Go with the flow

Much is being done to create fluids that are more stable in high pressure and temperature environments, as well as being more environmentally friendly. O&G spoke to expert Tom Brookey, President of ActiSystems, Inc., to find out more…

O&G. Drilling fluids play several crucial roles in the drilling process. Can you explain more about the toughest challenges?

TB. The toughest challenge now is to deal with depleted zones. As the pressure within these zones is reduced, it becomes more difficult to drill without losses. This is compounded by the fact that many intervals have shale beds present. The pressure within the shale does not deplete and causes a pressure variance that can be hundreds or even thousands of psi. This calls for fluids that can prevent losses to the depleted zones while maintaining sufficient hydrostatic pressure to balance the shale beds.

O&G. Cost, technical requirements and conditions can all influence the fluid types used. How do your solutions ensure all round efficiency and effectiveness?

TB. Cost must be measured by results. The most expensive fluids are those that do not address the overall well conditions but are formulated at low cost and only modified when problems occur. The least expensive fluids are those that anticipate and correct problems while drilling so that costly downtime and remediation are prevented. Our fluids are made to control these occurrences while drilling so that wellbore integrity and formation invasion is prevented. Keeping the fluid out of the rock and near the wellbore is the most efficient and effective solution, and the least costly for the overall operation. We cannot only simplify the drilling but make cementing and completions more efficient.

O&G. The government is pushing the Deep Trek program but as wells penetrate deeper formations, the extreme conditions can lead to fluid performance failure. How is this being tackled?

TB. Much is being done to create fluids that are more stable in high pressure and temperature environments. A great deal of work is being done with managed pressure drilling that is moving the industry forward. This involves equipment as well as engineering software to manage the complicated balance of wellbore and formation pressures. The invasion control fluids are a tremendous advantage in reducing the fluctuations and simplifying the wellbore to formation dynamic.

O&G. According to the National Energy Technology Laboratory, drilling fluids that can control subsurface pressure and maintain stability of the wellbore without harming permeability or productive formations is an import area for research in deep well drilling. Is enough being spent in this area? How have you been researching this field?

TB. A great deal is being spent in this area but much of the expenditure is focused on improving the current fluids. We are researching and have produced fluids that are effective in changing the way these fluids work. We have eliminated dependency on the wallcake method of protecting these permeable and productive formations and are utilizing pneumatic energy to create an at-balance condition in the near wellbore. This works even when the wellbore stability requires a significant overbalance to these formations.

O&G. Lost circulation is also a severe problem in rotary drilling. What techniques have been developed to try and avoid this? Where else can improvements be made?

TB. The pneumatic energy concept is very effective in controlling lost circulation since the at-balance condition can be created even in severe loss zones. In a sense, it produces an adjustable LCM that is effective in any size and shape of opening. It typically is effective in controlling losses while drilling.

O&G. How has environmental legislation impacted the drilling sector and how do you ensure your products meet these rigorous standards?

TB. All our products and systems are made to be environmentally friendly. We are in compliance with toxicity requirements for the GOM, North Sea, and Canada’s Microtox. We also utilize a unique alkalinity that does not require caustic, thus eliminating a dangerous substance from the location.

O&G. Overall, what would you say makes your products unique compared to offerings from your competitors?

TB. The most unique feature of our offerings is that we change the way drilling fluids work. By doing this, we are able to overcome many of the problems that are still around after many decades of rotary drilling. Conventional fluids are being improved, but still rely on the same basic concept of wallcake control.

Tom Brookey is President of ActiSystems, Inc., and CEO/General Manager of MASI Technologes, LLC. He studied civil engineering at Texas Tech before joining Humble Oil in the drilling department. He has held positions with several operating companies and drilling fluids companies, and has authored numerous technical papers as well as presenting at SPE and IADC conferences. He holds many US and International patents.

Brookey is a member of SPE and AADE. He has served as chairman of the IADC Drilling Fluids Subcommitte, past president of the Association of Independent Mud Companies, past member of the API Committee 13, past member of the SPE/IADC Program Committee, and SPE/IADC Session Chairman.