Drilling mud management strategy using computer-aided life-cycle analysis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-1995

Abstract

This paper describes a computer-aided analysis of the drilling mud process for offshore drilling in Brazil by Petrobras. The analysis, which employs a numerical model and software for drilling mud life-cycle analysis (LCA), was originally developed for Conoco, Inc., as part of a fellowship investigation of environmental control technology for drilling fluids. Since then, the model has been improved and tested using field drilling data. The model quantifies the life cycle of drilling fluid used for a well. The life cycle is related to the well's drilling program and involves the sequence of operations from the fresh mud mixing, to usage, processing, storage, and final disposal of waste mud. In the model, the time-related prediction of drilling depth has been combined with calculations regarding the condition of the mud system, such as solids control, updated volumes of spent mud discharge and storage, and cumulative costs of mud mixing and disposal. The paper shows how a qualitative expert knowledge of drilling technology has been quantified in order to input data to the computer program. The analysis, presented herein, included two steps. First, drilling data from other well in the area was used to calibrate the model with regard to drilling rate and the time of non-drilling operations. Then, the simulation runs examined several options of drilling mud process for offshore wells including the closed-loop and zero-discharge operations. The model proved to be a valuable tool to evaluate mud process modification and predict environmental compliance cost.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Oil Gas European Magazine

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