will it SUPPORT WEIGHT MATERIAL with
a minimum of solids?
– Is the COST too highg for the p
particular
operation?
– Is it the MOST EFFICIENT under given
circumstances?

IMPROPER FILTRATION
CONTROL
PROBLEMS:
FILTRATE
– Washout and ledge formation
– Formation evaluation problems
– Formation damage
g
CAKE
– Tight spots
– Stuck pipe
– Pressure surges
– Cementing problems

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 Proper Filtration Control
Control Fluid Loss Value and Cake Thickness By:

– Controlling solids
• Amount
• Type
T
– Using the correct products for the
situation
• Temperature
• Ions in solution
• Economics

GOOD FILTER CAKE

Mud flow
Filter cake Other fine solids Bentonite Bridging solids

Formation fluids Filtrate invasion

FLOCCULATED FILTER CAKE

Mud flow
Filter cake Other fine solids Bentonite Bridging solids

Filtrate invasion Formation fluids

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Questions?