Formation damage and well treatement evaluation system Instruments

The elegant and robust Formation damage and well treatement evaluation system Instruments quantifies the effects of drilling fluids on the formation by tangentially circulating drilling mud on one of the flat faces of a cylindrical core sample at reservoir-representative conditions. Specifically, the versatile device can perform static filtration tests, mud invasion evaluation and stimulation tests. Furthermore, liquid can be injected through the core to determine the mud’s effects on absolute permeability.

A wide range of fluids can be studied with this apparatus, including water- and oil-based muds, cement effluents, chemical wash treatment fluids and acid-based corrosive treatment fluids. Initial permeability, return permeability, brine sensitivity, critical flow velocity, acid stimulation and mud filtrate invasion are among the key parameters monitored by this system.

Realistic drilling mud flow is achieved by virtue of a unique heated mud recirculation pump, enabling dynamic filtration tests and quantification of erosion effects induced by abrasive fluids flowing across the core face. The automated system is controlled by proprietary software that allows both manual and automatic operation. All key components can be controlled, including pumps, valves and data acquisition systems. A sequencer also permits automatic pre-programmed operating schedules. The core holder, air-operated valves, mud pump and associated plumbing are mounted inside an isothermal air bath designed for easy component access.

Maximum confining pressure :

• 700 bar (10,000 psi)

Maximum pore pressure :

• 350 bar (5,000 psi)

Maximum mud pressure :

• 350 bar (5,000 psi)

Maximum working temperature :

• 150°C

Core diameter :

• 1.5" (other sizes upon request)

Core length :

• 2" to 4" (other sizes upon request)

Mud flow rate :

• up to 3 liters/min

Material :

• Stainless steel, titanium, Hastelloy

Power supply :

• 220 VAC, 50 Hz

Air pressure requirement :

• 7 bar (100 psi)

• Drilling mud tests are performed under realistic field conditions by flowing fluids tangentially across the core face using a special leak-off core holder.
• Mud pump flow rate up to 3 l/min ensures efficient shear rate simulation representative of real operating conditions.