Here we highlight the importance of drilling fluid selection when using WBM and maximizing the rate of penetration (ROP) that we know can be challenging, especially in formations prone to swelling or bit balling. However, with the right strategies, it is possible to maintain efficient drilling rates.
In a recent project drilling a 12,25 inch well, through a clay-rich shale formation, the team experienced a drop in ROP due to bit balling and poor hole cleaning. To resolve this, they added potassium chloride (KCl) to the WBM, which acted as a clay inhibitor, preventing swelling and reducing material buildup on the bit. They also increased the fluid’s flow rate to improve hole cleaning and switched to a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit designed to reduce bit balling.
By continuously monitoring real-time drilling data, the team adjusted parameters on the go, maintaining an optimal ROP of 15 meter per hour, significantly improving from their initial 10 meter per hour. The well was completed ahead of schedule, demonstrating that with careful fluid management, bit selection, and real-time monitoring, it is possible to maintain high drilling efficiency with WBM in challenging formations. Using MudSim in the future will ensure that same success story will happen in the future as well.
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Bilde-4.png21722409Yngve Bastesenhttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgYngve Bastesen2024-09-09 11:13:192024-09-09 11:42:25MAINTAINING RATE OF PENETRATION WITH WATER-BASED DRILLING FLUIDS
Recently, our team faced an important challenge from AkerBP: to evaluate MudSim’s accuracy by simulating and calculating key drilling parameters. The goal was simple yet critical—compare our results with AkerBP’s established data, focusing on Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD), Equivalent Static Density (ESD), and standpipe pressure.
Project Overview: Gekko North Well – 25/4-B-1 AY1H
AkerBP’s well, located in the Gekko North field and drilled using the DeepSea Nordkapp rig, provided a robust dataset for this evaluation. This well, with a total depth (TD) of 2729 meters, had already undergone extensive calculations by AkerBP. Our task was to replicate these calculations using MudSim to verify the tool’s accuracy and pinpoint areas for further development.
Key Drilling Parameters and Input Data
The following key drilling parameters were provided by AkerBP:
Section Length: From the 13 3/8’’ shoe to TD at 2729 meters.
Flow Rate: 3850 liters per minute (lpm).
Rotary Speed: 150 revolutions per minute (rpm).
Boost: 1000 lpm.
In addition to these parameters, we utilized a comprehensive set of inputs. This included the well schematic, end-of-well report, pore pressure plot, lithological description, wellpath, and drilling fluid data.
Simulation of Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD)
We used MudSim to simulate the ECD based on the provided data. The simulation employed the Herschel-Bulkley fluid model, which used parameters derived from a data-fitted procedure utilizing Fann data at 20°C. This model also included calculations for wall shear stress, friction factor, and an interpolation between laminar and turbulent flow regimes, guided by Reynolds number and effective viscosity.
Results: The simulation results closely matched AkerBP’s original calculations. This alignment demonstrates MudSim’s potential accuracy in replicating real-world drilling scenarios.
Adjusting for Pressure and Temperature: Equivalent Static Density (ESD)
Next, we turned our attention to ESD, which accounts for changes in drilling fluid density due to pressure and temperature variations. Our model incorporated factors such as thermal expansion and compressibility of the drilling mud.
Findings: The simulation revealed that while thermal expansion has a minor effect on the pressure profile, it remains a critical factor, especially in pressure-sensitive formations. The results were consistent with AkerBP’s data, reinforcing MudSim’s reliability in this context.
Standpipe Pressure Calculation
To calculate standpipe pressure, we simulated the pressure drop from the pump to the drill bit and back to the surface. This included pressure losses in the drill pipe, drill bit, and annulus.
Simulation Result: The standpipe pressure was calculated to be 132.05 bar. This calculation mirrored AkerBP’s results, further validating MudSim’s accuracy.
A Milestone in MudSim’s Development
MudSim’s outputs for the Gekko North well were within expected limits. However, this evaluation highlighted some areas for improvement. Specifically, enhancing the ESD model by incorporating fluid flow energy transport could improve accuracy. This enhancement would be particularly valuable in challenging drilling environments, where even minor improvements can significantly impact safety and efficiency.
The successful replication of AkerBP’s drilling parameter calculations marks a significant milestone in MudSim’s development. These positive results confirm MudSim’s potential to become a reliable tool for optimizing drilling operations. As we continue to refine the software, we aim to further enhance its capabilities to meet the complex demands of modern drilling operations.
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bilde_v2-scaled.jpg12522560Leif Arne Bastesenhttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgLeif Arne Bastesen2024-08-26 08:03:382024-08-26 09:13:58MudSim Achieves Milestone in Calculations for AkerBP
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_1238.jpeg15362048Yngve Bastesenhttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgYngve Bastesen2024-06-23 12:45:272024-06-23 20:13:17Networking in Green Offshore Tech
Approval of IPN project from the Research Council of Norway
We are thrilled to announce that MudSim has embarked on a transformative 2.5-year R&D project, generously supported by the Norwegian Research Council. This endeavor is driven by our unwavering commitment to push the boundaries of digitization and harness the cutting-edge advancements emerging from the forefront of research and technology.
Our project aims to reduce non-productive time and emissions by 5% while aligning drilling practices with industry standards. To achieve these objectives, we’re developing an integrated simulation tool that optimizes drilling planning and operations by leveraging common parameters to identify the most efficient drilling fluids for each planned well, promoting efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Stay connected with MudSim on LinkedIn to follow our journey of innovation and progress.
In this project, MudSim will develop innovative software tools to select optimal and more environmental friendly drilling fluid for drilling of exploration-, production-, P&A-, and geothermal wells. This project will introduce a new drill planning process that focus on both traditional drilling factors (such as pressure drop, viscosity, drilling speed, hole cleaning efficiency, density, etc.) but also environmental factors.
This project represents a significant step forward for selection of drilling fluid with lower CO2 footprint in drilling operations.
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GOT-logo-redigert-2.jpg350238Jan Lundehttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgJan Lunde2023-05-31 22:40:422024-02-09 15:19:17MudSim AS, a provider of software for drilling fluid optimization, has received funding from the Green Offshore Tech program and EU to develop solutions for sustainable drilling operations.
Many, and sometimes confusing, requirements for drilling operations makes it complicated to map environmental consequences for different types of drilling fluid.
MUDSIM-ECO, a cloud-based planning and simulation tool, provide the industry with documentation of the drilling mud’s effect on the environment, and relates environment effects to other important drilling properties. MudSim-Eco is well suited for companies that work with sustainability and the environment that want to:
Estimate waste, cuttings and waste water
Estimate waste from lost circulation
Circular Economy; Reuse of drilling fluid
Calculate carbon footprint
Simplify application and reporting to authorities
Carry out and document impact assessments in accordance with government requirements for continuous development of more environmentally friendly drilling fluids.
MUDSIM-ECO simulates the consequences for different drilling fluids, compare them and report how the various drilling fluids impact important drilling mud decision parameters, such as:
Environmental effect from the drilling fluid
Equivalent Circular Density (ECD)
Hole cleaning
Rate of penetration (ROP)
Drilling fluid consumption
Handling of cuttings
Lost circulation
Hole stability
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/mudsim-software.png723665Jan Lundehttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgJan Lunde2021-07-12 13:59:002021-10-22 12:06:49MUDSIM-ECO – Simulation of drilling fluid’s impact on the environment in drilling operations
MUDSIM, a new ground breaking software for streamlining drilling fluid design in a cloud-based system, provides a positive environmental impact and at the same time reduce likelihood of unexpected incidents during drilling. Positive response from the oil industry.
The newly developed fluid simulation software MUDSIM reduces environmental footprint in drilling operations. The first version of the product, MUDSIM, will be ready in Q3 2021, and provide the industry with a tool that documents the importance and effect on the environment compared to other important properties. A tool that plans, compares, and shows context and consequences for:
Environmental effect from the drilling fluid
Equivalent Circular Density (ECD)
Hole cleaning
Rate of penetration (ROP)
Drilling fluid consumption
Handling of cuttings
Lost circulation
Hole stability
The idea behind the MUDSIM solution is to utilize previous experience data from the use of drilling fluids in similar well formations, and assess and collect various properties in one single SaaS software. This allows efficient collection of data for selecting optimal drilling fluid, by avoiding export of data from multiple systems. MUDSIM will assess properties from the drilling fluid and document the use of various chemicals.
MUDSIM allows you to select drilling fluids that reduce emissions and the associated environmental impact. This is especially important in areas with vulnerable benthic fauna and other conditions that require great care for the environment.
MUDSIM helps operators and oil companies to make an overall assessment that provide more environmentally friendly choices. A SaaS solution that raises the environmental consequences and documents the choice of more environmentally friendly drilling fluids, and thus will be an important tool for companies that work with sustainability and care for the environment.
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Framside-presentasjon.jpg5811068Jan Lundehttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgJan Lunde2021-06-10 13:49:002021-10-12 13:54:23New software for planning and simulation of oil & gas drilling gives more environmental friendly drilling mud
MUDSIM software shortens drilling fluid design time by using experience data from a cloud-based system. At the sime time also reducing the environmental impact and risk for downtime and surprises when drilling.
MUDSIM improves interaction and increases efficiency in a newly developed process for selecting the optimal and most environmentally friendly drilling fluid. It does so by utilizing historical data from fluids in equivalent drilling formations, combining it with collection, consideration and calculation of various fluid properties. This makes it possible to collect data and calculate without exporting data between various systems. Combining several engineer calculations in one software tool will simplify assessment of drilling fluid properties, impacting such as:
Environmental impact
Equivalent Circular Density (ECD)
Hole cleaning efficiency
Rate of penetration (ROP)
Drilling fluid consumption
Waste handling
Lost circulation
Hole stability
The result is a significantly improved working process for planning of drilling fluid design. Moreover, it will improve communication between fluid suppliers and all involved disciplines at the field operator.
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/simulation.png700722Jan Lundehttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgJan Lunde2021-04-12 13:43:002021-10-14 14:00:37Design of drilling fluid in less than 40 hours