Publication Name: The Cooper & Eromanga Basins Australia
Authors: Tun H. Aung
Date Published: June 1989
Number of Pages: 23
Reference Type: Book Section
Abstract:
Since the first commercial hydrocarbon discovery in the Cooper Basm m December 1963, a variety of drilling fluidsystems have been used. The most economically viable are the three systems currently in operation, namely gellignosulfonate, salt-polymer and potassium chloridepolymer fluids.
Modifications and improvements have been gradually introduced over the years with regards to the basic mud
composition, and recently polyacrylamides have been incorporated into the salt and potassium chloride-polymer systems. Notable changes in practices have also occurred with fluids for fast drilling below the surface casing, which have changed from a basic water-native solids type of muddy flutd, to flocculated clear water and clear brine systems. The modifications and changes have been introduced to unprove penetration rates, for enhanced bore hole stability, less problems with down hole operations, to reduce formation damage, for better log qualities and to prolong bit life.