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© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

In well drilling operations, interactions between drilling fluid water-based and the well-bore present significant challenges, often escalating project costs and timelines. Particularly, fractures (both induced and natural) and permeable zones at the wellbore can result in substantial mud loss or increased filtration. Addressing these challenges, our research introduces a novel coupled numerical model designed to precisely calculate fluid losses in fractured and permeable zones. For the permeable zone, fundamental variables such as filtration velocity, filtrate concentration variations, permeability reduction, and fluid cake growth are calculated, all based on the law of continuity and convection-dispersion theory. For the fracture zone, the fluid velocity profile is determined using the momentum balance equation and both Newtonian and non-Newtonian rheology. The model was validated against laboratory data and physical models, and adapted for field applications. Our findings emphasize that factors like mud particle size, shear stress, and pressure differential are pivotal. Effectively managing these factors can significantly reduce fluid loss and mitigate formation damage caused by fluid invasion. Furthermore, the understanding gathered from studying mud behavior in both permeable and fractured zones equips drilling personnel with valuable information related to the optimal rheological properties according to field conditions. This knowledge is crucial for optimizing mud formulations and strategies, ultimately aiding in the reduction of non-productive time (NPT) associated with wellbore stability issues.

Details

Title
Numerical Simulation of Drilling Fluid-Wellbore Interactions in Permeable and Fractured Zones
Author
Vargas Silva Diego A. 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Calderón, Zuly H 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Mateus, Darwin C 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Ramírez, Gustavo E 3 

 Wellbore Stability Research Group, Petroleum Engineering School, Industrial University of Santander, Bucaramanga 680002, Colombia; [email protected] 
 ECOPETROL, Bogotá 681011, Colombia; [email protected] 
 Polymer Research Group, Chemistry Engineering School, Industrial University of Santander, Bucaramanga 680002, Colombia; [email protected] 
First page
60
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
ISSN
1300686X
e-ISSN
22978747
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3223926498
Copyright
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.