POLYMER-BASED DRILLING FLUIDS CONTAINING NON-BIODEGRADABLE PARTICULATES AND METHODS FOR USE THEREOF

摘要

Polymer-based drilling fluids may be used as an alternative to drilling fluids containing bentonite or other clay materials, although filter cake formation can often be inadequate when using polymer-based drilling fluids. As a result, drilling methods employing polymer-based drilling fluids may sometimes experience unacceptable fluid loss performance within a borehole. Drilling methods with enhanced fluid loss performance may comprise: providing a drilling fluid comprising a carrier fluid, a viscosity-enhancing polymer, and a plurality of non-biodegradable particulates, the non-biodegradable particulates comprising at least silica particulates; drilling a borehole in the presence of the drilling fluid; and forming a filter cake within the borehole, the filter cake comprising the non-biodegradable particulates.

主权项

1. A drilling method comprising:
providing a drilling fluid comprising a carrier fluid, a viscosity-enhancing polymer, and a plurality of non-biodegradable particulates, the non-biodegradable particulates comprising at least silica particulates; drilling a borehole in the presence of the drilling fluid; and forming a filter cake within the borehole, the filter cake comprising the non-biodegradable particulates.