Well Bore Strengthening - Coal Seam Drilling

Folks,

I’m looking for worldwide experience with regards to stabilization of coal seams in high angle hole sections. The seams are deep in the well so can’t limit the thickness of coal exposed. We also need to drill with mud weights >11.0 ppg for wellbore stabilization purposes, so drilling with a lighter system to limit cleat invasion is a non-starter.

Lo-Energy drilling practises have been utilised to limit the induced damage whilst drilling through the seams and the mud has contained a broad range of WBS strengthening material in an attempt to support the coals.  Unfortunately, the mud rheology is seriously impacted with the volume of WBS material in the system– LGS & 6 RPM a lot higher than desired.

Looking for information on specialised material utilised by companies when dealing with coal seams. Am aware that some operators in SE Asia have been utilising a Well Bore Strengthening product from Impact Fluid Solutions. Are there any other products out there that people have used successfully? The end aim is to limit the impact on fluid rheology, whilst successfully stabilising the coals with mud weights in the 11.5 – 12.0ppg range.

I am aware of the papers that have previously published SPE papers

SPE 125246: Practices Implemented to Achieve Record Performance in Narrow Margin Drilling in Bass Strait Extended Reach 

SPE 128712: Utilizing an Engineered Particle Drilling Fluid to Overcome Coal Drilling Challenge

I'm looking to see if there has been any advancement in product deveopment to deal with a well known problem.

2 Answer(s)

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