Adaptability Evaluation of High-Density Kill Fluid for Ultra-Deep and Ultra-High Temperature Well Testing in Tarim Oilfield

To address the insufficient long-term stability of kill fluids in ultra-deep, ultra-high-temperature wells in the Tarim Oilfield, this study systematically evaluates the adaptability of high-density kill fluids under high-temperature and prolonged static aging conditions, with a focus on identifying...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Junyan Liu, Lili Li, Shuang Liu, Yan Ye, Sihan Cheng, Kun Wang, Lang Wang, Zhenjiang Wu, Jun Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1779
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850212329469247488
author Junyan Liu
Lili Li
Shuang Liu
Yan Ye
Sihan Cheng
Kun Wang
Lang Wang
Zhenjiang Wu
Jun Wu
author_facet Junyan Liu
Lili Li
Shuang Liu
Yan Ye
Sihan Cheng
Kun Wang
Lang Wang
Zhenjiang Wu
Jun Wu
author_sort Junyan Liu
collection DOAJ
description To address the insufficient long-term stability of kill fluids in ultra-deep, ultra-high-temperature wells in the Tarim Oilfield, this study systematically evaluates the adaptability of high-density kill fluids under high-temperature and prolonged static aging conditions, with a focus on identifying dominant settling mechanisms. The correlation between the microstructure and macroscopic properties of kill fluids was elucidated through particle size distribution analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and rheological characterization. A quantitative grading criterion for settling stability was established using settlement values and the falling rod method. Key findings demonstrate that low-density kill fluids (1.4–1.6 g/cm<sup>3</sup>) retained rheological stability after 20 days of aging at 220 °C, fulfilling the ≥20-day operational requirements for ultra-deep well testing. In contrast, high-density systems (1.9 g/cm<sup>3</sup>) exhibited severe particle aggregation after 15 days under identical conditions, with the yield stress-to-plastic viscosity ratio dropping below 0.10 and suspension capacity deteriorating. The apparent viscosity of ultrafine barite-weighted kill fluid increases with temperature, and its settling value is positively correlated with aging time and temperature. The settling mechanism of ultrafine barite-based kill fluids was attributed to reduced surface charge density caused by the decarboxylation of polyacrylate dispersants, which diminished interparticle electrostatic repulsion. The developed “settlement value vs. falling rod time” correlation model and grading criteria lay a theoretical foundation for optimizing kill fluid formulations and evaluating field performance in ultra-high-temperature wells, offering critical engineering insights to ensure safe deep hydrocarbon testing operations.
format Article
id doaj-art-8ea004b87ad64f8492c2bbcd8bc76c7d
institution OA Journals
issn 1996-1073
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Energies
spelling doaj-art-8ea004b87ad64f8492c2bbcd8bc76c7d2025-08-20T02:09:22ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-04-01187177910.3390/en18071779Adaptability Evaluation of High-Density Kill Fluid for Ultra-Deep and Ultra-High Temperature Well Testing in Tarim OilfieldJunyan Liu0Lili Li1Shuang Liu2Yan Ye3Sihan Cheng4Kun Wang5Lang Wang6Zhenjiang Wu7Jun Wu8CNPC R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservior Exploration and Development, Korla 841000, ChinaCNPC R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservior Exploration and Development, Korla 841000, ChinaCNPC R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservior Exploration and Development, Korla 841000, ChinaCollege of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, ChinaCollege of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, ChinaCNPC R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservior Exploration and Development, Korla 841000, ChinaCNPC R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservior Exploration and Development, Korla 841000, ChinaCNPC R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservior Exploration and Development, Korla 841000, ChinaCNPC R&D Center for Ultra-Deep Complex Reservior Exploration and Development, Korla 841000, ChinaTo address the insufficient long-term stability of kill fluids in ultra-deep, ultra-high-temperature wells in the Tarim Oilfield, this study systematically evaluates the adaptability of high-density kill fluids under high-temperature and prolonged static aging conditions, with a focus on identifying dominant settling mechanisms. The correlation between the microstructure and macroscopic properties of kill fluids was elucidated through particle size distribution analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and rheological characterization. A quantitative grading criterion for settling stability was established using settlement values and the falling rod method. Key findings demonstrate that low-density kill fluids (1.4–1.6 g/cm<sup>3</sup>) retained rheological stability after 20 days of aging at 220 °C, fulfilling the ≥20-day operational requirements for ultra-deep well testing. In contrast, high-density systems (1.9 g/cm<sup>3</sup>) exhibited severe particle aggregation after 15 days under identical conditions, with the yield stress-to-plastic viscosity ratio dropping below 0.10 and suspension capacity deteriorating. The apparent viscosity of ultrafine barite-weighted kill fluid increases with temperature, and its settling value is positively correlated with aging time and temperature. The settling mechanism of ultrafine barite-based kill fluids was attributed to reduced surface charge density caused by the decarboxylation of polyacrylate dispersants, which diminished interparticle electrostatic repulsion. The developed “settlement value vs. falling rod time” correlation model and grading criteria lay a theoretical foundation for optimizing kill fluid formulations and evaluating field performance in ultra-high-temperature wells, offering critical engineering insights to ensure safe deep hydrocarbon testing operations.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1779well testing and kill operationsultrafine barite-weighted kill fluidsettling stability
spellingShingle Junyan Liu
Lili Li
Shuang Liu
Yan Ye
Sihan Cheng
Kun Wang
Lang Wang
Zhenjiang Wu
Jun Wu
Adaptability Evaluation of High-Density Kill Fluid for Ultra-Deep and Ultra-High Temperature Well Testing in Tarim Oilfield
Energies
well testing and kill operations
ultrafine barite-weighted kill fluid
settling stability
title Adaptability Evaluation of High-Density Kill Fluid for Ultra-Deep and Ultra-High Temperature Well Testing in Tarim Oilfield
title_full Adaptability Evaluation of High-Density Kill Fluid for Ultra-Deep and Ultra-High Temperature Well Testing in Tarim Oilfield
title_fullStr Adaptability Evaluation of High-Density Kill Fluid for Ultra-Deep and Ultra-High Temperature Well Testing in Tarim Oilfield
title_full_unstemmed Adaptability Evaluation of High-Density Kill Fluid for Ultra-Deep and Ultra-High Temperature Well Testing in Tarim Oilfield
title_short Adaptability Evaluation of High-Density Kill Fluid for Ultra-Deep and Ultra-High Temperature Well Testing in Tarim Oilfield
title_sort adaptability evaluation of high density kill fluid for ultra deep and ultra high temperature well testing in tarim oilfield
topic well testing and kill operations
ultrafine barite-weighted kill fluid
settling stability
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1779
work_keys_str_mv AT junyanliu adaptabilityevaluationofhighdensitykillfluidforultradeepandultrahightemperaturewelltestingintarimoilfield
AT lilili adaptabilityevaluationofhighdensitykillfluidforultradeepandultrahightemperaturewelltestingintarimoilfield
AT shuangliu adaptabilityevaluationofhighdensitykillfluidforultradeepandultrahightemperaturewelltestingintarimoilfield
AT yanye adaptabilityevaluationofhighdensitykillfluidforultradeepandultrahightemperaturewelltestingintarimoilfield
AT sihancheng adaptabilityevaluationofhighdensitykillfluidforultradeepandultrahightemperaturewelltestingintarimoilfield
AT kunwang adaptabilityevaluationofhighdensitykillfluidforultradeepandultrahightemperaturewelltestingintarimoilfield
AT langwang adaptabilityevaluationofhighdensitykillfluidforultradeepandultrahightemperaturewelltestingintarimoilfield
AT zhenjiangwu adaptabilityevaluationofhighdensitykillfluidforultradeepandultrahightemperaturewelltestingintarimoilfield
AT junwu adaptabilityevaluationofhighdensitykillfluidforultradeepandultrahightemperaturewelltestingintarimoilfield