Latest Advances in Drilling, Completion Fluids, and Completion Practices for Formation Damage Minimization

by
Raul Mengual, MSE

University of Texas at Austin, 1997
Supervisor: Kenneth E. Gray

A major factor controlling the recovery of hydrocarbon from sandstone reservoirs is formation permeability. A reduction in permeability around the wellbore, also known as formation damage, can significantly affect formation’s ability to produce oil or gas in economical quantities or rates. This report is focused on formation damage in only the earlier stages, i.e., during drilling and completion.

Most drilling fluids are designed to de-flocculate clays and other fine particles in the wellbore, which is opposite to what is desirable in the formation rock. Therefore, filtrate invasion is potentially very damaging to the rock in the near-well area. Potentially damaging filtrates are also lost to the formation during well completion. permeability damage extends a few feet into the formation which makes it difficult to remedy. therefore, a preventive posture is required since formation damage, once formed, is never completely removable.

This investigation presents a review of the different damage mechanisms of rock-fluid system by drilling and completion fluids, and recommendations for formation damage minimization during drilling and completion operations.

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