Shale

Problems

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Shales Background
Definition: clay- rich Sedimentary rocks
Sensitive to both mechanical & chemical influences
Hardness is a useful classification: Soft, Firm, Hard, Brittle
Shale type
Soft

Firm

Hard
Brittle

Typical problems
Tight hole due to swelling
Hole enlargement due to washout (dispersion)
Bit balling, blocked flow lines
Tight hole due to swelling
Possible washout (dispersion)
Bit balling
Occasional cavings
Cavings
Tight holes in stressed form ations
Cavings
Holes collapse
Time delayed failure

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MBT (meq/100 g) Water content (w./w. %)

20-40
25-70

Clay type
smectite
illite

clay w. %
20-30

SG
1.2-1.5

10-20

15-25

illite mixed layer

20-30

1.5-2.2

3-10

5-15

20-30

2.0-2.3

0-3

2-5

illite
possibly smectite
illite
kaolinite
chlorite

5-30

2.1-2.5

Mechanical effects of shale problems

problems
A large number of variables influence hole stability
Controllable mechanical variables are:
Well Trajectory
Bit Type / Nozzle Size
Weight on Bit / Swab Pressure / Surge Pressure
BHA Assembly
Drillstring Vibration
Jet Velocity
ROP
Mud Weight / Mud Flow Rate / Mud Rheology

Mud Weight is the most fundamental :

too low = risks of tight hole or wellbore breakout
too high = risks of formations fracturation and
contamination
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Chemical effects of shale problems

Hydration of Clay minerals in Shale
Swelling
Softening and Dispersion in softer shales
Rock Failures in harder materials

Reduction of reactions with water is critical = INHIBITION

Choice of Appropriate Drilling Fluid
In WBM, combine salts and polymers:
Salt = reduction of clay swelling and dispersion
Role of Polymers - 3 main processes:
encapsulate the shale to hold it together (e.g. PHPA)
avoid contact with shale by precipitation
(e.g. PHPA) in pores (mud cake, rock)
Chemical Strengthening Effect (e.g. Glycols)
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Problems in Soft/
Soft/Firm
Firm Shales

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Bit Balling in Soft/

Soft/Firm
Firm Shales
Shales can adhere to BHA = clogging of drill bit, stabilizers,
drill collars
High risk with plastic shale sequences and poor inhibitive
fluids
Preventative Measures:
location History : review previous incidence in the area
use inhibiting package (KCl/Polymer
, KCl/Glycol
,
Gyp/PAC )
add film-forming lubricant
no excessive weight on bit
ensure good hole cleaning (think rheology !) :
no cuttings build-up
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Bit Balling in Soft/

Soft/Firm
Firm Shales
Symptoms & Cure
Numerous Symptoms:
increased pump pressures = blocked pathway
reduced ROP = balled bit
blocked shakers = clay with balling tendency
stuck pipe

Cure for Bit Balling:

reduce weight a bit
add Drilling Detergent to dispersed balled clay
If DD fails, consider fresh water pills or addition of glycols
If still unsuccessful, POOH slowly whilst rotating, clean
BHA and adopt preventive measures
with OBM (rare), increase mud salinity = more
moisture drawn from shale + increased shale hardness

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Problems in Soft/
Soft/Firm
Firm Shales

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Mud Rings in Soft/

Soft/Firm
Firm Shales

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Mud Rings in Soft/

Soft/Firm
Firm Shales
Symptoms
Symptoms & Cure

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Problems in Soft/
Soft/Firm
Firm Shales

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Tight
Soft/Firm
Firm Shales
Tight Holes in Soft/

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Tight Holes in Soft/

Soft/Firm
Firm Shales
Prevention,
Prevention, Symptoms & Cure

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Problems in Soft/
Soft/Firm
Firm Shales

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Erosion/Washout
Erosion/Washout in Soft/Firm
Soft/Firm Shales

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Erosion/Washout
Erosion/Washout in Soft/Firm
Soft/Firm Shales
Symptoms & Cure

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Problems in Hard/
Hard/Brittle
Brittle Shales

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Tight
Tight Holes in Hard/Brittle
Hard/Brittle Shales

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Tight Holes in Hard/Brittle

Hard/Brittle Shales
Symptoms & Cure

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Sloughing/
Sloughing/Cavings in Hard/Brittle
Hard/Brittle Shales

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Sloughing/
Sloughing/Cavings in Hard/Brittle
Hard/Brittle Shales
Symptoms & Cure

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