Evaluating the effect of using micronised barite on the properties of water-based drilling fluids

Abdelmjeed Mohamed, Salaheldin Elkatatny, Mohamed Mahmoud, Reyad Shawabkeh and Abdulaziz Al-Majed
Presented at International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology 2020 25:1, 1-18
https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1504/IJOGCT.2020.108851

Abstract

Solids sag and formation damage are serious problems encountered while drilling with barite-weighted drilling fluids. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of reducing barite particle size on rheological properties, fluid stability, and filter cake removal. Barite samples with different particle sizes were prepared using sieve analysis and ball milling technique. Micronized barite (8 μm) showed a moderate stability with zeta potential measurements for a pH range greater than 8. Solubility tests showed good enhancement in barite removal as the particle size was reduced, with a difference of around 11 g/L between the largest size (75-106 μm) and the micronized size of barite. HPHT filtration test results confirmed the solubility results with 5 wt.% enhancement in filter cake removal efficiency as barite particle size was reduced to micronized size.