AADE-11-NTCE-17 - Maximizing Drilling Operations By Mitigating The Adverse Affects of Friction Through Advanced Drilling Fluid Technology

Sep 18, 2026

Drilling technology advances have extended achievable limits, but increased friction associated with new operating conditions can reduce performance and raise costs. The paper presents an advanced, environmentally safe drilling fluid technology compatible with most fluid systems, designed to mitigate surface and downhole friction without altering drilling fluid rheology. Results described include higher penetration rates, lower torque and drag, reduced vibrations and stick-slip, less wear and longer bit life, faster trips, reduced fluid losses, and improved wellbore stability across directional, horizontal, and ERD wells.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Causes of Friction

AADE-11-NTCE-17 Maximizing Drilling Operations By Mitigating The Adverse Affects of Friction Through Advanced Drilling Fluid Technology Armando R. Navarro, Eco Global Solutions, Inc. , William R. Dannels, BOPCO, LP Copyright 2011, AADE This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2011 AADE National Technical Conference and Exhibition held at the Hilton Houston North Hotel, Houston, Texas, April 12-14, 2011. This conference was sponsored by the American Association of Drilling Engineers. The information presented in this paper does not reflect any position, claim or endorsement made or implied by the American Association of Drilling Engineers, their officers or members. Questions concerning the content of this paper should be directed to the individual(s) listed as author(s) of this work. Abstract In the past decade, the drilling industry has made tremendous advancements in technology that have allowed the extension of drilling technical limits1. Everything from larger top drives, to rotary steerable tools to “smart” pipe, reaches and depths once thought of as unattainable are now commonplace due in part because of these technologies. With these extended limits come the problems with the inherent friction of these new limits. A new advanced environmentally safe drilling fluid (DFL) technology that is 100% compatible with most drilling fluid systems and mitigates the negative effects of surface and down hole friction has shown to substantially improve operational efficiencies, thus resulting in more efficient drilling operations and lower drilling costs. This alleviation of most of the inherent drilling friction has manifested as faster rates of penetration, lower surface and down hole torque, lower pick up and slack off drag, lower down hole vibrations, reduced stick-slip, reduced equipment and material wear, longer bit life, faster trips, lower drilling fluid losses and the promotion of wellbore stability in directional, horizontal and ERD wells. Unlike conventional drilling fluid additives made for the use of friction mitigation, the DFL technology does not negatively alter the drilling fluid rheology, thus not requiring the addition of other drilling fluid chemical additions to bring the fluid properties back to their original state. The driving mechanism behind this technology is the alteration of the flowing conduit, rather than the properties of the drilling fluid. Couple this with the friction mitigation, and that the DFL technology stays in the system (has very little dissipation or does not get thrown out over the shakers), and maintains its efficacy over time, the time and cost savings implications can be substantial. Introduction Over seventy percent of all energy that is delivered by a drilling rig and its surface and down hole equipment to drill a well is lost through friction2. In the drilling of directional, high angle and extended reach wells, this energy loss can mean the difference effectively meeting the target objective, or not. All too often, companies do not have the resources to purchase new or more powerful drilling equipment to overcome the negative effects of friction. This can lead to stopping short of the overall objective or not drilling the welland leaving untapped reserves behind. Friction reducers, or as there are commonly referred to in the drilling industry,“lubricants” can help in alleviating this friction. The three problems that are common with the use of standard lubricants are compatibility, efficacy and environmental compliance. Although this DFL technology meets all environmentally mandated discharge regulations throughout the world, both on land and offshore (i.e. LC-50, Microtox, etc.), this paper will focus on compatibility and efficacy. Causes of Friction Every well, whether vertical or directional, loses rig power through friction. This friction loss comes from the operating of standard mechanical surface equipment, through the down hole drilling tools-to-

FAQs

How does the proposed drilling fluid technology differ from conventional friction-mitigation additives?

Unlike conventional additives, it does not negatively alter drilling fluid rheology and therefore does not require additional chemical additions to restore fluid properties.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Olivia Brown