The flow dependent gelation properties of Mixed Metal Oxide/Hydroxide mud systems make them extremely suited for addressing Loss/Instability issues when required to drill across multiple formations and/or the low pore pressure makes preventing bore hole collapse an operational nightmare.

Our MetalPLex system has been applied with astonishing results in combatting the above challenges. A few notable accomplishments are as follows:

1. A major operator was able to drill a subsea completion well hitherto considered one of the most challenging types of wells, with acceptable losses. The pore pressure encountered was 5.6 – 6.0 ppg whereas wellbore stability required 9.6 – 9.8 ppg mud. The well was successfully drilled with ~9.8 ppg mud, without encountering losses. The system was used to drill the pay zone and a production rate of ~ 170,000/- M³ of gas/day evidenced the fact that there was little to no formation damage during drilling.
2. A major operator has drilled several wells covering multiple formations with varied pore pressures, in a single section. The formations included fractured shale and limestones. Some of the zones encountered were pay zones which after prolonged production have become sub-hydrostatic. These zones have a pore pressure of 5.0 – 6.0 ppg, the intermediate section has a pore pressure of ~ 9.0 ppg, and the target zone has a pore pressure of ~ 8.3 ppg. All these formations were drilled as a single section of 300-400m with mud weights ~ 10.2 ppg successfully, with acceptable mud losses and no hole collapse issues. Offset wells of similar construction routinely experience mud losses to the tune of 110,000/- bbls in this section.