Low-Density Micro-Foam Drilling Fluid Technology Deployed in Benacat Block, Indonesia

The KSO Benacat Block of Indonesia can be classified as a low-pressure low permeability formation with incidents involving lost circulation that have happened frequently during drilling with conventional drilling fluid, which has led to pipe sticking and significant economic losses.To solve such problems and ensure proper implementation of the drilling program, the surfactant, JM, as foaming agent and PF-XC as a foam stabilizer have been deployed to make formulate micro-foam drilling fluids.In addition, lab tests and field tests have been conducted to determine performances of the fluid.Lab tests showed that the newly developed drilling fluids have a foam stabilizing time of 96 h, roll recovery and permeability recovery rate were 94.0% and 92.4% respectively.Field test results indicated that the micro-foam drilling fluids could effectively reduce the downhole problems, significantly improve drilling rates, protect the reservoir and minimize damage in oil and gas reservoirs.It can be concluded that the micro-foam drilling fluids could meet the requirements of drilling operations in KSO Benacat Block, Indonesia, and could provide technical references for drilling operations in similar formations safely and quickly.