Gilsonite usage in drilling fluid is as high-temperature, high-pressure filtration control additives in drilling mud. This mineral can be used in all oil based mud and all temperatures. Also, mixed Gilsonite is used effectively in water-based mud systems.
Gilsonite powder reduce API and HPHT fluid loss in all oil-base muds. It has the ability to stabilize drilling mud and thus prevent erosion of pit. It helps improve the overall emulsion stability, Thermal stability and suspension characteristics of most oil-base formulations. Gilsonite also increase viscosity, especially at lower temperatures due to its partial solubility and reduces torque and drag.
Mud with Gilsonite creates a narrow and strong wall inside the wells. It is also used to control lost circulation in drilling formations.
Specification of using Gilsonite in drilling
Normal concentration of Gilsonite range from 2 to 8 lb/bbl (5.7 to 23 kg/m3), with occasional daily additions in the 0.25 to 0.5 lb/bbl (0.71 to 1.43 kg/m3). High-temperature situation and special applications require higher concentrations, as much as 10 lb/bbl (29 kg/m3).
When used in initial formation, it is recommended to add Gilsonite last. For existing systems, the product can be added at any time, mixed slowly during at least one complete circulation. Monitor solids control equipment for several circulations to ensure product is not discarded.
Gilsonite powder used in drilling mud have particle size of 45-75 µ, ash content 5-10%, softening point of 185-220ºC and specific gravity between 1.4 to 1.06.
Application of Gilsonite in lost fluid circulation
Another application of Gilsonite is as an additive for controlling and preventing waste of drilling fluids, which is called lost circulation control. To elaborate more, During drilling operation, if areas in the well are loose or lose their resistance due to pressure and circulation, fluid enters that area. The larger the area or the less strength in the walls, the more fluid is lost. Even this can cause the well to collapse and stop the process. In this situation Gilsonite, by forming a thin layer can strengthens the well and prevents drilling fluids from escaping.
When Gilsonite is used as drilling mud additive, it melts after entering the well by absorbing underground heat. Melted Gilsonite has lubrication features also heat absorption can reduce the temperature of drilling bit. Gilsonite lubrication capability prevents drilling bit from being trapped due to the accumulation of materials and sediments in the well.
Related Article: Gilsonite in Paints, Inks, Coatings & Stains
Application of Gilsonite in Oil Industry
Gilsonite is used in cementing wells in oil industry. It is also used to to move drilling debris to ground surface by the rotation of the drill and the rotational motion created in the particles.
Adding Gilsonite to drilling mud cubase pro 9 rar has many benefits, including reducing the composition of the mud and increasing the strength of the well. This material shows high resistance to dissolution with oil and prevents pellets or agglomerates of rocky soil compounds. Gilsonite polishes the surfaces of drilling wells by removing excess mud.
Advantages of using Gilsonite in drilling industry
The use of Gilsonite in the drilling industry has the following advantages:
The resulting mixture has a low density without adding a large volume of water
This material is compatible with other additives and is resistant to acidic, alkaline and corrosive substances
Wide range of temperature (high softening point between 175 to 235 °C)
It resists moderate pressures due to dehydration, but is soft enough to deform under pressure
It does not clump due to pressure
It is resistant to dissolution in oil
it causes the seams and cracks of the wells to close during cementing the walls
Prevent damage to drill bits
Polishing the surfaces of drilling wells and removing excess drilling mud
Reduces the weight of drilling fluid
Use of hydrophilic Gilsonite nanoparticles in drilling mud
Recent developments in nanofluids show that the addition of nanoparticles to water-based drilling mud can solve many drilling problems, including instability, lost circulation, torque and tension, drill string, shale swelling, and reduction of drilling speed. In this section, hydrophilic Gilsonite nanoparticles are produced from the reaction of natural Gilsonite with a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. The properties of hydrophilic Gilsonite are different from the properties of natural Gilsonite. Examination of the rheological properties of drilling mud with these nanoparticles shows that the addition of 10 gr of hydrophilic Gilsonite (in 350 ml drilling mud) to the base mud and reducing the starch concentration to half the initial amount, leads to the best combination for water-based drilling mud efficiency.
After hot roll process, the plastic viscosity (PV) is improved and the yield point (YP) is significantly maintained. Also in mud containing hydrophilic Gilsonite nanoparticles, drilling mud drop under standard conditions and thickness of mud cake in high temperature-high pressure conditions after hot roll process is reduced. In addition, after the hot roller, the amount of lubrication and the percentage of torque are reduced.
Experimental results show that hydrophilic Gilsonite nanoparticles as a low cost, non-toxic and effective additive have good potential in improving the performance of water-based drilling fluid at high temperatures.
Sama Karimi is chemical engineer, drilling fluids specialist and product manager. She’s is involved in technical aspect of chemical export project at TEAM. Her effective communication skills made her to be our contact person for many reigns.
She is chemical engineer, and drilling fluids specialist at TEAM. Before that she was a drilling fluid engineer for 3 years. In this role, she was responsible to work on new type of drilling fluids additives and specialty chemicals along with managing a team of two drilling fluids production expert. Her efforts and success in this role helped to reduce waste and general costs of mud production projects.
She is graduated from Farzangan High School and entered the chemical field at Iran University of Sciences and Technology.
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Lost circulation is an occurrence in Formation when drilling fluids is lost into cracks during drilling or cementing operations. Lost circulation in drilling is always examined in two parts: prevention and remedial of loss. Prevention is to take all measures to prevent loss during drilling. This stage is usually done by technically examining the condition of the earth’s layers (geology) and recognizing the geographical area. Lost circulation treatment is also done by using additives appropriate to the structure of the earth’s layers and depending on the geological conditions, different materials and additives are used.
Preventing and controlling lost circulation reduces costs, reduces drilling time and facilitates the drilling process.
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The applications of Gilsonite in ink, asphalt black colors, polished oils, anti-corrosion coating, cover cars to deal with UV rays, wood Stains is examined in the following.
The purpose of using Gilsonite in cementing oil wells is mainly to lighten the slurry and increase its volume. Gilsonite is a solid hydrocarbon that belongs to the category of asphalts. The type of this mineral used in cementing wells has fine and coarse black grains. Gilsonite used in cementing oil wells is a mixture of fine and coarse black grains. This mixture should be such that it does not block the grout channels and at the same time, it should not be too small that it cannot fill the seams and gaps of the formations. Gilsonite grain size is in range of 200-325Mesh, because these grains have low shear strength, they break under high pressure.