BAKER HUGHES - Drilling Fluids Reference Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
AQUEOUS VS NON-AQUEOUS DRILLING FLUIDS
The first fluids decision to make for a deepwater operation is whether the fluid is to be aqueous or
non-aqueous. Both types of fluids have been used with a great deal of success in deepwater
operations.
Table 13 - 1
Strengths and Weakness of Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Fluids
Non-Aqueous Strength / Aqueous Weakness
Aqueous Strength / Non-Aqueous Weakness
ROP
Wellbore stability
Gas hydrate suppression
Cuttings integrity => hole cleaning
BHA – bit balling
Trip frequency
Temperature stability
Lost circulation
Environmental characteristics
Ballooning
Reservoir characterization
Gas solubility / kick detection
Cost/bbl
Infrastructure requirements
The above table compares some of the weaknesses and strengths of aqueous and non-aqueous fluids.
Each well must be looked at individually and the above components weighed to decide whether or not
to use an aqueous fluid, e.g. if kick detection is of vital importance then an aqueous fluid is best as
gas is not soluble in water and so gas kicks are more easily detected. During the decision phase one
should also look at the weaknesses and their possible solutions.
BAKER HUGHES DRILLING FLUIDS
REFERENCE MANUAL
REVISION 2006 13-4