Drilling Gilsonite – Fluid Loss Control (FLC)

How Gilsonite Helps with Fluid Loss Control (FLC) in Drilling

Gilsonite is a key player in drilling fluid loss control (FLC) and oil well cementing. It’s used in oil-based drilling muds, especially when working with challenging geological formations like shale. By adding Gilsonite to water-based drilling fluids, it helps stabilize the shale, seal off permeable sands, and reduce hole washout. This also leads to less torque and drag during drilling, making the process smoother and more efficient.

Gilsonite’s Role in Oil Well Cementing

When it comes to oil well cementing, Gilsonite has several benefits. It helps reduce slurry weight without sacrificing compressive strength. It also acts as a strong bridging and plugging agent, which is essential for sealing fractures in weaker formations during cementing. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the wellbore throughout the drilling process.

Why Drilling Fluid Circulation is Essential

For drilling to be successful, maintaining fluid circulation is critical. The drilling fluid, or “mud,” is stored in large pits or tanks at the surface. From there, it gets pumped into the borehole through the drill pipe and bit, all the way to the bottom. As the fluid circulates, it brings the drill cuttings back to the surface. But it does more than that: it also cools and lubricates the drill bit, allowing for deeper and more efficient drilling.

Challenges with Traditional Drilling Fluids

Traditional drilling fluids are usually made from materials like bentonite or organic substances such as cane fiber and sawdust. But these materials can cause problems. For example, organic solids tend to sink because they have a higher specific gravity, making them difficult to keep suspended in the fluid. Other materials, like expanded perlite, can become compressed in the borehole, causing their specific gravity to increase. Many of these substances also lack adhesive power, and they can clog or seal off oil or gas zones, leading to costly production losses.

Why Gilsonite Stands Out for Fluid Loss Control

Gilsonite is unique because of its excellent bonding and plugging properties. It forms a strong physical and chemical bond with permeable formations, creating an effective seal that prevents drilling fluid from escaping. As both a malleable and solid plugging agent, Gilsonite controls fluid loss, prevents seepage, and protects reactive and low-reactive shale surfaces, even in high-temperature conditions down the hole.

Cost Savings and Efficiency with Gilsonite

Given the pressure in the industry to reduce costs, many service companies now use Gilsonite as a high-quality, multi-purpose additive. This not only simplifies the number of additives needed but also reduces costs by more than 80%. Thanks to its unique chemical properties, Gilsonite improves wellbore stability, seals micro-fractures, and bonds with various types of formations, leading to more efficient and cost-effective drilling operations.