Operator Utilizes Star Shield® Technology To Stabilize The Wellbore, Eliminate Losses, Easily Meet Drilling Challenges, And Enhance Well Productivity

An operator in South Australia was exploring options to economically drill the heavily underbalanced and depleted reservoirs in the Patchawarra Formation. Traditionally these would be done with MPD which would require expensive surface equipment, thus making the wells sub-economical. Ideally, the wells could be drilled conventionally with a low-density, low-cost water-based drilling fluid system. 

The objective was to design a drilling fluid that would significantly reduce the wellbore skin, so that connectivity to the reservoir was not hindered. However, the fluid system would also need to be non-invasive by creating an instant barrier to stop fluid invasion from flushing away any hydrocarbons near the wellbore, thus preserving producibility. Furthermore, any barrier at the formation wall would need to be easily and completely removable to allow production during the completion phase in the low-energy wells. 

Impact Fluid Solutions recommended the addition of 8-lb/bbl Star Shield® wellbore shielding material in the 6¾-in. production section. The product can be added to the existing drilling fluid system directly or bled over from a premix, greatly enhancing the fluid loss characteristics of the fluid.