Water-based Drilling Fluid Systems

Highly Inhibitive Water-based Mud System Results in Zero Liquid Mud Haul Off and Saves Operator Approximately $750,000
Location: Barnett Shale OPERATORS CHALLENGE
A major operator in the Barnett Shale was looking to drill extremely challenging wells while controlling costs. One major area targeted for cost reduction was ancillary costs associated with drilling fluid transportation and disposal. The operators goal was to decrease liquid mud haul off to zero. To achieve this goal, the operator had tried waterbased systems in the past; however, the systems had resulted in issues with torque and drag, high levels of dilution, elevated friction factors and low gravity solids (LGS). The superior inhibition was critical in this particular instance as it resulted in increased wellbore stability, reduced torque and drag, reduced dilution, reduced low gravity solids (LGS) and reduced friction factors results that other water-based mud systems have been unable to provide in the challenging shale gas environments. Not only did the provision of these benefits result in increased drilling efficiencies, but they were also critical to ensure the customer could achieve their objective of zero liquid mud haul off. An additional benefit resulting from the use of the SHALEDRIL system was the fact that the operator was able to recycle 100% of the drilling fluid for use on subsequent wells.

HALLIBURTONS SOLUTION
The success of Baroids newly released SHALEDRIL water-based mud, a system providing superior inhibition when compared with other water-based drilling systems, in the Fayetteville prompted the operator to try the system in the Barnett. To further enhance the inhibition provided from the base system, Baroid personnel conducted formation testing and then further customized the fluid for superior performance at the well site.

ECONOMIC VALUE CREATED

Use of the SHALEDRIL system resulted in the ability to run casing with no problems, a gauge hole requiring less cement around casing, and excellent rate of penetration (ROP). On the first well alone, the operator was able to save four days on their AFE resulting in approximate savings of $250,000. The use of the system on additional wells has seen similar results in that the system significantly decreased the AFE expenditures on each well. Overall, the operator has seen an approximate savings of $750,000 on their AFE costs as a result of implementing the SHALEDRIL water-based drilling fluid while obtaining the objective of no liquid mud haul-off.

Shale drilled with NaCl fluid and 6% KCl

2008 Halliburton

Shale drilled with SHALEDRIL system

www.halliburton.com/baroid