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I want to ask that when we drilling shale formation,how much percentage of KCL and NACL should be to have for best performance in a fluid with a weight of. ppg that should be saturated
Dear Ramzi, first of all, I would like to mention that you are confusing two mud systems in your question.
- The 1st one is Saturated saltwater mud system, and
- The 2nd one is Inhibitive Potassium mud system.
We do not use the Saturated saltwater mud system in order to drill shale formations, we use Inhibitive Potassium mud system instead. Because it is very difficult to build a saturated KCL mud with desirable flow properties and filtration control characteristics.
All of our colleagues have already provided their answers below on what the Salt saturated mud is. 100% agree with all replies. So, I would like to cover the 2nd part of your question regarding KCL % for best performance.
Older shale formations normally require just 10-15 ppb KCL (which is 3.5-5.0% by weight), but younger shale formations may require 30-50 ppb (8.5-15.0% by weight).
During drilling operations, I would recommend you to monitor shale cuttings for inhibition. Sufficient KCL concentration will keep the cuttings integrity, while insufficient concentration will result in soft and mushy shale cuttings.
One last thing to mention, some countries have strict environmental regulations on potassium level in mud system for offshore application, in the US the Potassium level should be maintained below 5%.
Salt saturated mud is WB saturated with salt to prevent formation salt from being soluble in mud or prevent mud absorption of salt.
A water mud containing varying amounts of dissolved sodium chloride, NaCl, as a major component. ... The primary use of saltwater mud is to drill salt strata that are prone to dissolution when exposed to other types of drilling fluid. A saturated salt mud is used to drill salt to prevent hole enlargement
Saturated salt water mud means water based mud with high concentration of salt in the water. It contained a lot of chloride content until it reaches the saturated state and it has a dissolved salt more than 50,000 mg of salt per liter.
A water mud containing varying amounts of dissolved sodium chloride, NaCl
I don not excatly know what is KCL or NACL, but if we are tolken about ыpecific gravity of a mud. It must be about 1200 - 1250 kg/cubic meter
IT"S WATER BASE MUD USEDTO DRILL SALT FORMATION
Saturated Salt Water Mud means water based mud with high concentration of salt in the water and it contained a lot of chloride content.
The drilling fluid can not dissolve any more salt so that help to penetrate the salt formation.
Salt saturated mud is a water base mud with high consentration of salt (Nacl,KCL,CABR2...Etc), using usaully while drill out satly formation such as salt domes to reduce the salt dissolving effect.
Salt saturated water based mud is a type of water based mus saturated with salt wich is used to prevent clay swalliing when drilling through water reactive shale
