Title: Rheological studies on a novel brine-based high density completion fluid for applications in oil and gas reservoirs

Authors: Ramanand Singh; Rajiv Sharma; G. Ranga Rao

Addresses: Design and Simulation Laboratory, Petroleum Engineering Section, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, India ' Design and Simulation Laboratory, Petroleum Engineering Section, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, India ' Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras, Chennai, India

Abstract: Although, brine-based completion fluids are commonly used in the oil and gas reservoirs, options for high density completion fluids are rare. Existing solutions are either highly toxic or prohibitively expensive. We explore a novel 'high density completion fluid (HDCF)' and investigate its formulation magnesium bromide in aqueous medium. The experimental results are from different ranges of temperature (95°F to 175°F) and specific gravity of 1.47. The rheological properties (i.e., apparent viscosity, plastic viscosity and yield point) have been analysed and it demonstrates a non-Newtonian completion fluid, which follows the Bingham plastic model having low apparent viscosity, plastic viscosity and yield point; and these are favoured for industrial application. Furthermore, we analyse the HDCF for stability, solid free nature, low viscosity and low precipitation to ensure desired field application. Our results are expected to be beneficiary for early and timely oil and gas production using the completion program. [Received: September 30, 2021; Accepted: April 20, 2022]

Keywords: rheology; apparent viscosity; magnesium bromide; solid free; completion fluid; brine.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2022.126835

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2022 Vol.31 No.4, pp.424 - 439

Received: 30 Sep 2021
Accepted: 20 Apr 2022
Published online: 08 Nov 2022 *

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