Lubricants and Drag Reducers for Oilfield Applications - Chemistry, Performance, and Environmental Impact

摘要

Lubricants are often added to drilling, completion and workover fluids to reduce the coefficient of friction between tubular equipments or tubular and wellbore wall. For coiled tubing (CT) operations, however, drag reducers are added to the fluids to reduce or minimize the pressure loss caused by high pumping rates. From the perspective of molecular structure and chemical properties, this paper illustrates the differences between lubricants and hydraulic drag/friction reducers. The subject matter will be illustrated using a newly developed phospho-lipid derived and modified ethoxylated castor oil-based chemistry as very effective and environmentally acceptable lubricants for clear brines and drilling fluid applications. Also included are drag reducers derived from high-molecular-weight sulphonated polyacrylamide polymer that effectively reduce the hydraulic friction of completion fluids including both low and high density monovalent and divalent brines. The paper will also include the chemistry and performance of several other newly developed environmentally safe lubricants and synthetic drag reducers for applications in various wellbore fluids.