Developing novel bio-nano catalyst well clean up fluid to remove formation damage induced by polymeric water-based drilling fluids

Drilling and completion fluids may cause significant formation damage in oil and gas reservoirs, directly affecting productivity. For many years, operators have applied different stimulation practices such as acidizing, oxidizers, chelating agents, and enzyme treatment to remove formation damage associated with drilling fluids filter cake. An enzyme-based biological treatment was combined with other chemicals or additives as a selective well clean-up practice to improve removing polymer content in the filter cake. However, the secondary formation damage such as deep cleaning of the invaded zone and wettability alteration remained the main concern. This paper presents the development of an innovative clean-up fluid formulation by immobilizing an enzyme and a selective nanoparticle as Bio-Nano Well Clean-Up Fluid (BNWC) in potassium chloride brine to enhance WBM filter cake removal. Several bulk experiments, including; precipitation, iodine test, and viscosity measurement, demonstrate the enzyme's optimization, the nanoparticle concentration, and base fluid brine. BNWC in potassium chloride brine showed the highest HPHT filtration rate at 200 degrees F and differential pressure of 100 psi and increased the filtration rate by more than 90 percent compared to the conventional enzyme in the same brine. Contact angle measurements confirmed wettability alteration of the carbonate rock to water-wet, and IFT measurements showed higher oil mobility potential. Finally, core flooding tests at reservoir conditions showed a 300 percent enhancement in injection rate and a 50% improvement in core permeability after damage. The immobilization of the enzyme with the nanoparticle has been developed successfully for other applications in bioremediation, farming, and other industries, but the novelty of this research demonstrates the application of nanobiocatalysts in drilling fluids for the first time. This innovative clean-up fluid enhances the enzymatic activity and removes primary and secondary formation damage associated with drilling fluid filter cake.

Automated summary

Drilling and completion fluids can create formation damage in oil and gas reservoirs, impacting productivity. Operators have used various practices like acidizing and enzyme treatments to remove damage linked to drilling fluids. A new clean-up fluid combining enzymes with nanoparticles in potassium chloride brine showed enhanced filter cake removal, increased filtration rates, and improved wettability and oil mobility potential. Core flooding tests demonstrated significantly improved injection rates and core permeability after treatment.