ENCAPSO–The future of friction control is here
Encapsulated lubricant technology represents a new category of drilling fluid additive that has shown a great deal of promise since making its way onto the market. Encapsulated lubricant contains millions of oil-filled, micro-sized capsules (or cells) that circulate freely and inertly through a well’s fluid system until they are exposed to sufficient friction and shear, such is the case when a drillstring engages with the side of an open hole or when a drill bit comes in contact with the formation. The capsules then rupture and release oil in the area where lubrication is needed. Capsules not engaged at a point of contact circulate back to the surface for later use without affecting the chemistry of the drilling mud.
Introducing ENCAPSO™
Encapso™ is made possible by a biotechnological platform that creates cells filled with up to 80% oil. The cell walls of encapsulated lubricants are made of polysaccharide-based polymers and natural emulsifiers, keeping the product’s high-grade lubricant contained until operational conditions release the oil on-demand.
Each capsule measures between 5 and 10 μm wide in solution (significantly smaller than a human hair) and can easily pass through any fluid system’s filtration system. Furthermore, the oil in the capsules can be custom-engineered to optimise lubrication delivery for a specific play, well or downhole environment. The thickness of the capsule wall can also be customised for specific applications (thicker walls require more pressure at the point of friction to engage).
From a standpoint of both operational performance and economics, this precision approach to drilling lubrication has a number of benefits. In addition to reducing both torque and drag with a very high degree of efficiency, as well as increasing rate of penetration (ROP) and directional accuracy, encapsulated lubricants help avoid the common and often costly pitfalls associated with conventional lubricants such as stuck pipe, excessive drag, over-torque, loss of fluid rheology, dissipation and extended downtime.
Introducing ENCAPSO™-The World’s first targeted friction inhibitor
Encapso™ drilling lubricant’s unique on-demand lubricant delivery system is transforming the way operators fight friction—resulting in superior drilling efficiency and economics.
Increasingly complex projects demand a lubricant that keeps pace with the latest drilling technologies—and proactively helps avoid issues like stuck pipe, slow rates of penetration and the need to continuously reengineer fluids. Finally, there’s a solution. Encapso™ is the only commercially available encapsulated drilling lubricant designed to specifically target friction downhole.
Unlike traditional lubricants, Encapso™ delivers long-lasting lubrication in water-based muds to help you meet performance goals. In addition, it is both nonhazardous and biodegradable.
Encapso™ has been proven to:
• Reduce friction by over 70%
• Increase the rate of penetration (ROP) by up to 50% compared to standard liquid lubricants.
• Decrease torque by up to 42%
• Decrease drag by up to 50%
How it works-Inside the ENCAPSO™ process
Encapso™ is composed of micro-sized cells that contain pure lubricating oil. As designed, these cells will only burst under pre-set pressure and temperature settings, enabling lubrication precisely at the point of friction.
Add
It all starts by adding Encapso™ to the mud system through the mud hopper. Using Encapso™ requires no additional equipment or changes to your drilling lubrication process.
Circulate
Encapso™ then circulates freely and inertly within the drilling system, easily dispersing and remaining intact within the solution until needed. Because of its encapsulated design, Encapso™ will not react with other fluid additives, cuttings or affect mud rheology.
Activate
As Encapso™ encounters friction along the drill path, the cells will rupture-releasing oils for improved lubricity precisely where it’s needed most.
Lubricate
This targeted lubrication can help improve steering, speed up rates of penetration and decrease opposing frictional force. Encapso™ can help reduce downtime associated with stuck pipe or excessive torque on longer horizontals.
Recycle
Upon drilling completion, unused capsules can then be circulated back to surface for reuse. Because Encapso™ remains stable within the drilling solution for weeks, with the use of biocide, recycled Encapso™ product can easily be used on other wells.
The bottom line- save money, reduce risk
When it comes to drilling optimisation, it is easy for operators to focus on big-ticket items such as day rates, formation stimulation and increased automation. But the operational efficiencies afforded by encapsulated lubricants cannot be ignored. Encapsulated lubricants offer a useful blend of the friction-fighting performance from an oil-based fluid with the environmental friendliness of a water-based mix; helping drillers overcome highly difficult mud-related challenges where conventional lubricants fall short. In the current climate, with low oil prices putting pressure on profit margins, having the ability to bring a well to production quickly, safely, and without stuck pipe, lost circulation or formation damage is not a luxury – it is a necessity. And while E&P companies try to make their way through the current downturn, leaving money on the table, no matter how small the amount, is simply not an option.
Field testing data-Proven performance in the field
Encapso™ has been tested at a number of wells throughout the U.S., proving its ability to improve overall efficiency over traditional methods.
Results based on laboratory testing, testing at the Catoosa Testing Facility and/or head-to-head commercial well trials.
Williston Basin – Torque Reduction
Williston Basin – Measured Distance (ft) vs. Days
Williston Basin – Average Rate of Penetration (ROP)
Encapso has also made an impact in West Texas, where an operator in the Permian Basin incorporated it into their water-based mud mix to determine its effect on performance. After using the lubricant in a test well (which was the fastest drilled in the area) the operator used Encapso in a commercial well. When compared to an offset well drilled using standard liquid lubricants, the Encapso well saw a 33% reduction in drill time, a 40% increase in ROP (from 120 ft/hr to over 170 ft/hr), and a 16% reduction in torque (from 18 600 ft/lbs to 15.5 ft/lbs). The operator also shaved two and a half days off their drilling schedule.
Field and laboratory tests on encapsulated lubricant have been positive as well, showing that encapsulated lubricants can lower the coefficient of friction of water-based mud formulations by more than 70%, and reduce torque and drag by as much as 45% and 50%, respectively.
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