Pre & post well Planning
Pre-well planning is one of the most important roles of the Drilling Fluids Specialist. In the design stage of wells he should examine offset well data to get an understanding of what problems have been experienced in the past and what solutions should be proposed for the new well. This information is then fed into the drilling fluids program and drilling program prior to the start of the well.
The drilling fluids program should include guidance for the drilling fluid engineers what to expect while drilling the well. The expected make up/formulations of the fluids to be used, and estimate of the expected chemicals required to complete the well. The program should also include recommendations of shaker screens, lost circulation material and how to use it, contamination treatment chemicals and guidance for what to do in case of stuck pipe scenarios. The program will also include a list of contingency products to be used incase of downhole or even surface problems with the solids control equipment.
The completion/abandonment fluids should also be recommended based on discussions with the drilling team. While drilling data should be gathered and plotted in real time to look for any anomalies in drilling fluid properties and other drilling parameters. Hole cleaning predictions should be made and monitored for compliance to recommended drilling parameters. In addition daily consultations should be made with the rig-site personnel for further information and direct observations.
At the end of the well all the data should be gathered together and presented in a drilling fluids end of well report. The significant portion of this report should be recommendations for future wells.