Researchers have developed a new water-based drilling fluid for use in high-pressure, high-temperature (HP/HT) wells. The fluid, which is made of water and other chemicals, can be used to drill through rocks at high pressure without the need for expensive hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. In tests, a high-temperature resistant filtrate reducer was introduced along with different formulations of a hydrate inhibitor, and was found to perform steadily in the HP/HT well conditions.
Researchers have developed a new water-based drilling fluid for use in high-pressure, high-temperature (HP/HT) wells. Scientists working for the China National Offshore Oil Corporation faced the challenge of developing a fluid that would be effective in the deepwater wells of the Lingshui gas field in the western South China Sea, where the temperature can reach 167°C and the maximum pressure coefficient reaches 2.01. In tests, a high-temperature resistant filtrate reducer was introduced along with different formulations of a hydrate inhibitor, and was found to perform steadily in the HP/HT well conditions.