Pressure gradients naturally genders fluid loss through the walls from the drilling mud as drilling processes, subsequently developing into borehole collapse and drilling-related accidents. Thus, filtrate reducer plays a significant role in maintaining relatively low fluid loss, one of the essential properties of the mud.

Pressure gradients naturally genders fluids loss through the walls from the drilling mud as drilling processes. Excessive fluid loss can impact many aspects of drilling operations:

1. Shale formation can expand and collapse and the wall be less stabilized.

2. Fluid penetration can expand the clay, blocking the oil and gas channel and damaging the formation.
 

3. Larger fluid loss thickens the filter cake, narrows the borehole diameter, increases the torque of drilling rig, hinders “going in”, weakens cementing quality, etc.

The above can subsequently develop into borehole collapse and drilling-related accidents.

I. It works as a protective colloid. Filter cake of low permeability involves proper size distribution of clay particle diameter and more fine particle content in drilling mud. Then,

1. Filtrate reducer can form an adsorbed layer covering the clay particle and stop it from flocculation.

2. Filtrate reducer can stabilize the particles agitated in circulating system and prevent formation of bigger particles. Thus, larger proportion of fine particles will produce finer filter cakes.

II. It increases fluid density and shrinks fluid loss. Generally, fluid loss is reversely proportional to fluid viscosity to the power of 0.5. Organic filtrate reducer can bring the viscosity up and fluid loss down.

III. It deepens the hydration of bentonite particles in drilling mud. In this way, it can lower the fluid loss. When it attaches itself on the clay particles, they are more hydrated and their hydrated shell thickened. Besides, the filter cake thereof is more prone to deformation at high pressure and thus made less permeable.

IV. Its molecules are able to block the holes. Organic high-molecule filtrate reducer, smaller than colloidal particles, can, on one hand, well fit molecular chains into filter cake’s cracks, and on the other hand, block micro holes with curled long molecular chains, creating thin and fine cake to reduce the loss.

About KOSUN

Established in 1992, KOSUN is the professional manufacturer of solids control system in China. KOSUN is a vital part of the world hydrocarbon exploration and production industry, as well as one of top three solids control equipment suppliers in China, which offers its products for CNPC, CNOOC, HH, Gazprom, RG, etc.

KOSUN is the forerunner of solids control equipment, which is specialized in drilling mud decanter centrifuge, drilling fluids shale shaker, desander, desilter, mud cleaner, centrifugal pump, shear pump, submersible slurry pump, mud agitator, jet mud mixer, mud gun and complete solids control system. As the professional advanced decanter centrifuge supplier, KOSUN has won high recognition and praise from domestic and abroad with science core technique and a lot of innovative patents. At present, KOSUN's business scope mainly covers China mainland, Commonwealth of Independent States, North Africa, Australia, U.S.A., etc.