Improved Penetration Rates Are Observed In New Drilling Mud Development

This paper describes experiences with a new water-base drilling mud system that has been utilized in diverse geographic locations, formation lithologies, and environments such as temperature, density, salinity and total hardness. In addition to providing versatility in wide-ranging conditions, the original goals of the development were to create an easy-to-engineer mud system that would produce good hole stability and improve rates of penetration with the use of either conventional or polycrystalline diamond composition (PDC) bits. Background of the technical development of the system will be presented, and case histories from wells where the system has been applied will be documented. It has been observed in the field that this new drilling fluid has achieved the desired increased rates of penetration with both conventional and PDC bits. This has been accomplished while maintaining good hole stability and fluid properties in even harsh chemical and thermal environments. The system's enhanced performance features and explanations for them are discussed.