Tech Report

Kuwait Oil Company Drills Through Challenging Shale Sections in Record 11 Days

Published: 10/20/2017

Tech Report

Kuwait Oil Company Drills Through Challenging Shale Sections in Record 11 Days

Published: 10/20/2017

Chart showing Kuwait Oil Company drilled and cased the 121/4-in and 81/2-in sections nearly 7 days faster than the offset wells average with no wellbore stability or differential sticking issues.

The customized drilling fluid included a clay hydration suppressant, shale-sealing additive, and a customized bridging package. Kuwait Oil Company drilled and cased the 121/4-in and 81/2-in sections nearly 7 days faster than the offset wells average with no wellbore stability or differential sticking issues.

Location

Kuwait, Asia

Details

Northern Kuwait

Lithology
Shale

Formations
Ahmadi and Wara

Sections
121/4 in and 81/2 in

Dogleg severity
11°/100 ft

Background

Due to wellbore stability issues, lubricity requirements, and depleted zones, Kuwait Oil Company historically used nonaqueous fluid to drill the buildup section in challenging shale formations. However, to meet new environmental regulations, the operator needed an alternative drilling fluid that would satisfy both operational and environmental objectives. M-I SWACO deployed a high-performance, water-base mud (HPWBM) incorporating KLA-STOP* liquid polyamine shale additives and POROSEAL* copolymeric filtration- control sealing additives. The additives enabled Kuwait Oil Company to drill the target sections in a record 11 days.

Products Used

POROSEAL

Copolymeric filtration-control sealing additive.

POROSEAL additive provides permeability plugging to effectively seal shales and filtercakes.

G-SEAL PLUS and G-SEAL PLUS COARSE

Wellbore stabilizing agents

Graphite and industrial carbon blends that bridge and seal porous and fractured formations.

KLA-STOP

Liquid polyamine shale additive

Effectively inhibit shale or gumbo clays from hydrating and minimize the potential for bit balling.