Work

Ultra-High-Temperature Oil-Based Drilling and Completion Fluids: Design and Application Under Harsh Conditions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The western region of the Tarim Basin is a typical deep and ultra-deep oil and gas reservoir with complex geological conditions in China. This area includes a thick salt–gypsum layer, high-pressure brine layers, and other formations with high pressures and a complex pressure system. These geological features present challenges such as a high risk of drilling fluid contamination by formation fluids, the deep burial of subsalt reservoirs, high temperatures, and difficulty in designing drilling fluids. In this paper, by systematically screening and optimizing key additives, a diesel oil-based drilling and completion fluid system resistant to 220 °C ultra-high temperatures with a density of 2.60 g/cm3 was developed. The overall performance was evaluated. Utilizing an independently developed high-temperature emulsifier (BZ-PSE), an organically modified lithium silicate viscosity modifier (BZ-CHT), and compounded fluid loss reducers (BZ-OLG/BZ-OSL), the system maintained excellent rheological stability (yield point > 4.3 Pa) and filtration control capacity (HTHP fluid loss < 4.8 mL) even after aging at 220 °C. The system demonstrated a resistance to contamination by 30–50% composite brines, 15% salt–gypsum cuttings, and 10% cement, proving its capability to effectively handle extremely thick mud shale, salt–gypsum layers, and high-pressure brine. Field tests were conducted in wells GL 3C, DB X, Boz 13X, and Boz 3X. The results indicated that the high-temperature, high-density diesel oil-based drilling fluids and completion fluids can effectively address the technical challenges posed by wellbore instability in thick salt–gypsum layers, high-pressure brine invasion, and performance degradation under ultra-high temperature conditions, providing reliable technical support for the safe and efficient drilling of similar complex formations.

Source: Processes

DOI: 10.3390/pr14040655