SPE Drilling Engineering · 1992 · 49 citations · 5 references
EngineeringEarth SciencesPetroleum EngineeringDrillingDrilling EngineeringSubsurface Fluid FlowDrilling FluidsDrilling HydraulicsDrilling OperationsGas Hydrate ReservoirsHydrate FormationRock-fluid InteractionsClay ChemistryEquilibrium ConditionsHydrate Formation ConditionsHydrate Formation ModelingHydrate Formation PreventionThermodynamic EnvironmentThermodynamic FeedbacksWater-based Drilling Fluids
Summary A series of thermodynamic experiments were run on 16 simulated drilling muds and associated test fluids to improve the understanding of the equilibrium conditions for hydrate formation in water-based drilling fluids. Results indicated that, to a first approximation, the salt and glycerol contents of water in mud dominated hydrate formation. Other mud additives, such as bentonite, barite, and polymers, collectively promoted hydrate formation to a lesser degree.
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