Design and Utilization of Low Solids OBM for Aasgard Reservoir Drilling and Completion

Abstract This paper describes the development of a low-solids mineral oil-based fluid and its successful application as a drill-in and completion fluid in a multilateral (MLT) well on Statoil's Aasgard field, off Mid-Norway. The introduction of highly complex technology, such as multilateral well design with long horizontal reservoir sections, demands a strong focus on the drilling fluid characteristics. Recent field experience showed that conventional oil-based mud (OBM) systems had limitations, when used in a demanding downhole environment influenced by elevated temperatures and ambitious drilling and completion objectives. This resulted in lower than expected drilling efficiency and well productivity. Accordingly, a development program was instituted to qualify a new high-temperature OBM that possessed reduced formation damage potential and superior bridging characteristics while remaining thermally stable. The candidate fluids investigated were OBM of three different types: 1) standard OBM with a mineral base oil, 2) OBM with a linear paraffinic base oil and 3) a low-solids (LS) OBM. The latter was based on an emulsion with a heavy calcium bromide brine as the internal phase and a mineral base oil as the external phase. Bridging materials and organoclay for viscosity were added as the only solids materials. The results of the qualification programme showed that the LS OBM exhibited superior sag stability and much higher return permeability values as compared to the two other oil-based alternatives. The field application of the fluid was very successful. And the Aasgard subsurface team managed to drill and complete a total well path length of about 4900 m. The well was drilled and completed 37 days ahead of plan and produces with a productivity index as expected.