Drilling towards decarbonization: Sustainable fluid solution for Vietnam

Embarking on a journey toward sustainable drilling practices, an operator in Vietnam faced the challenge of drilling high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) wells through a reactive formation. In pursuit of environmental excellence and emissions reduction the operator collaborates with Baker Hughes to develop a tailored drilling fluid solution. Key objectives of sustainable drilling fluid design included maintaining downhole stability, ensuring wellbore integrity, and meeting environmental regulations. A multidisciplinary team developed a tailored drilling fluid solution comprising the PERFLEX™ high-performance water-based drilling fluid system in combination with the PYRO-DRILL™ water-based drilling fluid. This paper will highlight the solution supported by additional WBM additives, exceeded expectations, enabling the operator to drill the well 14 days ahead of plan, resulting in estimated savings of $4.2 million USD. The drilling operation resulted in a reduction of emissions by 21%, contributing to the operator's sustainability targets. The successful execution of the drilling operation demonstrated the efficiency and reliability of the HPWBM fluid program, contributing to reduced operating time, lower costs, and minimal environmental impact compared to previous drilling campaigns. This case study underscores how high-performance water-based mud systems can optimize drilling operations, reduce waste, and provide an economical approach to drilling HP/HT wells in Vietnam, aligning with sustainability and carbon reduction goals.