SPE 94437

Aluminum-Based HPWBM Successfully Replaces Oil-Based Mud to Drill Exploratory

Wells in an Environmentally Sensitive Area
M.A. Ramirez, SPE, D.K. Clapper, SPE, G. Sanchez, SPE, and E. Luna, SPE, Baker Hughes Drilling Fluids,
and O. Preciado, SPE, and J. Santamaria, SPE, Petrobras Colombia
Copyright 2005, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Latin American and Caribbean
Petroleum Engineering Conference held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20 23 June 2005.
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Oil-based muds traditionally have been used by Petrobras to

drill wells in the Upper Magdalena Valley of Colombia to
address wellbore instability problems associated with the
Villeta shale. Recently the operator faced additional
challenges while drilling an exploratory well due to 1)
environmental concerns in a highly sensitive area, and 2)
formation evaluation problems associated with oil-based
fluids.
Significant advances in mud design in the last few years
have allowed water-based mud performance to approach the
performance of oil-based mud. Therefore, the operator and
fluids company created a task force to evaluate the application
of water-based mud for this well. The planning stage included
laboratory tests, past history review and an evaluation of the
service companys experiences when drilling similar shales in
the area. A high performance water-based mud (HPWBM)
containing clay and shale stabilizers, a ROP enhancer, and
sealing agents was selected to drill the well.
This paper presents the laboratory and field data generated
during this project. The well was drilled through the
troublesome shale section and to the top of the production
reservoir without experiencing wellbore stability problems.
The system was resistant to carbon dioxide and anhydrite
contamination. Gas kicks were controlled without difficulty
and the fluid exhibited excellent rheological properties when
higher densities were required to control formation pressures.
The operators expectations were met in this difficult well
although areas for improvement were identified for future
applications. These include enhanced resistance to anhydrite
contamination, increased control of bit balling, reduced hole
enlargement and improved ROP through hydraulics

optimization. Additional testing to address these issues is

planned using shale samples collected from the well. The
operator and service company concluded that a properly
designed water-based mud is a viable alternative to an oilbased mud in areas where environmental restrictions and
formation evaluation problems are a concern.
Introduction
Oil-based muds (OBM) and synthetic-based muds (SBM)
excel in drilling performance through elimination of water in
the external phase and the positive contributions of the oil (or
synthetic fluid) which is non-polar and lubricious. The
undesirable characteristics of water-based fluids include the
reaction
with
formation
clays
and
shales,
hydration/plastification and/or disintegration of cuttings, loss
of wellbore support through pore pressure transmission, the
ability to dissolve salt and to corrode metals. The desirable
characteristics of oil/synthetic fluid include borehole stability,
cuttings stability, efficient solids removal, superior lubricity,
and greater rate of penetration.
Despite their broad applicability, high performance and
capacity for reuse, OBM/SBM also carry higher unit costs
(especially SBM), are more difficult to mix, are prone to lost
circulation, and less environmentally acceptable than waterbased muds (WBM).
Unfortunately, environmental concerns make the use of
oil-based muds increasingly more difficult, costly and risky
since:
special authorization must be obtained,
expensive cuttings disposal procedures need to be
implemented, and
long-term legal liability has been imposed in many countries
leaving little room for errors.
These disadvantages have led to the development of waterbased drilling fluids that attempt to duplicate oil-based or
synthetic-based mud performance without the limitations.
Consequently, many operators have returned to
environmentally friendly water-based systems in spite of the
increased risk of drilling problems. The development of

M. RAMIREZ, D.K. CLAPPER, G. SANCHEZ, E. LUNA, O. PRECIADO, J.SANTAMARIA

HPWBM has focused on closing the performance gap between

oil-based and water-based drilling fluids1.
Mechanisms for Wellbore Stability
Recent research performed by the industry shows that several
mechanisms are involved in wellbore stability, and that their
relative importance can be estimated.2-6
Pore pressure transmission into the formation rock, in the
vicinity of the wellbore appears to be of major importance in
very low permeability rocks as confirmed by experimental and
analytical work.
Plasticity models better simulate the actual behavior of a
wellbore as seen in hollow cylinder tests.
Anisotropy of the rock can influence failure either by its
impact on stress redistribution, or through rock strength
anisotropy.
Capillary effects can help greatly in oil-based muds by
effectively supporting the borehole wall. Pressure invasion is
controlled by the extremely high capillary entry pressure
required for an oil to enter shale pore throats.
Osmosis, although a well understood phenomenon, is only
part of the physico-chemical interactions between borehole
and drilling fluid. The role of osmosis as part of the complex
effect of drilling fluids on wellbore stability has been
discussed by other authors.
Physico-chemical interaction between shale and water-based
drilling fluids leads to dissolution of a mineralogical phase of
the rock, as demonstrated by laboratory experiments and
observed in field cases. The subsequent alteration of rock
cohesion can explain shale failure or dispersion.
Thermal effects (cooling of the bottom part of the well and
heating of the upper part), although not specific to shales, can
also be significant.
The aluminum chemistry approach to shale stability is based
on changing the physico-chemical behavior of the shale, in
contrast to the widely applied ionic exchange approach.
Pore Pressure Transmission
Shale interaction with the drilling fluid is a major cause of
decreased drilling efficiency and increased well cost.
Laboratory studies of shale interaction with drilling fluids
have been, for the most part, limited to the observation of
reactivity. Routinely, cuttings taken from shale shakers are
washed, dried, and weighed or, in some cases, the recovered
cuttings are pressed into pellets. The cuttings or pellets are
then placed into test fluids and observed for their tendency to
soften, disperse or disintegrate. The fluids effects on the
cuttings or pellets are evaluated by measuring changes in
sample weight and hardness, as well as physical condition.
Other methods such as triaxial test devices have been built
at very high cost to test cores under confinement pressures.
The large supply of shale cores needed for these devices are
difficult to obtain in their native state.
One major characteristic of shales is their very low
permeability. As has been reported by several authors, shale

94437

permeability has to be expressed in nanodarcies. This is due to

the small size of the shale pores, which are in the 0.01-0.001
m range. When using conventional water-based muds, a filter
cake cannot form on a shaly formation. Thus, water will enter
the rock through pore openings or microfractures. However,
before a significant amount of water enters the rock matrix,
pore pressure will diffuse into the rock. Eventually, this pore
pressure increase will result in an increase of average effective
stress at the wellbore, and thus induce rock failure. This
failure is time-dependent, due to the low permeability of the
shale.
The most important factor in maintaining borehole stability
is the prevention of fluid invasion into the shale matrix, thus
maintaining hydraulic pressure support of the borehole wall.
An ideal drilling fluid, with respect to shale stability, will
allow no fluid invasion. Measuring the pressure increase
across a shale core as small amounts of fluid enter into the
core is an alternative method of measuring borehole stability.
Shell, BP and Agip have developed devices for measuring
pore pressure transmission (PPT). A test device was designed
and built by a fluid service company to measure pore pressure
transmission through native cores. The custom-built PPT
apparatus has been in operation for seven years and has been
used to evaluate numerous drilling fluids systems. In fact, the
device has been a keystone in the development of aluminum
products, and HPWBM systems.7-9
The PPT device is designed primarily to measure
membrane efficiency and osmotic effects of fluids on shale
samples. When these aspects of wellbore stability are isolated
by laboratory testing, it has been found that chemicals that are
capable of reducing rate of pore pressure transmission are
most effective when they are used with a high concentration of
a salt to reduce water activity of the simulated drilling fluid.
Several chemicals have been found to reduce pore pressure
transmission including glycols, silicates, and aluminum
complexes. Glycols are reported to reduce pore pressure
transmission by cloud point effects while precipitation
processes allow silicates10 and aluminum complexes to control
pore pressure transmission. Although these chemicals are
most effective when tested in highly saline solutions, field
experience has proven that some of the same chemicals can be
used effectively in combination with other shale stabilizers
and sealing agents in land applications. Several years ago
preliminary PPT testing of aluminum complexes revealed that
aluminum compounds could be used effectively to reduce the
rate of pore pressure transmission in the laboratory device.
PPT plots of water-based mud systems are shown in Fig. 1. A
PPT plot for an Aluminum Hydroxide Complex (AHC) fluid
and an oil-based mud are shown for comparison.
Aluminum Chemistry
The versatility of aluminum chemistry can be discussed in the
context of general characteristics of this element. Various
aspects of aluminum chemistry11-12 featured in drilling
applications are presented below:
Aluminum can exist as compounds that may be soluble or

94437 ALUMINUM-BASED HPWBM SUCCESSFULLY REPLACES OIL-BASED MUD TO DRILL EXPLORATORY WELLS IN AN
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA
3

insoluble in water (Table 1) depending on the counter ion

and solution pH.
Aluminum ions, formed by the dissolution of soluble
aluminum salts, exist as hexahydrate ions in an octahedral
configuration (Fig. 2). The high charge of aluminum ions
results in the loss of hydration shell protons that produces
a series of hydrolysis products (Fig. 3). Aluminum
induced hydrolysis produces acidic solutions for virtually
all water-soluble salts.
Aluminum exhibits a complex, pH-dependent chemistry
in aqueous systems and the ability to produce important
effects from either acidic or alkaline aluminum sources.
Solutions of aluminum salts contain only Al(H2O)63+ at
pH values below 3. When pH values are between 3 and 5,
aluminum species are distributed between a mixture of
hydroxo species including Al(OH)2+ , Al(OH)2+, and
various polynuclear (containing two or more aluminum
atoms) cations. At pH values between 5 and 6, Al(OH)3
appears. As the pH becomes more alkaline, Al(OH)4
becomes dominant.
Under appropriate conditions, aluminum forms an
amphoteric hydroxide which at higher pH forms soluble
tetrahydroxyaluminate anion (Fig. 4).
Aluminum hydroxides exist in several crystalline or
amorphous forms (Fig. 5).
Wellbore stability is enhanced by precipitation of
aluminum hydroxides within shale pore throats and
microfractures.

Aluminum Chemistry Mechanism for Stability

The aluminum chemistry approach to shale stability is based
on changing the physico-chemical behavior of the shale.
Contrary to the widely investigated ionic exchange between
fluid and shale, this approach is based on aluminum chemistry
designed to precipitate as aluminum hydroxide which may
eventually become incorporated into the mineral matrix of the
formation. This aluminum precipitate greatly enhances the
stability and physical strength of a sensitive shale section and
forms a physical barrier to further filtrate invasion of the shale.
The AHC dissolves in the aqueous drilling fluid and
generates tetrahydroxyaluminate ions, Al(OH)4. Chemical
literature implies that the tetrahydroxyaluminate anion is the
dominant soluble species for the drilling fluid environment.14
As AHC is added to the drilling fluid, aluminate immediately
enters solution. AHC treatments will generate a mud pH of 10
to 12, depending on the quantity added. The mud pH will
determine the distribution of tetrahydroxyaluminate and
aluminum hydroxide.
If sufficient AHC is maintained in the mud, excess
tetrahydroxyaluminate will be present in the filtrate. When
exposed to a lower shale pH, aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3]
will precipitate from the filtrate. Precipitation is accelerated
when the alkaline mud filtrate is exposed to connate water,
possessing pHs as low as 4 to 5, in the shale microfractures.
Aluminum hydroxide may exist as an amorphous precipitate

or in a variety of crystalline forms such as: gibbsite, bayerite,

nordstrandite, boehmite or diaspore. The type of aluminum
hydroxide that forms is dependent on many factors including
temperature as well as other ingredients in the fluid such as
electrolytes and organic acids.15-20 Under certain conditions,
the aluminum hydroxide may initially precipitate in one form
but later change to another form or allotrope.
Because hydroxides and aluminate are the most common
aluminum species at typical drilling fluid pH levels, the
generation of aluminum hydroxides from aluminate is the
critical process in AHC mud systems. This prevents hydration
and enhances borehole stability. This same hypothesis
explains the stabilizing effects of mud filtrate on shale cores.
The filtrate is exposed to a lower pH environment when it
penetrates into the shale wall and microfractures, causing the
excess AHC in the mud filtrate to precipitate as hydroxides
along the filtrate front (Fig. 6). The precipitated hydroxides
may eventually change to crystalline forms. Subsequently,
the aluminum hydroxides may become part of the shale crystal
structure, helping stabilize the shale. This chemical process
would greatly reduce the induced pore pressure transmission
inside the shale microfractures.
Various chemical factors are involved in controlling clay
hydration and stability. Fig. 7 illustrates the use of aluminum
complex as part of a strategy to control dispersion of kaolinite.
Aluminum complex is shown precipitating in microfractures
of Colombian Villeta shale.
Amine Shale Inhibitor
Additional control of drill cuttings dispersion is provided by
the use of amine shale inhibitor that supplements the AHC by
a cationic exchange process. The amine reacts with clay sites
on shale cuttings and reduces the amount of water adsorption
by the cuttings. The amine inhibitor is designed to meet
environmental regulations for land because it does not contain
chloride salts.
Laboratory Data
Shale Hydration Test. The use of shale samples has proven
to be a useful method for determining the inhibitive
characteristics of drilling fluid additives. Shale hydration tests
are routinely used to verify drilling fluid composition
recommendations based on shale mineralogy. XRD of shale
samples from two off-set wells were analyzed (Table 2).
Although core samples are the most useful, such samples are
rarely available. Therefore, drill cuttings are usually used. The
use of 5.0 lb/bbl aluminum complex resulted in a 75%
reduction in hydration, when compared to the base fluid. Also
the use of an amine compound produced a 90% reduction in
hydration (Table 3 and Figs. 8-10).
Additional laboratory tests were conducted with shale
samples from actual wells to evaluate AHC fluid stability with
respect to time and temperature and to monitor the rate of
AHC depletion. The XRD data for these shale samples
correlated well with those obtained from nearby wells (Table
4).

M. RAMIREZ, D.K. CLAPPER, G. SANCHEZ, E. LUNA, O. PRECIADO, J.SANTAMARIA

Environmental Issues for Aluminum-Based Product

Many of the areas where drilling activities occur are controlled
by environmental regulations. Operators as well as service
companies must be cognizant of the implications of these
regulations on design and use of drilling fluids. All new
products proposed for use in environmentally sensitive areas
must satisfy the requirements of a growing list of regulations.
AHC has been evaluated using various ecological and
toxicological test protocols and was found to be acceptable for
offshore use in both the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea.
Results of testing by both US and European protocols are
presented in Table 8. Tests conducted according to North Sea
protocols have resulted in a HOCNS (Harmonized Offshore
Chemical Notification Scheme) gold HQ ranking, which is
the best environmental ranking.
Biodegradation. A study was carried out following OECD
protocol as required in Brazil to determine the
biodegradability of Aluminum Complex/Amine/KCl in
seawater (Tables 10 and 11). A sample concentration of 2
mg/L was completely biodegradable in seawater (100%
biodegradation) at 24 to 25 days after a total incubation period
of 28 days at 25 1C in the dark (Figs. 11 and 12).
Field Experience with Aluminum Complex
Monicongo-1, Exploratory well, Colombia. This exploratory
well was located in the Upper Magdalena River of Colombia
(Fig. 13). Major drilling challenges encountered in this area
include lost circulation and shale related problems. The highly
sloughing Villeta shales and other low reactivity shales are the
major causes of stuck pipe, resulting in sidetracks. When
conventional water-based muds were used in this area, they
met with little success. This led the operator to the use of oilbased muds for improved drilling efficiency.
In an effort to minimize environmental concerns and
improve formation evalution in a difficult exploratory well, a
water-based mud option was considered. Also, a water-based
mud was selected because of the increased risk associated with
oil-based muds regarding control of gas kicks and lost
circulation.
Cuttings from nearby wells were analyzed and evaluated in
the laboratory. This information was used in selecting a fluid
to enhance shale stability in the troublesome sections. The
Villeta shale is classified as hard, sometimes brittle
microfractured shales. When drilled with a non-inhibitive fluid
these formations tend to slough severely, sometimes resulting
in severe hole instability. Laboratory test results suggested that
these sensitive shales could be properly inhibited using an
AHC/PHPA/WDA (water-dispersible asphalt) fluid. This fluid
was used to drill the first test well to 5,600 feet. The
troublesome sloughing shales encountered in the 17 section
were drilled by using an average AHC concentration of 5
pounds per barrel (lb/bbl). The average concentration of WDA
was 4.5 lb/bbl. The AHC/amine contributed to a decrease in
the expected dilution rate during this interval (7,006 bbl mixed
as compared with 7,860 bbl planned). The concentration of
amine was maintained at a relatively low 0.5 lb/bbl. The
system handled severe anhydrite/gypsum contamination, and

94437

the relatively high pH of the system (10.5 10.8) assisted in

controlling alkalinity imbalance. The mud density was
increased at the end of the section for improved stability.
The AHC/PHPA/WDA system provided good hole
stability. The 12" section (6,033 feet) was drilled in 54 days.
At this depth, 95/8" casing was set and cemented without
problems. In addition to controlling the reactive swelling
shales by using an amine compound, the AHC system proved
effective in stabilizing microfractured sloughing shales. The
amine concentration was raised from 0.4 to 6.0 lb/bbl in order
to improve inhibition while drilling shale containing mixedlayer illite and significant amounts of kaolinite (Table 4). As
a consequence the dilution rates were reduced from 1.0 to 0.77
bbl/ft. The mud exhibited stable properties despite mud
density increases to 16.0 lb/bbl due to well control problems
and low dilution rates. The rate of penetration was improved
from 4 ft/hr to 16-18 ft/hr by addition of a 1% treatment of an
extreme pressure lubricant to the circulating system and
increasing the HSI to 1.7. Less torque and drag were observed
after the lubricant addition.
Anhydrite contamination
increased the conductivity of the waste water and required
dilution with fresh water for proper disposal.
Proper mud density management to prevent lost circulation
was essential to the successful drilling of this well. Refer to
Tables 5 and 6 for typical mud formulations and properties
for the 12" and 8 sections. The downhole rheological
profile of the field mud is indicated in Table 7 and Fig. 16.
Conclusions
1. A water-based mud with an appropriate design for shale
and clay stability, prevention of bit balling and BHA
accretion, enhanced lubrication and ROP is a viable alternative
to oil-based mud used to drill wells in the middle Magdalena
valley of Colombia.
2. The water-based mud used in the difficult exploratory
well consisted of aluminum complex for shale stability, amine
compound for clay stability, blown asphalt to improve the
sealing effect on microfractures, a high pressure lubricant and
ROP enhancer. This additive package provided both wellbore
stability and ROP competitive with oil-based mud.
3. The aluminum hydroxide precipitate effectively reduces
pore pressure transmission through the microfractured brittle
Villeta shale and provided wellbore stability while drilling the
troublesome Villeta shale.
4. The stabilization of kaolinitic Villeta shale by using
aluminum chemistry is in agreement with field experiences in
the Latin America region using this system in similar shales
along the Andean Mountains.
5. Because aluminum chemistry is very effective for
controlling the rheology of high density muds, no dispersants
were required. The improved viscosity control enhanced gas
removal efficiency during kicks.
6. It is well known that water-based muds have higher
fracture propagation pressures than oil-based muds.
Maintaining well control while avoiding lost circulation events
is difficult to achieve when drilling gas wells with oil-based

94437 ALUMINUM-BASED HPWBM SUCCESSFULLY REPLACES OIL-BASED MUD TO DRILL EXPLORATORY WELLS IN AN
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA
5

mud. Lost circulation and gas kicks occurred while drilling

the 12 hole section.
Well control issues did not
compromise the operation because the AHC system
significantly reduced the risks associated with these events.
7. The mud system is environmentally friendly in two
ways: 1) no chloride salts are used for inhibition, and 2) since
the aluminum hydroxide precipitates are compatible with
formation geology, the precipitates incorporate into the shale
crystal structure formed by alumino-silicates.
8. Although further improvements to this new water-based
system are anticipated, this system is a first step toward
changing the paradigm of oil-based mud as the only solution
for wellbore problems. The HPWBM should be understood as
an alternative rather than a substitute for oil-based mud. The
hole enlargement experienced in the 17 hole interval can
be minimized by using a higher concentration of the amine (56 lb/bbl) and by raising the mud density.
9. The operator needed to balance the environmental
benefits and more reliable formation evaluation with the
increased operational risks associated with a water-based mud.
The environmental benefits and more reliable formation
evaluation in exploratory wells led the operator to accept some
increased risk.

7.
8.

9.

10.

11.
12.
13.

Acknowlegments
We thank Baker Hughes Drilling Fluids and Petrobras
Colombia for permission to present this paper. Also, we thank
Oscar Preciado from Petrobras for his support and comments
regarding this paper. Acknowledgment is due also to Bill
Gusler for contribution of PPT data. We also appreciate the
comments and suggestions from Robert Peresich and Ed
Malachosky from BHDF.

14.

References

17.

1.

2.
3.

4.

5.

6.

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van Oort, E. et.al.: Critical Parameters in Modeling
Chemical Aspects of Borehole Stability in Shales and
Designing Improved Water-Based Drilling Fluids, SPE
28309, 69th Annual Technical Conference, New Orleans,
La., Sept. 1994.
van Oort, E.: Physico-Chemical Stabilization of Shales,
SPE 37263, SPE International Symposium on Oilfield
Chemistry, Houston, Texas, February 18-21, 1997.

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20.

Stowe,C., Gusler, B., and Clark, D.: Mechanical Effect of

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Clapper, Dennis K., Halliday, William S., and Xiang, Tao:
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IADC/SPE 35059, IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, New
Orleans, March 12-15, 1996.
Sposito, Garrison, The Environmental Chemistry of
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Baes, C.F, Jr. and Mesmer, R.E: The Hydrolysis of Cations,
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Benaissa, Saddok. And Clapper, D.K.: Oil Field
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Aluminum-Based Drilling Fluid Additive, SPE 37218,
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M. RAMIREZ, D.K. CLAPPER, G. SANCHEZ, E. LUNA, O. PRECIADO, J.SANTAMARIA

SI Metric Conversion Factors

E01
E03
E03
E+00
E01
E01
E+00
E02
E+00
E+02
E01
E+00

TABLE 4 - Typical Well Mineralogical Profile

= m3
= m3
= Pas
= cm
= kg
=m
= kpa
= bar
= kg/m3
= kg/m3
= Pa
= C

Depth, ft

bbl 1.589873
gal 3.785412
cp 1.0
inch 2.54
lbm 4.535924
ft 3.04
psi 6.894757
psi 6.894759
ppg 2.853
lbm/gal 1.198264
lb/100 ft2 4.788026
(F-32) 1.8

TABLE 1 - Examples of Aluminum Compounds

Name
Formula
Water
Aqueous
Solubility Solution pH
Aluminum
Chloride
Aluminum
Sulfate
Potassium
Alum
Aluminum
Lactate
Aluminum
Stearate
Sodium
Aluminate

AlCl3

<7

Al2(SO4)316 H2O

<7

KAl(SO4)212 H2O

<7

Al(C3H5O3)3

<7

Al[O2C(CH2)16CH3]3

>7

NaAlO2 or
Na2OAl2O3
S=Soluble

5-10

6200 10-15

4800

5-10

3-5

20-25

50-55

15-20 <50

6200

5-10

1-2

3-5

20-25

45-50

15-20 <50

8350

5-10

25-30

30-35 tr

5-10 15-20 <75

8700 10-15

5-10

45-50

30-35 <60

9550

5-10

5-10

55-60

25-30 <80

9700 20-25

5-10

45-50

20-25 <50

9950

5-10

5-10

40-45

25-30 <50

10100 5-10

10-15

55-60

1015

20-25 <50

10300 5-10

5-10

5-10

55-60

20-25 <35

10430 10-15

10570 5-10

10590 5-10
10620

10640 5-10

25-30

15-20

5-10

5-10

50-55

25-30 <30

2-3

5-10

5-10

55-60

20-25 <40

5-10

5-10 10-15

55-60

15-20 <30

5-10

5-10 10-15

45-50

15-25 <20

5-10

55-60

1015
-

5-10

20-25 <20

TABLE 5 - Mud Formulation for Monicongo Well

Component
Concentration

I=Insoluble

TABLE 2 - Typical Well Mineralogical Off-Set Wells

4800

94437

Bentonite
PHPA
Aluminum Complex
Amine
Low Vis PAC
Regular PAC
Blown Asphalt

9.0 lb/bbl
1.5 lb/bbl
3.5 lb/bbl
5.0 lb/bbl
1.0 lb/bbl
0.7 lb/bbl
4.0 lb/bbl

5-10

5-10

35-40

20-25 <80

TABLE 6 - Typical Properties for Monicongo Well

Muds
Hole Size, in
17
12

1-2

5-10

50-55

20-25 <80

Property

TABLE 3 - Shale Hydration Test

Components
% Hydration
Water
5.0 lb/bbl Aluminum complex in water
4.0 lb/bbl Amine in water

50
12
4

Density, lb/gal
Plastic Viscosity, cP
2
Yield Point, lb/100 ft
2
Gel Strengths, lb/100 ft
3
API Filtrate, cm /30 min
pH
3
250F HTHP, cm /30 min
MBT, lb/bbl
LGS, % by volume

10.7
24
22
6/15/18
4.8
10.8
15.0
22.5
7.49

15.7
36
25
8/15/19
4.0
10.7
12.5
20.0
6.2

94437 ALUMINUM-BASED HPWBM SUCCESSFULLY REPLACES OIL-BASED MUD TO DRILL EXPLORATORY WELLS IN AN
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA
7

TABLE 7 - Fann Model Results for 10.3 lb/gal Field Mud

Test Conditions
Temp
Pressure
(F)
(psi)

PV,
cP

RPM Readings @

YP,
lbf/100ft

600

300

200

100

75

145

81

58

42

20

19

64

17

87

3,493

105

59

47.4

33.2

17.8

15.8

46

13

100

3,887

87.6

53

43.9

30.6

12.3

10.1

34.6

18.4

112

4,280

77.3

49.2

41.7

28.6

13.8

15.6

28.1

21.1

70.3

44.5

38.2

28.1

14.5

15.6

25.8

18.7

4,673
136

5,066

64.4

44.7

36.9

25.7

12.3

14.5

19.7

25

149

5,460

64.5

44.5

36.2

25.1

16.2

14.5

20

24.5

161

5,853

61.5

42.7

35.7

24.8

15.1

17.3

18.8

23.9

TABLE 8 - Ecological and Toxicological Data for

AHC
Test Method
Result
US EPA M. bahia LC50 for 6 ppb in
Chrome-Free Lignosulsonate System
(See Table 9)
72hr EC50 Skeletonema costatum
Acartia tonsa 48 hour LC50
96hr LC50 Scophthalamus maximus (mg/l)
5 day EC50 Abra alba (ppm total medium)
28 day Aerobic Biodegradation
(OECD 306), %
Bioaccumulation Potential (Octanol/water
partition co-efficient log Pow)
HQ Band

>1,000,000 ppm
suspended particulate
phase
1250 mg/L
>1000 mg/L
>1800
289
21
(Organic component)
2.4
Gold (No Substitution
Warning)

TABLE 10 Biodegradation Data for AHC/Amine

Fluid
Sample
Description
AHC/Amine
Chemical Control
Tocixity Control
Reference

Oxygen Consumption
mg O2/mg sample
Day
Day
Day
5
15
28
0.03
-0.15
0.13
-0.13
-0.10
-0.50
0.49
0.56
0.59
0.85
1.10
1.38

%
Biodegration
209
-834
34
82

TABLE 9 - Seawater Mud Formulation for US

EPA Mysidopsis bahia bioassay
Component
AHC

Concentration
6 lb/bbl

Bentonite
Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Lignite
Sulfonated Styrene Copolymer

20 lb/bbl
0.5 lb/bbl
3.0 lb/bbl
0.5 lb/bbl

Xanthan Gum
Chrome-free Lignosulfonate
Sodium Hydroxide
Soda Ash

5.0 lb/bbl
1.0 lb/bbl
1.0 lb/bbl
1.0 lb/bbl

Barite

137 lb/bbl

Table 11 Chemical Oxygen Demand and Standard

Bacteria Count for AHC/Amine Biodegradation Test
Solution

Initial
DQO

Bacteria count
(UFC/mL)

(mg/L)

Day 0

Day 5

Day 15

Day 28

Blank

1242

> 5600

1932

3808

> 5600

Sample

1079

1262

340

76

1736

Chemical Control

1047

<1

Tocixity Control

1367

2506

2576

117

2301

Reference

529

1400

1414

448

2030

M. RAMIREZ, D.K. CLAPPER, E. LUNA, G. SANCHEZ, O. PRECIADO,J.SANTAMARIA

Figure 1 Pore pressure transmission plots showing performance of aluminum complex

94437

94437 ALUMINUM-BASED HPWBM SUCCESSFULLY REPLACES OIL-BASED MUD TO DRILL EXPLORATORY WELLS IN AN
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA
9

H
GELATINOUS

Pseudoboehmite

Al +3
H
H

CRYSTALLINE

Amorphous

Oxide-hydroxides
AlO(OH)

Trihydroxides
Al(OH)3
Gibbsite
Bayerite
Norstrandite

Figure 5 Crystalline and non-crystalline or gelatinous forms of

aluminum hydroxide

Figures 2 Association of water molecules with aluminum

cations in aqueous solution

Al+3 + H2O

Al(OH)+2 + H+

Al+3 + 2H2O

Al(OH)2+ + 2H+

Al+3 + 3H2O

Al(OH)3 + 3H+

Al+3 + 4H2O

Al(OH)4- + 4H+

Figure 3 Hydrolysis of aluminum cations

Al+3
Soluble

Acid

Al(OH)3
Amphoteric

Base

Figure 6 - Wellbore stability is enhanced by precipitation of

aluminum hydroxides within shale pore throats and
microfractures. Drill solids integrity is maintained by a
combination of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and aluminum
complex.

Al(OH)4
Soluble

Figure 4 - Aluminum hydroxide reactions with acid or base

Figure 7 - Dispersion of kaolinite controlled by aluminum complex

precipitation in microfractures of Colombian Villeta shale

10

M. RAMIREZ, D.K. CLAPPER, E. LUNA, G. SANCHEZ, O. PRECIADO,J.SANTAMARIA

94437

Figure 11 Oxygen demand for biodegradation test on AHC /

amine / KCl fluid
Figure 8 Shale samples after exposure to aluminum complex
during hydration-disperson test

Figure 12 - Biodegradation curve for AHC / amine / KCl fluid

Figure 9 Shale samples after exposure to aluminum complex
during hydration-disperson test

80
Kaolinite

Expandable

70
% Composition

60
50
40
30
20
10
10660

10620

10590

10570

10420

10300

10100

9950

9700

9550

8700

8350

Depth, Ft

Figure 13 Exploratory well location

Figure 10 XRD of well shale samples showing the significant
amount of non-expandable kaolinite clay

94437 ALUMINUM-BASED HPWBM SUCCESSFULLY REPLACES OIL-BASED MUD TO DRILL EXPLORATORY WELLS IN AN
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA
11

20 0

20"

26" @ 697'

10 20

30 40

50 60

70 80

1 0

20

Spud
Mud
1000

Lost Circulation, 226 bbl

2000

Lost Circulation, 310 bbl

3000

AHC
Amine
4000
Carbonates & Anhydrite Contamination

5000

13 3/8"

17.5" @ 5617'
6000

7000

Gas Kick @ 7,809', Raised MW to 15.6 lb/gal

AHC
Amine

8000

Rotando y deslizando 7900 - 10700'

9000

Low ROP
Added 1% Extreme Pressure Lubricant
Lost Circulation: 1809 bbl
Pumped Synthetic Graphite,Polymer, Ca Carbonate
Flakes

10000

11000
9 5/8"

12.25" @ 11650'
12000

Figure 14 - Well design for Monicongo-1

Figure 15 Mud properties of exploratory well while using aluminum complex

12

M. RAMIREZ, D.K. CLAPPER, E. LUNA, G. SANCHEZ, O. PRECIADO,J.SANTAMARIA

Figure 16 Fann 75 rheological profile of aluminum complex field mud

94437