Drilling Fluid Drilling Fluid Drilling Fluid Drilling Fluid Contaminants Contaminants

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Drilling Fluid

Contaminants
Contamination and Treatment

1. Introduction

A contaminant is defined as any undesirable


component that causes a detrimental effect
when incorporated in a drilling fluid.

Any substance that is both undesirable and


detrimental may be classified as a contaminant.

The major source of the contamination is the


exposed formation;
f i.e. drilled solids, gas or
water.

The secondary source of contamination is


material added on the surface, cement slurries
and spacer, accidental additions of water or
base oil, and overtreatment with fluid products.
Contamination and Treatment

2.
2 Indications

The primary indication of contamination is a


general instability of the drilling Fluid properties.

This instability may manifest itself as a difficulty


in controlling:

 Fluid
Fl id loss
 Alkalinity
 Rheology
 MBT

Contamination can be both specific and general.

Contaminants can have a "masking“ effect on


each
h other.
th
Contamination and Treatment

g
3. Contaminants encountered while drilling

The drilling fluid becomes contaminated With

g commences.
drilled solids as drilling

Not all solids affect the drilling fluids system to


the same degree or in the same way.

Solids derived from shales represent the highest


potential for causing problems.
Contamination and Treatment

3.1. Drilled solids

 Active solids - clay fraction of shales

 Inactive solids - Sands, limestone, etc..

 Evaporite Salts:

 Sodium Chloride, NaCl

Potassium Chloride,
Chloride KCl

Calcium Chloride, CaCl2

Magnesium Chloride, MgCl2

 Anhydrites, CaSO4
Contamination and Treatment

3.2.
3 2 Water flows

Mixed Salt at various concentrations

3 3 Acid Gases
3.3.

Carbon dioxide, CO2


Hydrogen sulfide, H2S

3.4. Hydrocarbons

g or heavy
Light y oils
Coal

3.5. Thermal degradation of mud products


Contamination and Treatment

4.
4 Contaminants Introduced at the Surface
(Accidental and intentional):

Cement,, Ca (OH)
( )2

Seawater (Mixed salts)

Completion or work over fluids

Spotting fluid (generally a type of oil)

Carbonate de Sodium
Sodium, Na2 CO3

Bicarbonate de Sodium, NaHCO3

Bacteria
Contamination and Treatment

5. Cementing
g Job Contaminant

Cement contamination of a drilling fluid can


occur during primary or squeeze cementing
operations.

It can also be caused by a failure in the


cementing equipment,
equipment or as the result of a poor
cement job that has to be drilled out.

Wet or green cement will have a greater


contaminating affect than hard or set cement.

The only
y situation under which cement is
not a contaminant is when clear water, brines,
calcium base muds and oil base are used.
Contamination and Treatment

6.
6 Chemically
Ch i ll Treatable
T t bl Contaminants
C t i t

Chemical additions to overcome the effects of

drilled solids and to prevent the drilled solids

from becoming a problem.

Calcium, Ca++

Magnesium, Mg++

Chl id Cl-
Chloride,

Soluble carbonates, CO3 --

Soluble Bicarbonates, HCO3-

Hydrogen sulfide, H2S

Carbon Dioxide, CO2

Bacteria
Contaminant
Identification
Contamination and Treatment

1. Solids Contamination (clay or shale)

Dispersed shales are serious contaminants to


Drilling fluids because they contain clays.
Clays are usually present in drilling fluids,
fluids whether
added intentionally to condition the mud or
incorporated into the mud as drilled solids.
Identification
 Solids increase
 MBT increase
 Alkalinity decrease
 High plastic viscosity
 High gel strengths
 Thick filter cake and Slight decrease in fluid loss

Control
Setting
Dilution (Dump and dilute method)
Mechanical Separation (Screening and applied g-
force settling)
Chemical treatment (Chemical Deflocculation).
Contamination and Treatment

Mud Properties
Sample From  FL  Pit  FL  Pit
Time Sample Taken 06:00 09:45
Flowline Temperature      °F     °C 120 125  
Depth  Ft  m 8 88
8788 8
8999     
Weight     lb/gal     lb/cu. Ft.     Sp.G.  14.1 14.4  
Funnel Viscosity     sec/qt     sec/L 49 55  
Plastic Viscosity  (cP) 37 58  
Yield Point      lb/100 ft2     Pa 13               24  
Gel Strength (10 sec/10 min)    lb/100 ft2    Pa 4/ 7          5/ 16  
Filtrate  API  (cm3/30 min) 4.6             7.2  
API HPHT Filtrate (cm3/30 min.) @ 250 
/30 min ) @ 250 °F    
F     15             22  
Cake Thickness      32nd in.    mm 2 4  
Solids Content (% by vol) 16 22 
Liquid Content (% by vol) 0/84 0/78 
Sand Content (% by vol) Tr Tr
MBT      lb/bbl equiv     cm3/cm3 mud 3.5               5  
pH      strip    meter 10.0            9.5  
Alkalinity Mud 
a y ud ((Pm))    cm3 N50 H
5 O4//cm3
2SO 1.7             1.1  
7
Alkalinity Filtrate (Pf/Mf ) cm3 N50 H2SO4/cm3 1.0/2.4      0.8/1.9  
Chloride  (mg/l) 2,900        2,900  
Total Hardness as Calcium  (mg/l) 200           200  
Contamination and Treatment

Recommended Treatment

 Raise pH

 Disperse with thinners such as Phosphates or


lignosulfonate at elevated temperatures.

 Dilute with fresh water when the solids


content reaches a level where further
additions of dispersants will increase the
viscosity.

 Maximize use of solids control equipment


q p

 Add dissolved lignite/polymer for filtration


control (HP-HT)

 Add
dd b
barite ffor desired
d d weight
h
Contamination and Treatment

2. Bicarbonate Contamination

Identification

No calcium

Low Pf

High Mf

Filtrate increase

Gel strength increase

This problem is usually caused by:

Over- treatment with NaHCO3 for cement


contamination

gradual influx of carbon dioxide gas


Contamination and Treatment

Mud Properties
Sample From  FL  Pit  FL  Pit
Time Sample Taken 06:00 09:50
Flowline Temperature      °F     °C 135 135  
Depth  Ft  m 16,300
6 16,340  
6   
Weight     lb/gal     lb/cu. Ft.     Sp.G.  15.0 15.0  
Funnel Viscosity     sec/qt     sec/L 47 86  
Plastic Viscosity  (cP) 33 56  
Yield Point      lb/100 ft2     Pa 13 37  
Gel Strength (10 sec/10 min)    lb/100 ft2    Pa 3/10         21/49  
Filtrate  API  (cm3/30 min) 8           16.8  
API HPHT Filtrate (cm3/30 min.) @ 250 
/30 min ) @ 250 °F    
F     17 5
17.5 28  
Cake Thickness      32nd in.    mm 4 4  
Solids Content (% by vol) 22 26 
Liquid Content (% by vol) 0/78 0/74 
Sand Content (% by vol) Tr Tr
MBT      lb/bbl equiv     cm3/cm3 mud 20 20 
pH      strip    meter 10.5       8.8  
Alkalinity Mud 
a y ud ((Pm))    cm3 N50 H
5 O4//cm3
2SO 1.6             0.70  
Alkalinity Filtrate (Pf/Mf ) cm3 N50 H2SO4/cm3 1.2/3.1    1.1/17.4  
Chloride  (mg/l) 3,400        3,600  
Total Hardness as Calcium  (mg/l) 200              0   
Contamination and Treatment

Recommended Treatment

 Increase pH with lime Ca(OH)2, pH 9.5 to 10.0.


May be necessary to supplement lime with
caustic soda (NaOH).

 Maintain 150 to 200 mg/l of (Ca++) in the


filtrate to buffer the problem so that it does not
reoccur.

This is usually easy to obtain with lime


treatments

 Add thinners for chemical dispersing of clays


and rheology control.

 Add water for dehydration effects.


Contamination and Treatment

3.
3 Carbonate Contamination

High concentrations of total carbonates (>1000


mg/l) will have a detrimental effect on
freshwater-bentonite drilling fluids.
This problem is usually induced by :

Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air is


incorporated into the mud through mud mixers
and solids-removal equipment discharges.

Over-treatment with soda ash or bicarbonate of


soda when treating cement or gyp contamination.

 thermal degradation of organic additives such


as lignite
g and lignosulfonate
g at temperatures
p
in excess of 325°F.

CO2 gas zone continues to leak gas into then


fluid.

Another minor source of carbonates is bacterial


action on organic additives.
Contamination and Treatment

Identification

 High yield point and progressive gel strengths


 Increasing Pf with constant PH
 Disparity between the Pf / Mf alkalinity
 High filtrate
 High Pf
 No calcium (most of the time)
 Solids (retort) are normal
 Pm alkalinity is lower than the Mf
 No change in Pv

Control
Avoid over treatment by controlling the total
hardness as calcium of the filtrate between 150
to 200 mg/l.

Do not pre-treat system with large amounts of


soda ash.
Contamination and Treatment

Add caustic soda ((NaOH)) when a CO2 g


gas zone
continues to leak gas into the fluid.

Lime and gyp can be added together to


achieve the proper pH, and to precipitate CaCO3
from the system.
system

Methods of Determining Carbonates

 Pf / Mf Method

Amount of 0.02 H2SO4 required to reduce the


pH of a drilling fluid filtrate sample from an
exsisting pH to an 8.3 pH and a 4.3 pH

 pH / Pf Method

Amount of 0.02N H2SO4 required to reduce the


pH of a drilling
p g fluid filtrate sample
p from an
existing pH to an 8.3 pH

 Garrett Gas Train


Contamination and Treatment

Mud Properties
Sample From  FL  Pit  FL  Pit
Time Sample Taken 08:00 17:35
Flowline Temperature      °F     °C 120 125  
Depth  Ft  m 10,520 10,645  
6   
Weight     lb/gal     lb/cu. Ft.     Sp.G.  15.0 15.0  
Funnel Viscosity     sec/qt     sec/L 36 56  
Plastic Viscosity  (cP) 32 47  
Yield Point      lb/100 ft2     Pa 11              29  
Gel Strength (10 sec/10 min)    lb/100 ft2    Pa 2/ 6        14/ 35  
Filtrate  API  (cm3/30 min) 5.0           17.4  
API HPHT Filtrate (cm3/30 min.) @ 250 
/30 min ) @ 250 °F    
F     12 40  
Cake Thickness      32nd in.    mm 2 6  
Solids Content (% by vol) 17 17 
Liquid Content (% by vol) 0/83 0/83 
Sand Content (% by vol) Tr Tr
MBT      lb/bbl equiv     cm3/cm3 mud 17              17  
pH      strip    meter 9.5          12.8  
Alkalinity Mud 
a y ud ((Pm))    cm3 N50 H
5 O4//cm3
2SO 1.6            8.5  
Alkalinity Filtrate (Pf/Mf ) cm3 N50 H2SO4/cm3 1.4/2.8     15.4/30 
Chloride  (mg/l) 3,900        4,200  
Total Hardness as Calcium  (mg/l) 300               0  
Contamination and Treatment

When acid gas continues to contaminate the


fluid, the normal reaction is to add caustic
(NaOH), thus forming CO32- and HCO3- depending
on pH.
p

The addition of deflocculants may be required


to improve flow properties once the carbonate
ions have been neutralized.

A rule of thumb is: if the Mf is greater than 5,


and greater than 4 times the Pf, then carbonates
may be present.

A Garrett Gas Train should be used to verify the


presence of carbonates.
carbonates
Contamination and Treatment

Recommended Treatment

pH is less than 10.3, lime (Ca(OH)2) should be


used to increase the p
pH because it is both a
source of hydroxyl ions and a source of calcium
to precipitate the carbonates.

pH is between 10.3 and 11.3, both lime and


gyp should be used together to provide a source
of calcium without changing
g g the p
pH.

pH of the mud is above 11.3 where calcium is


not very soluble,
soluble gyps (CaSO4) should be used as
a source of calcium and to reduce pH.

 Only CO3 ion can be treated with free Calcium

 At a pH of 11.7, the bicarobonate ions are


changed to carbonate ions.
Contamination and Treatment

Recommended Treatment
Treatment with Lime

Treatment with Gypsum

If pH is dropped to below 10,10 the carbonates


are converted to bicarbonates. Very high
viscosity and gel strengths can be the results

Effect of bicarbonate and carbonate


concentration on YP:
Contamination and Treatment

4. Salt Contamination

The three naturally occurring types of rocks salt


encountered in drilling in drilling operation are:

 Halite(NaCl)

 Sylvite (KCl)

 Carnallite (K MgCl3 • 6H2O)

Two other common salts are:

 Magnesium chloride (MgCl2)

 Calcium Chloride (CaCl2).

These two salts do not occur naturally in the


crystalline form du to their extreme solubility.
Contamination and Treatment

Identification

 API and HT-HP filtrate loss increase

 Drop in pH

 Drop in alkalinity (Pf/Mf)

 Chloride ion increase

 Increased soluble calcium.

 Funnel viscosity increase

 Gel Strength
g increase

 Fluctuation in density - if a salt water flow is


encountered

 "Grainy"
" " appearance to mud.
d
Contamination and Treatment

Control

 Saturation of the fluid may be necessary to

prevent large solution cavities or displace with

an oil or synthetic-base system to prevent

wellbore enlargement if a large salt section is

to be drilled.

Remember that as the temperature of a salt


solution increases, the solubility of the salt in
that solution increases. So a saturated system at
surface temperature is capable of holding more
salt in solution at elevated temperatures.
Contamination and Treatment

Mud Properties
Sample From  FL  Pit  FL  Pit
Time Sample Taken 06:00 08:00
Flowline Temperature      °F     °C 120 126  
Depth  Ft  m 10,600       10,750
6        
Weight     lb/gal     lb/cu. Ft.     Sp.G.  14.6 14.9  
Funnel Viscosity     sec/qt     sec/L 44 67  
Plastic Viscosity  (cP) 39 52  
Yield Point      lb/100 ft2     Pa 14              35  
Gel Strength (10 sec/10 min)    lb/100 ft2    Pa 2/4         10/33  
Filtrate  API  (cm3/30 min) 6.0           17.4  
API HPHT Filtrate (cm3/30 min.) @ 250 
/30 min ) @ 250 °F    
F     14 40  
Cake Thickness      32nd in.    mm 2 6  
Solids Content (% by vol) 20 26 
Liquid Content (% by vol) 0/80 0/74 
Sand Content (% by vol) Tr Tr
MBT      lb/bbl equiv     cm3/cm3 mud 19               19 
pH      strip    meter 10.0            9.0  
Alkalinity Mud 
a y ud ((Pm))    cm3 N50 H
5 O4//cm3
2SO 1.8            1.1  
Alkalinity Filtrate (Pf/Mf ) cm3 N50 H2SO4/cm3 1.2/2.4 0.92/1.8  
Chloride  (mg/l) 2,100     28,600  
Total Hardness as Calcium  (mg/l) 100           400  
Contamination and Treatment

Recommended Treatment

 Treat with thinners (lignosulfonates) to reduce

viscosity, gel strength, and yield point.

 Adjust pH with caustic soda.

 Add polymers for filtrate loss.

 If the existing salt contamination level cannot

be tolerated or if continued contamination is

expected, such as drilling massive salt

sections, the fluid should converted to a

saturated salt system or use an oil-based mud.

 If the clay solids content of the fluid is too

high, water dilution may also be necessary.


Contamination and Treatment

5. Cement Contaminant

Identification

 API and HT-HP filtrate loss increase

Hi h Pm/Pf
High P /Pf

High viscosity, high gel strengths

 Funnel viscosity increase

 Dramatic increase in pH

 Calcium ion increases.

Control

 Most fluids require a 9.5-10.5 pH.

 Very little hard cement will react with the

bicarbonate of soda and can lead to gelation

problems with over treatment.

 If contamination is severe,
severe a lime system

should be considered.
 Use solids-removal equipment
Contamination and Treatment

Mud Properties
Sample From  FL  Pit  FL  Pit
Time Sample Taken 06:00 09:30
Flowline Temperature      °F     °C 125 125  
Depth  Ft  m 11,675
11 675 11 750  
11,750  
Weight     lb/gal     lb/cu. Ft.     Sp.G.  10.5 10.5  
Funnel Viscosity     sec/qt     sec/L 37 52  
Plastic Viscosity  (cP) 26 33  
Yield Point      lb/100 ft2     Pa 10              29  
Gel Strength (10 sec/10 min)    lb/100 ft2    Pa 3/6         10/25  
Filtrate  API  (cm3/30 min) 5.8           14.6  
API HPHT Filtrate (cm3/30 min.) @ 250 
/30 min ) @ 250 °F    
F     14 30  
Cake Thickness      32nd in.    mm 1 3  
Solids Content (% by vol) 6 6  
Liquid Content (% by vol) 0/94 0/94 
Sand Content (% by vol) Tr Tr
MBT      lb/bbl equiv     cm3/cm3 mud 20               20  
pH      strip    meter 10.0          11.9  
Alkalinity Mud 
a y ud ((Pm))    cm3 N50 H
5 O4//cm3
2SO 1.1            6.6  
Alkalinity Filtrate (Pf/Mf ) cm3 N50 H2SO4/cm3 0.85/1.5      5.4/7.0
Chloride  (mg/l) 2,100        2,100  
Total Hardness as Calcium  (mg/l) 80             400  
Contamination and Treatment

Recommended Treatment

 Add bicarbonate of soda (NaHCO3) to


precipitate calcium and reduce the pH.
C (O )2 + NaHCO
Ca(OH) CO3  CaCO
C CO3  + NaOH
O + H2O

 Control total hardness as calcium of the


filtrate between 150 - 200 mg/l to avoid over
treatment

 SAPP is a very powerful phosphate thinner having


a pH of approximately 4.0.

It will have a threefold effect combating cement


contamination by
b dispersing
d (h
(thinning)
) the
h mud,
d
lowering the pH, and sequestering (removing) the
Calcium at the same time.
Contamination and Treatment

y
 Add water for dehydration and barite to
maintain weight

 Treating with Citric Acid (H3C6H5O7) as this


precipitates cement as Calcium
C l C
Citrate and
d reduces
d
pH.

When using a polymer system,


system polymers will be
hydrolyzed by high pH, so reduce pH and precipitate
Calcium immediately.
Contamination and Treatment

y
6. Anhydrite Contamination
Anhydrite and gypsum are both calcium sulfate
and nearly identical in chemical composition.

Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O), with its attached water,


is more soluble than anhydrite (CaSO4).

Identification

 No change in density
 API and
d HT-HP
HT HP filtrate
fil l
loss i
increase
 Decrease in pH
 Decrease in Pf/Mf
 No change to slight increase in Pv
 Increase in calcium ion
 High yield point and gel strengths
 Funnel viscosity increase
 Sulfate ion increase
 Small white cuttings over shale shaker.
Contamination and Treatment

Control

A common method of drilling anhydrite


formations is to adjust the pH to 9.5 and add
thinners.
thinners

 Solubility of CaSO4 is controlled by pH:

 Increased pH and temperature decreases the


solubility of gyps

 Increased chlorides increase the solubility of


gyps

 It is also necessary to maintain a low MBT.


Contamination and Treatment

 Prior to penetrating the anhydrite,


anhydrite the pH
should be increased to approximately 10.0-10.5
with Caustic Soda.

The higher the pH, the less soluble Calcium


becomes.

If the anhydrite contamination is severe and


the section to be drilled is quite thick, the mud
system may be allowed to “GYP” over and
dispersed to control any flocculation.
Contamination and Treatment

Mud Properties
Sample From  FL  Pit  FL  Pit
Time Sample Taken 06:00 13:15
Flowline Temperature      °F     °C 130 130  
Depth  Ft  m
11,700 11,850  
Weight     lb/gal     lb/cu. Ft.     Sp.G.  13.1 13.2  
Funnel Viscosity     sec/qt     sec/L 41 61  
Plastic Viscosity  (cP) 332 39  
39
Yield Point      lb/100 ft2     Pa 12             31  
Gel Strength (10 sec/10 min)    lb/100 ft2    Pa 3/11         15/32  
Filtrate  API  (cm3/30 min) 6.0           18.7  
API HPHT Filtrate (cm3/30 min.) @ 250 
/30 min ) @ 250 °F    
F     14  
   45  
Cake Thickness      32nd in.    mm 1 3  
Solids Content (% by vol) 17 17  
Liquid Content (% by vol) 0/75 0/75 
Sand Content (% by vol) Tr Tr
MBT      lb/bbl equiv     cm3/cm3 mud 18.5             18.5  
pH      strip    meter 10.9           8.5  
Alkalinity Mud (Pm)    cm3 N50 H2SO4/cm3 1 6            0 75  
1.6            0.75  
Alkalinity Filtrate (Pf/Mf ) cm3 N50 H2SO4/cm3 1.4/2.6       0.2/1.1 
Chloride  (mg/l) 3,900        4,100  
Total Hardness as Calcium  (mg/l) 85           325  
Contamination and Treatment

Recommended Treatment

 May be controlled by adding soda ash Na2CO3 if the


pH is below 9.5, the bicarbonate ion converts to
carbonate then reacts with the filtrate calcium to
precipitate CaCO3

 Should the pH be above 9.5, use bicarbonate

of soda.

 The pH must be maintained in the range of

9 5 to 10.5
9.5 10 5 with caustic soda NaOH or

caustic potash KOH.

 If converting to a Calcium based system, this

pH range limits the solubility of gyp and

enhances the performance of the lignosulfonate.


Contamination and Treatment

After adding soda ash,


ash a chemical dispersant,
dispersant
lignosulfonates is usually added to help reduce
viscosity and gel strength.

Lignosulfonate and lignite are effective in the


presence of calcium.

Phosphates have the ability to complex filtrate


calcium.

If the contamination is not severe, usually the


treatment involves adding Soda Ash Na2CO3 to
precipitate the Calcium ion as Calcium Carbonate.

CaSO4 + Na2CO3  CaCO3  + Na2SO4

 If large amounts are encountered, the mud


system should be converted to a calcium base
system.
Contamination and Treatment

7. Hi Temp
p Contamination

Most polymeric products commonly used in


water based drilling fluids rapidly degrade at
temperatures over 300°F.

Temperature effects on invert emulsion drilling


fluids will vary depending on the base fluid
used, the stability of the emulsifiers, and the
viscosifier used.

Ester based fluids for example will


undergo thermal degradation, particularly in
the presence
p of lime,, at temperatures
p
exceeding 160°C.
Contamination and Treatment

Identification

 Flow line temperature increase

 API and HT-HP filtration increase

 Solids increases

 pH decreases

 Alkalinity decreases

Control

 Massive treatments with lignite ties-up


calcium and gelation may occur if there is not
enough free calcium in the fluid water.

 Do not over treat with polymer deflocculants.


Much lower concentrations are required than
for lignite/lignosulfonate treatment.
Contamination and Treatment

Mud Properties
Sample From  FL  Pit  FL  Pit
Time Sample Taken 05:00 22:00
Flowline Temperature      °F     °C 125 220  
Depth  Ft  m 12,500 12,700     
Weight     lb/gal     lb/cu. Ft.     Sp.G.  13.1 13.6  
Funnel Viscosity     sec/qt     sec/L 40 65  
Plastic Viscosity  (cP) 27 39  
Yield Point      lb/100 ft2     Pa 11              31  
Gel Strength (10 sec/10 min)    lb/100 ft2    Pa 3/7         21/56  
Filtrate  API  (cm3/30 min) 4.6           10.9  
API HPHT Filtrate (cm3/30 min.) @ 250 
/30 min ) @ 250 °F    
F     10.0 30.0  
Cake Thickness      32nd in.    mm 2 6  
Solids Content (% by vol) 16 16 
Liquid Content (% by vol) 0/84 0/84 
Sand Content (% by vol) Tr Tr
MBT      lb/bbl equiv     cm3/cm3 mud 17               17  
pH      strip    meter 10.5           9.0  
Alkalinity Mud 
a y ud ((Pm))    cm3 N50 H
5 O4//cm3
2SO 1.8           1.0  
Alkalinity Filtrate (Pf/Mf ) cm3 N50 H2SO4/cm3 1.4/1.6      1.2/1.4  
Chloride  (mg/l) 3,000        3,300  
Total Hardness as Calcium  (mg/l) 100           100  
Contamination and Treatment

Recommended Treatment

Add surfactants.

/
Add water/caustic for dehydration.
y

Reduce bentonite content.


Contamination and Treatment

8. H2S Contaminant

Symptoms
 H2S gas in filtrate or mud
 API and HT-HP filtration increase
 pH decrease
 Alkalinity decreases
 Discoloration of mud, turns dark colour due to
formation of FeS from baryte
Formation of a black FeS scale on steel drill
pipe.
i
 Rotten egg odor.
Control
The only permanent solution to controlling H2S
gas is to increase the mud density. That is, H2S
gas will react with the Hydroxyl ions to dissociate
into Bisulfide (HS-) or Sulfide (S-) ions, which are
not detrimental to rig personnel or metal goods.
A high pH of 10.5-11.0 should be maintained at
all times while drilling through any potential H2S
bearing zone.
Contamination and Treatment

Mud Properties
Sample From  FL  Pit  FL  Pit
Time Sample Taken 06:00 09:45
Flowline Temperature      °F     °C 120 125  
Depth  Ft  m 8788
8 88 8
8999     
Weight     lb/gal     lb/cu. Ft.     Sp.G.  15.0 15.0  
Funnel Viscosity     sec/qt     sec/L 47 64  
Plastic Viscosity  (cP) 33 47  
Yield Point      lb/100 ft2     Pa 8              17  
Gel Strength (10 sec/10 min)    lb/100 ft2    Pa 4/11        17/22  
Filtrate  API  (cm3/30 min) 6.0           16.8  
API HPHT Filtrate (cm3/30 min.) @ 250 
/30 min ) @ 250 °F    
F     14 24  
Cake Thickness      32nd in.    mm 2 4  
Solids Content (% by vol) 25 25 
Liquid Content (% by vol) 0/75 0/75 
Sand Content (% by vol) Tr             Tr  
MBT      lb/bbl equiv     cm3/cm3 mud 4               4  
pH      strip    meter 10.5          8.5  
Alkalinity Mud 
a y ud ((Pm))    cm3 N50 H
5 O4//cm3
2SO 1.6            0.5  
Alkalinity Filtrate (Pf/Mf ) cm3 N50 H2SO4/cm3 1.2/3.1     0.1/0.3  
Chloride  (mg/l) 4,000        4,000  
Total Hardness as Calcium  (mg/l) 200               0  
Contamination and Treatment

Recommended Treatment

 Raise the PH to at least 11,5 to 12 with caustic


soda.

H2S + OH- HS- + H2O

HS- + OH- S2- + H2O

Add starch or polymers to reduce fluid loss.


loss

 Add Zinc Oxyde or Ironite Sponge.

S-- + Zn++ ZnS

Fe3O4 + 3 H2S 3 FeS + 4 H2O + 2 H+


Contamination and Treatment

Other
Contaminants
Contamination and Treatment

1. Bacteria

 Aerobic bacteria
 Anaerobic bacteria

The main problems are:

 Degradation of organic polymers (viscosifiers


and fluid loss additives), reducing viscosity and
increasing fluid loss.

 Degradation of polymers and resins under


anaerobic conditions, producing sulfides or H2S.

The result of the degradation process is:

 Reduce the pH .
 Increases in corrosion rate.

Prevention

 Maintain a relatively high pH over storage

 Use bacterial resistant polymers

 Maintenance of salinity

 Addition of bactericide.
Contamination and Treatment

Bacterial Contamination

identification

 H2S gas in filtrate or mud

 API and HT-HP filtration increase

 pH decrease

 Alkalinity decreases

 Small decrease in calcium

Control

 Bacterial activity will be reduced by


maintaining a small amount of toxin in the fluid.

Since the bacteria use starch as a food source , it


is necessary to replace the destroyed polymers.

 Maintaining a small concentration of biocide to


inhibit future bacterial expansion.
Contamination and Treatment

2.
2 Salt Water Flow
Water-Flow and Gaz Kick
-Kick
Contamination

There are liquid


q or g
gaseous fluids,, p
present in the
well formation, which can be released into the
wellbore.

Theses fluids may cause adverse drilling fluids


contamination’s which require treatment and can
also be a hazard to the safety of drilling
operation.

This integrity of such formation is maintained by


h
having sufficient
ff d ll
drilling fl d density.
fluid d
Contamination and Treatment

Identification

 Increase in mud pit level.


 Increase in rate of returns from wellbore.

Treatment

 Shut pump down.


Close in the well with BOP.
 Increase the mud weight to the required
density while circulating the kick out.
 Iff it is a gas kick, remove the gas from
f the
system by the use of surface circulating
equipment and de-gassers.
 If it is a saltwater flow,
flow dump salt-water
salt water at the
surface, then condition the fluid with
additional deflocculants and caustic soda.
Contamination and Treatment

Magnesium
g Contamination

Magnesium is encountered when seawater is used


as makeup water. It has also been encountered as
magnesium water flows.

Identification

Magnesium has similar effects as calcium on mud


properties such as increased flow properties and
fluid loss.

Treatment
Can be precipitated with caustic soda as insoluble
magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2.
Most of the magnesium ion will be precipitated
when p
pH is increased to 10.0.
Additional filtrate control agents, deflocculants
will be required to restore drilling fluid properties.
In the case of massive magnesium contamination,
it is impractical to treat it out; therefore, options
are: (1) to attempt to maintain a low pH system
with Mg++ ion present, or switch to an oil mud.

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