LGS Removal
Ground Effects successfully removed LGS in three different modes on active drill sites through the continuous removal of LGS over time, minimizing waste volumes and consistently achieving targeting densities.
The Situation
Historically during drilling operations, failure to effectively mitigate the accumulation of low gravity solids (LGS) has caused adverse effects. These effects are seen on wellbore stability, bit life, penetration rates and increased costs. Drilling operations become more at risk as drilling fluid solids degrade in particle size to the point of colloidal material that can not be removed by traditional means.
Current standard methods of solids control consist of a variety of technologies. Mechanical separation include primary shale shakers, centrifuges,
secondary drying shakers, vertical dryers or a combination thereof. These mechanical technologies are ineffective in the removal of colloidal/LGS
and often remove only higher density particles, leaving an increasing build up of LGS over time.
The Solution
Ground Effects has developed and implemented the ESC technology for the mitigation and removal of LGS in invert emulsion drilling fluids, both active and spent. The resulting fluid can efficiently and consistantly supply the treated fluid back to a targeted density or to base oil quality for resale or reuse in dilution.
The multi mode operation of the ESC can easily move between the active drill site function, or the treatment of spent mud for base oil recovery mode through
simply operator constructs.
The Results
Over a three month trial period, on multiple drilling rig sites, the ESC was applied in various modes of operation, depending on the objectives and time frame for processing. The ESC successfully and consistantly achieved targeted mud densities, improving fluid quality by decreasing LGS content to target, while minimizing waste volumes. Additionally, the ESC can achieve densities at or below 7.0ppg, near base oil quality.
The ESC can be easily be integrated into existing drilling rig's solids control system bringing a cost effective solution to this difficult problem, processing 50 barrels per hour, depending on fluid targets. For example, the ESC consistently processed 1400 barrels of SBM in 30 hours, refining 12.4ppg with 8.1% LGS down to an 11.9ppg with 3.1% LGS.
During the three month trial, side by side comparisons were made between the ESC technology and standard centrifuge, proving that the ESC technology not
only removed LGS, but the whole array of solids within the fluid, far surpassing the ability of the centrifuge.
| Mud Check Parameter | Active Drill Mud | ESC Treated Drill Mud |
|---|---|---|
| Density (ppg) | 14.0 | 12.7 |
| Water Volume (%) | 12 | 14 |
| Oil Volume (%) | 57.5 | 61 |
| Solids volume (%) | 30.5 | 25 |
| LGS % | 9.04 | 7.76 |
| HGS % | 20.13 | 16.24 |
| Average Specific Gravity | 3.6353 | 3.6152 |