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Design, Manufacture and Evaluation of Water-Based Drilling Fluid Suitable for Onshore Wells in the Gorgan Plain

Avatefi Anvar, Mehrdad | 2025

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 57765 (06)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Jamshidi, Saeed; Kalhor Mohammadi, Mojtaba
  7. Abstract:
  8. The Southern Caspian Basin, which includes northern Iran, western Turkmenistan, and eastern Azerbaijan, is known as the Land of Fire due to its abundant gas springs. This region possesses unique geological features, including active mud volcanoes that are associated with the release of methane gas. These characteristics indicate a high potential for oil and gas exploration in the area. The Gorgan Plain, located in Golestan Province and bordered by the Alborz and Koupeh-Dagh mountain ranges and the southern Caspian Sea, witnesses several active and dormant mud volcanoes, which serve as indicators of energy resource presence in the region. The drilling problems faced in wells A and B in the Gorgan Plain are clearly attributed to the swelling shales present in the formations, which are recognized as the primary source of drilling challenges. While oil-based drilling fluids exhibit better quality during drilling, the use of water-based fluids is more common due to lower costs and environmental concerns. In this study, an optimized water-based drilling fluid was formulated to mitigate the bit balling challenges and tackle the problematic formations in the Golestan Plain. Various evaluations, including rheological properties and Methylene Blue Test and API-Fluid Loss tests, were conducted. After performing the aforementioned evaluations, eight fluids were selected and subjected to further assessments, such as Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and bit balling simulation. Ultimately, a fluid with specifications of MBT: 12.5, DLS: 3342, and Bit Balling %: 15 provided the best results. These findings highlight the efficacy of the selected fluid in reducing drilling problems in the Golestan Plain and emphasize the significance of choosing the appropriate drilling fluid for successful exploratory operations. The present research is particularly important due to its focus on optimizing water-based drilling fluids in a region with specific challenges. Considering previous drilling difficulties and the environmental impacts associated with the use of oil-based fluids, achieving an efficient and economical drilling fluid can enhance the drilling process and increase productivity in energy resource exploration. This study not only aids in resolving current issues but also empowers future drilling and exploration structures
  9. Keywords:
  10. Water-Based Drilling Fluid ; Shale Formation ; Onshore Wells ; Bit Balling Reduction ; Bit Balling Simulation ; Shale Inhibition ; Challenging Formations ; Gorgan

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