The authors examine formation-damage mechanisms caused by drilling fluids in tight reservoirs in several onshore Abu Dhabi oil fields. Three phases of compatibility corefloods were performed to identify the potential of improving hydrocarbon recovery and examine reformulated or alternate drilling muds and treatment fluids. The compatibility corefloods on tight reservoir cores, along with high-resolution quantifications and visualizations, identified damaging mechanisms and helped identify potential to improve hydrocarbon recovery and treatment-fluid options.
Introduction
The operator examined drilling-mud performance for UAE fields including Bab, Rumaitha, Qusahwira, Sahil, and Mender. Results appeared to be good in high-permeability zones but not in lower‑permeability zones.
