Fluids Technology

Baker Hughes Drilling Fluids has provided products and services on approximately 300 geothermal wells throughout the world. The PYRO-DRILL™ fluid , introduced in the late 1970′s was the first, high temperature polymer system used for geothermal drilling.

Routinely, water base mud systems are converted to the PYRO-DRILL geothermal mud system when temperatures exceed 300°F (150°C). The PYRO-DRILL system requires minimal product concentrations because of the temperature stability and contamination resistance of the PYRO-DRILL products.

PYRO–DRILL can be used as a geothermal Drill-In fluid. PYRO-DRILL drilling fluids have been used to drill geothermal reservoirs without damage, even when severe lost circulation has occurred. Aerated PYRO-DRILL fluids have also been employed to combat lost circulation.

PYRO-DRILL^™ Drilling Fluid System
PYRO-DRILL is a proprietary water based drilling fluid system designed for high temperature and hostile environments where conventional drilling fluids are impractical or uneconomical. The high performance components of the system have been used in geothermal wells experiencing bottom hole temperature greater than 600°F, as well as in weighted, freshwater or saltwater drilling fluids with temperatures approaching 500°F. The system has also been successfully applied in weighted, saturated saltwater, high hardness environments containing in excess of 30,000 mg/l Ca++ and Mg++. The PYRO-DRILL system can be composed of any combination of the products shown in Table I. The PYRO-DRILL products are generally pre-planned to take over when conventional additives have reached their technical limit.

PYRO-DRILL EXPERIENCE

• Evolution has been ongoing since the 1970’s
• Mud weights -
  • 9.0-19.5 lb/gal ( 1.07-2.34 g/cc) MIL-BAR
  • 19.5-22.5 (2.34-2.69 g/cc) lb/gal Hematite
• Depth-29,900 feet
• Maximum bottom hole temperatures
  • 450°F (230°C) oil and gas
  • 460°F(238°C) scientific
  • 650°F (340°C) geothermal
• Successfully handled contamination such as calcium chloride water flows, carbonates, salt, and H₂S.
• High salt PYRO-DRILL systems have been employed on Deepwater wells for gas hydrate inhibition and thermal stability
• PYRO-DRILL has been used on remote exploratory wells throughout the world

Advantages

• Thermal Stability – Second to none. Utilized on wells with BHT′s above 600°F.

• Shale Stability – BHI′s 600°F extension of PHPA systems.

• Flexibility – Significantly extends conventional systems beyond their normal limits.

• Environmentally Acceptable – Approved and utilized in sensitive areas.

• Non-Damaging – PYRO-DRILL systems are designed specifically for the intended reservoir.

• Economics – Developed for hostile environments, PYRO-DRILL reduces product additions and improves drilling efficiency.

• Corrosion – PYRO-DRILL systems impart corrosion protection.

• Lubricity – PYRO-DRILL systems provide polymer-enhanced lubricity in high temperature, hostile environments.