Journal of Applied Sciences1812-56541812-5662Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jas.2015.808.814SuradiS. R.MamatN. S.JaafarM. Z.SulaimanW. R.W.IsmailA. R.52015155Drilling of high angle, horizontal and other more complex trajectory wells
are common strategies to economically produce hydrocarbon from the reservoirs.
During directional drilling, hole cleaning is a vital aspect which needs to
be monitored and controlled. For this purpose, foam-based mud using the Under
Balanced Drilling technique (UBD) is employed to obtain a better cutting transport.
Solid particle is one of the lubricating agents that is widely used in water-based
mud. Previous studies have shown that microbeads could significantly reduce
the friction in water-based mud. However, the application of polymer beads in
foam-based mud is yet to be proven. Similar to the improvement in the water-based
mud, it is expected that polymer beads such as Styrene Methacrylate could enhance
the rheological properties of the foam-based mud. The polymer beads might significantly
reduced the torque and drag by reducing the coefficient of friction of the foam-based
mud. Polymeric particles could act as the foam or emulsion stabilizer which
improved the stability of the foam. The half-life of the bubbles could be extended
due to the addition of polymers. The fine sizes of the polymer beads were enhanced
the stability of bubbles. Theoretically, the gas phase in the foam drilling
mud was pulled the cuttings upward because of their buoyancy, thereby counteracting
the gravity force. Therefore, the more stable the bubble in the foam drilling,
the better the cuttings transportation will be. Introduction of polymer beads
in the foam-based mud improved the foam stability. Reduction of the torque and
drag force improved the carrying capacity of the cuttings in directional drilling.
The suitable lubricating agent can reduce the drilling operation problems such
as stuck-pipe. This will result in smooth drilling operation and great benefits
in term of economy.]]>Abdulsalam, G.A.,20102010Duan, M., S.Z. Miska, M. Yu, N.E. Takach, R.M. Ahmed and J.H. Hallman,20082008Hutchins, R.D. and M.J. Miller,200520286294Martins, A.L., A.M.F. Lourenco and C.H.M. De Sa,200116195200Nazari, T., G. Hareland and J.J. Azar,20102010Ogunrinde, J.O. and A. Dosunmu,20122012Ozbayoglu, M.E., A. Saasen, M. Sorgun and K. Svanes,20082008Peysson, Y. and B. Herzhaft,20052005Rojas, Y., S. Kakadjian, A. Aponte, R. Marquez and G. Sanchez,20012001Saasen, A. and G. Loklingholm,20022002Walker, S. and J. Li,20002000