FILTRATION

FILTRATION - The loss of FILTRATE to a

porus and permeable formation.

z 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

z 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.

z The composition of this cake is

determined by the SOLIDS in the mud.
FILTRATION

TWO TYPES OF FILTRATION

z DYNAMIC FILTRATION- Occurs when the

mud is circulating.

z STATIC FILTRATION- Occurs when the mud

is not circulating.
z API (standard)
z API - HTHP
FLUID LOSS - (Measurement)
API (standard)

z CC’s of FILTRATE collected: (static) @

z 100 psi
z 30 minutes
z ambient temperature
z 7.5 sq... in. #50 Watman paper
FLUID LOSS - (Measurement)
API - HTHP

z CC’s of FILTRATE collected X 2 (static)

z 30 minutes
z 300°F
z 3.75 sq.. in. #50 Watman paper
z 500 psi - Differential Pressure
z 600 psi - TOP
z 100 psi - BOTTOM (back pressure)
Factors Affecting
Filtration

z TIME
z TEMPERATURE
z PRESSURE
z SOLIDS
z TYPE
z Hydration
z Deflocculation and dispersion
z Porosity, Permeability, Sorting.
FLUID LOSS - CALCULATION -
Converts FL in any time to FL / 30
min.

To convert a fluid loss value in (X) minutes to a

30 minute API Value:

30 min
cc' s /( x) min × = cc' s / 30 min
( x) min

Example: 4.8cc’s In7.5 min =(4.8 cc' s ) ×

30 min
= 9.6 cc' s
7.5 min
POROSITY

z The Volumetric Fraction of Formation

Not Occupied by Solids.

z Two types of porosity:

z Absolute - Volume not occupied by solids.
z Effective - Interconnected spaces.
PERMEABILITY

The Ability of a Formation to Transmit Fluid

(Through the Inter-Connecting Pore Spaces.)

z Types of Permeability
z Vertical Fracture Permeability - Limestones,
Chalks, and Some Shales
z Matrix Permeability - Sand or Sandstone
SORTING

z CONTROLS POROSITY &

PERMEABILITY

z Large Pore Spaces Yield Good Porosity

And High Permeability.

z Poor sorting yields smaller pore spaces

and lower permeability.
WELL - SORTED
SANDSTONE

GOOD POROSITY
AND PERMEABILITY
POOR SORTING

MUCH LOWER
POROSITY AND
PERMEABILITY
FILTER CAKE QUALITY

z THIN & IMPERMEABLE CAKE

z SOLIDS - Amount and type
z SIZE
z SHAPE
z DISTRIBUTION
z COMPRESSIBILITY - the ability to deform
under pressure.
FILTER CAKE
FILTER CAKE COMPOSITION

1. ADD 27.0 PPB M-I GEL TO 350 CC’S OF WATER.

27 ppb M-I Gel (2.6 sg) X( 8.334 ppg) X (42 gal / bbl) = 910 ppb
9.1 ppb = 1.0%
27.0 ppb = 3.0% Total Solids

350 cc’s = 1 bbl Equivalent.

(1.0 sg) X( 8.334 ppg) X (42 gal / bbl) = 350 ppb
1 cc liquid = 1 ppb
1 gram dry material = 1ppb
FILTER CAKE COMPOSITION

2. Add 100 grams of Diaseal-M and 100 grams of Barite to 350

cc’s of water.

100 ppb Diaseal-M (2.6 sg) X( 8.334 ppg) X (42 gal / bbl) = 910 ppb
9.1 ppb = 1.0%
100 ppb = 11.0%

100 ppb Barite (4.2 sg) X( 8.334 ppg) X (42 gal / bbl) = 1470 ppb
14.7 ppb = 1.0%
100 ppb = 6.8%

11.0 + 6.8 = 16.8% Total Solids

DIATOMS

z Microscopic One -
Celled Marine Algae
With Hard Glasslike
Cell Walls.

z They Occur in a Variety

of Shapes and Are Non-
Compressible, Which
Makes Them an
Excellent Filtration
Medium
FILTER CAKE COMPOSITION

3. ADD 175 CC’S OF #1 TO 175 CC’S OF #2.

50 ppb Diaseal-M (2.6 sg) X( 8.334 ppg) X (42 gal / bbl) = 910 ppb
9.1 ppb = 1.0%
50 ppb = 5.5%

50 ppb Barite (4.2 sg) X( 8.334 ppg) X (42 gal / bbl) = 1470 ppb
14.7 ppb = 1.0%
50 ppb = 3.4%

13.5 ppb M-I Gel (2.6 sg) X( 8.334 ppg) X (42 gal / bbl) = 910 ppb
9.1 ppb = 1.0%
13.5 ppb = 1.5% Solids

5.5% + 3.4% + 1.5% = 10.4% Solids

Compare FL Value to
Filter Cake Thickness

1. Add 27.0 ppb M-I Gel To 350 cc’s Of Water.

z 27.0 ppb = 3.0% Total Solids

2. Add 100 grams of Diaseal-M and 100 grams of Barite to 350 cc’s of
water.
z 11.0 + 6.8 = 16.8% Total Solids

3. Add 175 cc’s of #1 To 175 cc’s of #2.

z 1.5% + 5.5% + 3.4% = 10.4% Solids
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

z Solids Entering Pore Openings.

z Filtrate Containing Damaging Polymers.
z Filtrate Containing Wetting Agents and /
or Emulsifiers.
z Filtrate Incompatible With Formation
Water.
z Filtrate Dislodging Pore Lining Clays.
z High Overbalance, Surge, Swab Pressure
While Drilling.
SOLIDS HANDLING

z Mechanical

z Chemical
SOLIDS CONTROL -
HOW?
z Solids Generated While Drilling.
z 17.5” hole to 3,000’= 900 bbls
z 12.25” hole from 3,000’ to 10,000’ = 1,030 bbls
z 9.875” hole from 10,000’ to 16,000’ = 570 bbls
z TOTAL = 2,500 bbls of Dirt to Remove!

z Assume drilled solids = 2.6 SG

z THEN:
z (2.6sg) X (8.334ppg) X (42gpb) X (2,500bbls) =
z 2,276,820 Pounds of Dirt! (1,138tons)
CIRCULATING SYSTEM
SOLIDS HANDLING
(CHEMICAL)

z Drilling Fluid Polymers That Will

Encapsulate Drill Solids
z PHPA Type Polymers
z Selective Flocculants

z Hydration Supressants
Choosing Fluid Loss
Control Products

z FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
z Can it be used in presence of CALCIUM?
z Can it be used in high SALT
concentration?
z Can it tolerate the TEMPERATURE
present, or expected?
z Will it need a PRESERVATIVE?
Choosing Fluid Loss
Control Products

z FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
z Will it produce a VISCOSITY RISE?
z Will it SUPPORT WEIGHT MATERIAL
with a minimum of solids?
z Is the COST too high for the particular
operation?
z Is it the MOST EFFICIENT under given
circumstances?
IMPROPER
FILTRATION CONTROL
PROBLEMS:
z FILTRATE
z Washout and ledge formation
z Formation evaluation problems
z Formation damage
z CAKE
z Tight spots
z Stuck pipe
z Pressure surges
z Cementing problems
Proper Filtration Control

Control Fluid Loss Value and Cake Thickness

By:
z Controlling solids
z Amount
z Type
z Using the correct products for the situation
z Temperature
z Ions in solution
z Economics
GOOD FILTER CAKE

Mud flow
Filter cake

Other fine solids

Bentonite

Bridging solids

Filtrate invasion

Sand matrix

Formation fluids
FLOCCULATED
FILTER CAKE

Mud flow
Filter cake

Other fine solids

Bentonite

Bridging solids

Filtrate invasion

Sand matrix

Formation fluids