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Drilling Problem Bit Balling in Surface Hole: Sonatrach - Hassi Messaoud

The document discusses bit balling issues encountered while drilling a 26-inch surface hole in Hassi Messaoud, Algeria. Bit balling occurs in sticky shale formations due to cuttings aggregating and sticking to the drill bit surface. This causes a slow rate of penetration, increased risk of getting stuck, and higher overall well costs. Preventive actions include decreasing mud weight, adding drilling detergents and controlling fluid loss. If bit balling occurs, responsive actions include pumping dispersing freshwater pills followed by nut plug flushing pills to erode clay. Inhibitive KCl/glycol pills using amine inhibitors can also help reduce accretion on metal surfaces.

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524 views

Drilling Problem Bit Balling in Surface Hole: Sonatrach - Hassi Messaoud

The document discusses bit balling issues encountered while drilling a 26-inch surface hole in Hassi Messaoud, Algeria. Bit balling occurs in sticky shale formations due to cuttings aggregating and sticking to the drill bit surface. This causes a slow rate of penetration, increased risk of getting stuck, and higher overall well costs. Preventive actions include decreasing mud weight, adding drilling detergents and controlling fluid loss. If bit balling occurs, responsive actions include pumping dispersing freshwater pills followed by nut plug flushing pills to erode clay. Inhibitive KCl/glycol pills using amine inhibitors can also help reduce accretion on metal surfaces.

Uploaded by

Slim.B
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Drilling Problem

Bit Balling In
Surface Hole

Sonatrach – Hassi Messaoud


Cause
Soft and sticky Shale
Presented while drilling

Clay Plasticity / Stickiness (A.U.)


Dry Zone Plastic Zone Liquid Zone
26” hole Shale plastic & sticky
Bit balling zone Shale too
dispersed to

Bit Balling occurs due to Shale too dry


stick to bit.
Washes off
to stick to bit.
cuttings aggregating
the bit. No bit
No bit-balling balling

Hydration Hydration
around or sticking to the
De-hydration De-hydration
bit surface. Water Content (A.U.)
Disadvantage

• Slow ROP
• Tendency to get mechanically stuck
• Increase overall well cost
Preventive Actions
As a preventive action prior entering the
problematic formation:
• Decrease the whole mud volume MBT
• Add 1-2% by volume Drilling detergent
• Control the filtrate below 15 cc’s/30min
Addition of 3-5% by volume Diesel is a good
practice.
The above procedure was successful in Hassi Rmel
field.
How to respond if it happened
Anti Bit Balling Pills

Dispersing freshwater pill

This pill should be followed by Nut-plug flushing pill to


physically erode the clay sticking.

Inhibitive KCL/Glycol pill

As Amine inhibitor were found to have lower accretion


(possibility for cuttings to accumulate on metal surface).
Dispersing freshwater pill

• Composition of freshwater pill:


• Freshwater Base fluid
• Caustic Soda4-6 kg/ m3
• Spercene CF12kg/m3
• Duovis2-3kg/m3
• Barite As required
Inhibitive KCl/glycol pill

• Composition of pill:
• KCl Brine 250kg/m3
• Glydril MC (Glycol) 250ltr/m3
Thanks for your attendance

Questions?

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