Drilling fluid for drilling permafrost rocks

Relevance. The article provides an overview of the problem of drilling wells for oil and gas in conditions of permafrost. When constructing wells for various purposes in conditions of permafrost rocks, special requirements are imposed on the selection of the optimal drilling fluid. Deposits in the permafrost zone have significant differences from conditions where rocks have a positive temperature. Aim. For permafrost conditions, the choice of optimal drilling technology plays an important role. The temperature of the drilling fluid during drilling should be equal to the temperature of the rocks being drilled or be slightly lower. Methods. An analysis of the types of flushing agents used for drilling permafrost has been carried out, and the main technologies used in this case have been considered. A description of the developed flushing liquid is given, and its optimal composition is determined. Results and conclusions. The objectives are solved by developing a clay-free polymer drilling fluid with antifreeze additives, which has a freezing point of minus 7°C. The paper considers the issues of reverse freezing of wells and the use of a thermal case in order to improve the thermal regulation of wells. The choice of thermal insulation equipment is outlined based on predicting temperature changes in the properties of rocks. It was shown that reverse freezing of rocks during the construction of oil and gas wells leads to leaks and collapse of casing columns, freezing of casing columns to the walls of the well, and failure of columns to reach a given design depth. The paper introduces the formula to determine the pressure, at which the stress in the casing reaches the yield point and collapse of the casing occurs. The article shows the diagram of the hydration of ions of the proposed drilling fluid with permafrost and the main causes of complications. Using the laboratory studies, the optimal composition of the drilling fluid was determined. The introduction of the proposed drilling fluid into the practice of permafrost drilling will make it possible to successfully construct oil and gas wells.