Prof Joel Ogbonna 's research grant

Lead Researcher

Title Prof
Firstname Ogbonna
Middlename
Surname Joel
Phone 08037099211
Email ogbonna.joel@ipsng.org

Research Grant Details

Research Topic Modeling Well – Burst Stability by Chemical Method: Niger – Delta a Case Study
Benefit to Oil and Gas Modeling Well – Burst Stability by Chemical Method: Niger – Delta a Case Study
Research Duration 2
University University of Port Harcourt
Abstract Drilling through shale formation can be challenging and results in wellbore instability problems due to the reaction between hydrophilic shale and drilling fluids. Therefore, the study of wellbore instability in shale formation is quite critical because about 90% of all wellbore instability problems occur in shale formations costing the industry more than $1 billion USD/year. This research work was carried out in selected fields of the Niger Delta to help proffer solution to wellbore instability caused by the interaction between drilling fluid, the shale and pore fluid within the formation. A comprehensive methodology involving the characterization of formation water and shale, leading to the development of a time-dependent shale swelling model was carried out. Formation water samples were characterized using the atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS); shale permeability was obtained using a locally fabricated permeameter; also shale mineralogy was obtained using the X-Ray diffractometer (XRD), while the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) was obtained through the methyl blue test (MBT). Results for the formation water characterization showed that Na+ K+ and Ca2+ and Cl- are the dominant ions across the selected fields. Shale mineralogy test showed the dominance of clay minerals over non clay minerals, with Palygorskite, kaolinite and Nacrite being the most abundant across the selected fields. Permeability values were very low ranging between 0.1353md to 0.2010md; whereas (CEC) values of between 2.5Meq/100g to 10.5Meq/100g was obtained. Swelling test results showed minimal swelling over 48 hours period. The time dependent (24 hours and 48 hours) respectively shale swelling model as a function of brine concentration, CEC, clay mineralogy and temperature was developed, calibrated and validated with experimental results, using the Microsoft Solver. The study has bridged the knowledge gaps in chemical method for predicting borehole instability. It is recommended that an extensive study across the different fields of the different Niger Delta depobelts be carried out for a comprehensive shale instability solution in the Niger Delta Region.

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