The drilling fluid has to be HT-resistant and must prevent overflow and wellbore instability, as well as increase the safe drilling-fluid window. 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 range exceeds 200 . In tests , a high - temperature resistant filtrate reducer was introduced along with different combinations of a water 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 range exceeds 200 . In tests , a high - temperature resistant filtrate reducer was introduced along with different combinations of a water inhibitor , and was found to perform steadily in the HP / HT well conditions .