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The Official Publication of the Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers
Canadian Well Construction Journal
Volume 2 | Issue 5
MAY 2010
11
f eature
Mineralogy analysis for drilling
and completions engineers
15 ed ucation
2010 Drilling Conference
education short courses
8
Association Information
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Canadian Association Of Drilling Engineers
3
May 2010
Table of Contents
Feature Stories
Mineralogy analysis
for drilling and completions
engineers
11
2010 Drilling
Conference education
short courses
15
Departments
Member Profile: Leroy J. Field
5
Association News
8
Upcoming Events 8
Cover photo: Mike Mackinnon
President’s Message
Hello everyone, and thank you for picking up our monthly Canadian Well
Construction Journal. We have a very exciting month ahead of us. Every year goes
out with a bang with the annual CADE/CAODC Drilling Conference. This year is no
exception, as the hard work of our organizing committees for the conference and the
education seminars will finally come to fruition. Our members will have the opportunity to attend an impressive lineup of technical presentations from both drilling and
completion disciplines. Additionally, the two-day education seminars will certainly
provide people the opportunity to learn exceptional skills and knowledge, which will
elevate their contributions to their employers and assist in drilling and completing
better wells.
I would like to take this opportunity prior to many people dispersing for spring and
summer holidays to ask for your time and help. CADE continues its long-standing
tradition of volunteers and we will remain a volunteer organization for many years.
Our community has so many talented, knowledgeable, and giving individuals, and I
invite these people to join us and help CADE continue its growth and prosperity. Our
conference efforts have already begun for 2011, the CADE organization continues
every year, and our exciting CADE Education Program will certainly require people to
elevate its presence, enhance its curriculum, and continue its growth.
I am proud to say that our sponsors have made 2010 a very successful year. We have
acquired sponsorship for the CWCJ and the conference, which has enabled us to grow
and support the new initiatives such as our secured websites and the CADE Education
Program. Thank you and we hope to continue our relationship.
Patrick Murphy, P.Eng.
President, Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers
Canadian Association of
Drilling Engineers (CADE)
800, 540-5 Ave. SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0M2
Phone: 403 264-4311 | Fax: 403 263-3796
www.cade.ca
Managing Editors: Todd Brown, Mike MacKinnon
CWCJ Photographer: Mike MacKinnon
Advertising Sales: Nick Drinkwater
Published by: JuneWarren-Nickle’s Energy Group
CADE’s mandate is to provide high-quality technical meetings to promote awareness of the drilling
& well servicing industry. Through CADE, members
and the public can learn about the technical challenges and experience gained from our speakers,
who are most often CADE members themselves.
We invite you to join CADE and further your professional development.
Past issues of CADENews are available online.
Current issues of Canadian Well Construction Journal are available via email, to CADE members only.
CADE is not responsible for any opinion or statement
expressed in this publication.
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Canadian Association Of Drilling Engineers
May 2010
5
MEMBER PROFILE
Leroy J. Field
(Retired)
Founding Member of CADE
by Mike Mackinnon
Where did the idea for CADE originate?
Photo: Mike Mackinnon
We were already working together as an industry,
on a number of ad hoc committees and forums. An
example would be the Arctic Petroleum Operators
Association, where we were putting together an
operations manual for the Arctic while protecting
the environment. We also worked closely with the
drilling contractors at their training facility in the
south end of Edmonton trying to improve rig safety—we were getting a lot of accidents at the time.
Cooperative kick control procedures were developed using Imperial’s field set up at Golden Spike.
We were a close-knit group, kind of unique in
industry, a cohesive innovative group willing to
share ideas while educating ourselves. We were
trying to get some ideas and papers published
with the encouragement of our companies, but it
was difficult through SPE [the Society of Petroleum
Engineers] or CIM [the Canadian Institute of Mining]. We decided to form our own association, the
Canadian Association of Drilling Engineers. This
would have been in 1974. Basically, CADE evolved
out of the Oilfield Technical Society as the technical
entity. The OTS operates a historical equipment
site west of Ellerslie and continues as a networking
organization. You might say that the petroleum
industry training centre at Nisku also evolved from
CADE members. ➤
6
Canadian Well Construction Journal
May 2010
Why did you decide to participate in the founding
of CADE?
Amoco, being a big player in industry, was quite involved in drilling in a
number of areas, and thus so was I. I was drilling engineer and later, drilling superintendent, responsible for planning and drilling a broad variety
of wells including the Northwest Territories, Yukon, western Canada,
Ontario, and offshore Newfoundland. I was quite enthusiastic about the
formation of the association, given that I was quite involved in a bunch
of this work already. I took the rather lowly title of member at large on
the first CADE executive committee rather than a more involved executive position due to work commitments.
What were the goals and objectives when CADE
was formed?
The primary objective of the association was to facilitate the exchange
of technical drilling knowledge to improve the technical competence
of association members and the Canadian drilling industry as a whole. It
was and remains a great networking opportunity also.
Tell us about yourself, and why you choose a career
in the oil industry.
installations worldwide. In addition, I was involved in mechanical and
chemical research into tool improvements. The three years I spent
here were quite memorable.
I then spent a time as a drilling consultant. In 1964, I joined Amoco,
where I held a number of positions up until my retirement after 25
years in 1989, after the Beaufort Sea operations were closed down.
The first three years with Amoco were in Calgary as a drilling engineer. In 1968, I moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to take the position of
senior research engineer. Here my focus was the development of
courses and training of drilling personnel corporate and industrywide. I also conducted research into the computer optimization of
drilling parameters, low-solids polymer drilling fluids, improved solids
removal, improved dull bit grading, and drill bit design. Quite a number of papers came from this work, and the service industry has carried on with improvements ever since. The two years I spent in Tulsa
were important stepping stones in my career, and I enjoyed the work
very much.
I returned to Calgary in 1970, spent eight years as a drilling superintendent, drilling wells all over western Canada, the Arctic, Ontario, and
offshore Newfoundland. During this time, CADE was formed. In 1978 I
became drilling manager for Amoco. After retiring from Amoco in 1989,
I consulted for a number of companies until 2007, when I decided to
take full retirement. I worked with Bissett Drilling Consultants, Resource
Professionals, and my own firm of Leroy
Holdings. I had to get down to basic
drillng technology, environmental requirements, and the application of ARPs
[Alberta Recommended Practices] for
sour well drilling programming in addition to using metric. Quite a challenge
after the time spent in management.
I had a number of interesting projects
worldwide and got involved in preparing and presenting drilling training
programs.
I was born in Consort, Alberta, on May 13, 1931, the son of an Alberta
Wheat Pool grain buyer or elevator agent. We moved to Bowden, where
I grew up. I was a pretty good hockey
player—I got to attend the Boston Bruins
training camp in 1948, played junior in
Lethbridge, Calgary, and then with the
Edmonton Mercurys, until I got hurt. I
stayed in Edmonton with my uncle, his
next door neighbour at the time was a
party chief for Heiland Exploration. This
was how I got into the oilpatch, as a jug
hustler on a seismic program in Oyen.
I worked on GP Rig 8 at Oyen, in midwinter, when they needed someone to
fire boilers. I would work seismic in the
days and the rig at night. I made it to
“cathead man” after spending about two
years in drilling. After that, I went back
to school to do engineering. I graduated
with a degree in petroleum engineering
in 1954; this was only the third graduating
class of petroleum engineers from the
Leroy Field as a university student, around 1948.
University of Alberta. I became a professional engineer in 1957.
Tell us about your career.
I spent almost 60 years involved in the oil industry before fully retiring
about three years ago. After completing my engineering degree, I went
to work for Texaco Exploration as a junior engineer in 1954. Three years
with Canadian Fina in Edson, Peace River, and Estevan followed, working on drilling, completion, and workovers as well as production facility
construction. In 1958, I joined Great Plains Development Company. Of
note, here I was project engineer on the first western Canada waterflood
operation at Joffre, east of Red Deer.
In 1960, I joined the Permeator Corporation, providing sales,
engineering, and supervision on unique Permeator completion
What were some of the
highlights of your career?
There are many highlights that come
to mind. One is certainly directing the
development of the first field operational measurement-while-drilling system for directional surveying. This led
to the evolution of directional drilling
and, ultimately, horizontal drilling. I was
chairman of the Industry Drilling Committee that drilled the five wells at the Nisku Petroleum Industry Training Service (PITS—now Enform) for rig crew training and kick control
training and certification.
I was also involved in the development of two-tonne lift heliportable rigs for a 40-well Primrose exploratory program and the further
generation of a 3,000-metre transportable by anything rig with Adeco
Drilling for summer drilling in muskeg locations. This rig travelled to
northern Spain by boat and was hauled into the mountains with twotonne trucks. Later in my career, I really enjoyed my teaching work,
primarily on sour gas drilling and horizontal drilling, with both local
and international students.
Canadian Association Of Drilling Engineers
What were some of the challenging parts of your career?
Definitely the 1982 Lodgepole blowout. Testifying before the ERCB
[Energy Resources Conservation Board] Inquiry Commission and participating in the joint government-industry review. This led to the development of the Alberta Recommended Practices (now IRP 1) for equipment
requirements and procedures for the drilling of critical sour wells.
Arctic drilling. The logistics and planning for Arctic drilling locations for summer and/or winter operations on tundra and in the Arctic
Islands was a significant challenge.
Other challenges include the 30-well Grand Banks drilling program
some 200 miles offshore Newfoundland and the development of a saltwater polymer drilling fluid with Magcobar to save on freshwater hauling.
Who had the greatest influence on your career?
May 2010
7
What few words best describe the Western Canadian
Sedimentary Basin?
Declining conventional, natural gas–prone, heavy oil future. The WCSB
is certainly a declining conventional basin. There will be more focus on
heavy oil, particularly the in situ development. The payout per well is
reducing. Low natural gas prices are not helping. The basin requires a lot
of technology to drill or complete effectively. Not only is the equipment
high-tech, but evolving computer technology is also playing a big part.
Why do you still participate in CADE?
I continued consulting until a few years ago and keep an interest in the
business. I am involved in the Petroleum History Society, OTS, and the
Oilpatch Old-timers. I enjoy the social aspects, visiting with old friends,
meeting new ones, and discussing the business. I like to keep up to date
on new technology and new methods, and CADE provides a forum for this.
Three individuals come to mind. Myron Zandmer, early Turner Valley entrepreneur and inventor with National Petroleum and Permeator Corporation.
Why should people become involved with CADE?
He is the holder of many patents, including the Permeator, which is a
The drilling and completions business in all its facets is represented here.
selective stimulation tool, which was used worldwide. Another interesting
You meet lots of people and get to exchange ideas. CADE developed as
example is Myron pumping liquid nitroglycerin, displacing it down the
a forum for a close-knit industry, promoting ideas, methodology, and
open-hole and into the reservoir, which, when detonated, was to fracture
friendships. This continues today.
the formation. So, the story goes, he got quite a sealed cavern down there.
He came up with many different ideas and different ways of doing things.
What keeps you busy
Of note, Myron also fired me from
these days?
Permeator and then later tried to
As I approach 79, I try to stay fit and
hire me back when sales fell off,
keep giving my mind a workout to
this after I tried to improve his
keep it up to speed. My wife Marina
Permeator tool. I learned quite a bit
and I have been married going on 55
from Myron.
years and we have twin daughters—
Jim Lummus of the Pan
both living in southern Alberta open
American Research Center in Tulsa,
country—and three grandchildren,
Oklahoma. He was another innovawho are grown up now. Marina
tor with many developments to
comes from a ranching family down
his name. I spent a couple of years
by the Oldman River and we have a
working with him and his engiplace there, so we are there quite a
neering staff, learning Fortran and
bit and the calves are coming now. I
card punching for the IBM comhave also been preparing the life and
puter system. This led to the previtimes of Leroy Field to share with my
ously described drilling advancegrandchildren.
ments of the 1970s and 1980s.
Now that I am not interrupted by
The third individual, I never did
work, I like to travel to new places,
know his name, but he certainly
experience new customs and people.
had a big influence on my life. I was
We have toured the U.S. extensively,
working rigs in Redwater at the
Leroy Field and his wife Marina in 1954.
South America a number of times,
time, it was 1949. I remember a nice
the Baltic, Turkey, done Europe
white, clean car with an Imperial
(as they say), touched Thailand,
decal on the door driving up on
Singapore and Malaysia, a number
location. We had just pulled a wet
of cruises—a nice way to go. Trips to plan are the Norwegian coast,
drill stem test, and were all covered with mud. An individual got out of the
Australia, New Zealand, and many others before I get too stiff to go.
car in cleaned, pressed khakis. I thought, there is the job for me! It was the
Imperial Oil engineer. Shortly thereafter, I made up my mind to go back to
Do you have any words of advice for someone just
school, and entered engineering. Thanks to that person for the inspiration.
What are the biggest changes or turning points that
you’ve seen in the drilling business?
Horizontal drilling for sure. Multiple fracture stimulations in horizontal
open-hole. Also the business has evolved from one of trial and error to
the application of technology for lower costs and a higher success rate.
starting out in the oil industry?
Don’t be afraid of getting a good grounding in the field; become your
own expert. Don’t work at arm’s length. In this business, there are ups
and downs to get used to, and more travel than you want, away from
family, to other parts of the world so get used to it and take advantage of
it. It’s a tough industry, but very rewarding. ■
8
Canadian Well Construction Journal
May 2010
Association/Membership News
Welcome New Members
NAME
COMPANY
TELEPHONE
Muhamad Bacho
Florica Baltiou
Len Baltiou
Danielle Bobrosky
Douglas Bruce
Mike Burns
Kirk Cottrell
Brendan Danyluik
Scott Erickson
Chudi Ibeziako
Brad Keating
Don Kirk
Brian Larkam
Colin Logan
Chantal MacKenzie
Paul Matthews
Clement Okunlola
Randy Reidy
Gary Rieger
Rob Scheck
Jared Stackhouse
University Of Alberta
Q'max Solutions Inc.
Q'max Solutions Inc.
University of Alberta
Engineered Drilling Solutions Inc.
Savanna Drilling
Atlantic Directional Inc.
University Of Alberta
Apex Oilfield Services
Q'max Solutions Inc.
Kayden Industries
Schlumberger Drilling & Measurements
Q'Max Solutions Inc.
Rheotech Drilling Fluid Services Inc.
Blackstone Drilling Fluids Ltd.
Typhoon Drilling Fluid Management Inc.
ICTC
Q'Max Solutions Inc.
XI Technologies Inc.
EMAIL
403-233-2850
403-267-6732
403-984-1198
780-417-3804
403-257-5152
403-513-6043
403-819-7969
403-862-2465
403-513-6022
403-237-8870
403-262-5955
403-899-5437
647-341-8566
403-355-1061
403-513-6047
403-261-0640
403-296-0079
bacho@ualberta.ca
flori@qmaxsolutions.com
len@qmaxsolutions.com
bobrosky@ualberta.ca
dbruce@edsi.ca
mburns@savannaenergy.com
kirk@atlanticdirectional.com
bdanylui@ualberta.ca
serickson@apexoil.ca
ibeziako@qmaxsolutions.com
bkeating@kayden.ca
dkirk2@calgary.oilfield.slb.com
blarkam@qmaxsolutions.com
colinlogan@shaw.ca
cmackenzie@blackstonefluids.com
paul.matthews@lice.ca
clementokunlola@gmail.com
rreidy@eclgroup.com
grieger@qmaxsolutions.om
rscheck@shaw.ca
jareds@xitechnologies.com
403-269-2242
403-269-2242
Members On The Move
NAME
COMPANY
TELEPHONE
EMAIL
Grant Duncan
Ken Small
Greg Szutiak
Enerplus
Weatherford Asia Pacific
EOG Resources Canada Inc.
403-298-1252
65-6543-2133 (252)
403-297-9187
gduncan@enerplus.com
kenneth.small@ap.weatherford.com
greg_szutiak@eogresources.com
Upcoming Events
CADE Technical Luncheon
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Westin Calgary
CADE
Executive Team
2009/2010
CADE Technical Luncheon
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Westin Calgary
CADE Technical Luncheon
September 2010—TBA
The Westin Calgary
TITLE
NAME
TELEPHONE
President
Past President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership Chairman
Education Chairman
Social Chairman
CADE News Editor
Technical Chairman
IT Chairman
Drilling Conference Liaison
Executive Member
CAODC Liaison
Patrick Murphy
David White
John Garden
Tammy Todd
Alice Skoda
Jason Tiefenbach
Mike Buker
Dan Schlosser
Todd Brown
Jeff Arvidson
Ryan Schoenhals
Doug Hollies
403-266-7383
403-699-5160
403-441-2300
403-613-8844
403-232-6066
403-543-8012
403-213-3615
403-531-5284
403-230-3055
403-232-7100
403-767-0202
403-604-6645
Shannon Kelsick
403-992-4142
John Pahl
403-292-7966
Canadian Association Of Drilling Engineers
May 2010
Association/Membership News
Editor’s Note
We are gearing up for the annual CADE/CAODC Drilling Conference, to be held on May 26, 2010, in Calgary. This year’s title theme is
“Innovative Solutions for Unconventional Challenges,” and all the information is on our newly refurbished websites if you need further
information. After an extensive planning year, the Technical Committee has put together a very strong program and has created high
value for your education dollar. We hope to see you all there again this year.
Speaking of websites, if you haven’t seen our website for a while, check it out. With help from the fine folks at JuneWarren-Nickle’s
Energy Group, our website is looking very slick. We have more daily news items online and it changes regularly, so drop by and see our
new look when you have a moment.
How do you like the new look of Canadian Well Construction Journal this year? With another great cover shot from Mike, we have a
great story on mineralogy this issue along with our regular news, and we have an interesting interview coming up next month with Paul
Ziff on the future of our industry.
I hope you enjoy the issue, and see you all again next month for our last issue before the summer break.
Todd Brown, CADE News Editor
tbrown@themotorcompany.ca | cell: (403) 969–8148
Upcoming CADE Technical Luncheon
Abstract: Managed pressure drilling in Canada
Date
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Place
The Westin Calgary
In Canada, managed pressure drilling (MPD) is quickly becoming the preferred method to drill formations
with nuisance gas and high-pressure, low-volume (HPLV) gas influx that creates costly non-productive
time (NPT) during the drilling process. Traditionally, both nuisance gas and especially HPLV gas influx
have forced operators to increase the mud density in order to safely continue drilling.
Time
11:30 a.m.—Reception
12:00 noon—Luncheon
12:30 p.m.—Presentation
Speaker
Alek Ozegovic,
Weatherford Canada
By using MPD, an operator can now safely drill with a lower mud density and divert any gas production, while continuing to drill ahead without NPT. Another benefit of drilling with a lower density
mud is an increase in the average rate of penetration and a decrease in the number of days required
to drill the well. MPD’s ability to manage tight pore pressure and fracture gradient windows allows
operators to drill without worrying about kick-loss scenarios or differential sticking. Using a lighter
density drilling fluid will also allow an operator to significantly reduce their mud losses while drilling,
and thus reduce the cost of expensive oil-based mud.
The majority of Canadian foothill oil and gas targets in Alberta and British Columbia are well below a pore pressure boundary.
Traditionally, an intermediate casing is required to isolate the lower-pressure, weaker formations
above from the overpressured, more competent formations below. MPD can be used with assertive
equivalent circulating density management to avoid the need to set this intermediate casing.
Weatherford provides different MPD service levels to specifically address the various primary objectives that Weatherford Canada’s clients currently have. This presentation aims to familiarize the
audience with the various MPD service levels and safety features offered in the Canadian oil and gas
industry today.
Bio: Alek Ozegovic graduated from the University of Alberta in 2003 with a B.Sc. degree in chemical engineering and joined Weatherford in the fall of 2004. He has worked in the under-balanced drilling division, now known as the controlled pressure drilling group,
both in Canada and the USA as well as in Asia and Europe. Currently, Alek holds the title of regional engineering manager for Canada.
9
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Page 1
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May 2010
11
Mineralogy analysis for drilling
and completions engineers
Engineer a fluid that complements your wellbore
by Patrick Murphy
Understanding the minerals that make up a particular formation
is vital. Specifically, understanding the constituents of a geological
formation under investigation can have implications as to what site
is chosen for drilling. Once a site has been chosen, this mineralogical information can be used to anticipate certain expectations
about the field due to the minerals revealed. This leads to further
implications, such as the customization of drilling fluids for the
site. As minerals are crystalline, the use of X-ray diffraction (XRD)
to identify and determine the approximate amount of each species
is used.
the clays to chemical or physical changes. Chemicals consisting of
water and ethylene glycol may be inserted—naturally or artificially—between the lattice planes. This will cause the lattice spacing to alter and thus it will change the position and appearance of
the diffraction peak. The application of heat has two effects. Heat
expels the aforementioned chemicals, therefore altering the crystal
planes again. Alternatively, applying heat can result in a variety of
instabilities of the crystal within itself. The lattice will have to compensate for these instabilities by changing its d-spacing and, thus,
altering the diffraction peaks.
XRD—Determining crystal structure
Each mineral has a unique arrangement of atoms, referred to as its
crystal structure or lattice, and these atoms are arranged in infinite
repeating planes. Depending on the distance between these planes,
the X-rays will diffract at a series of specific angles that provide
a pattern that is specific for the mineral in question. A sample is
placed between a source of X-rays and an X-ray detector. By changing the angle of the sample holder, relative to the source, each
crystal plane gets an opportunity to diffract its respective angle of
X-rays. The detector identifies which angles produce its respective
“reflected” X-ray.
General procedures
When a sample is brought to the facility a series of considerations
need to be taken into account. A washing strategy is determined
by what needs to be cleaned off of the sample. A sample may be
divided and then washed differently to ensure that if any one of the
samples’ components gets leeched out in one washing, it will be
present in another. Heterogeneous samples may be compensated
for by separating out the unlike particles into the same number
of different samples and running them accordingly. The freshly
washed samples are then dried at about 250ºC to make sure all of
the solvents are removed from the sample.
Ideally, when the sample is mixed into the water, the clays will
suspend and the slide will be made accordingly. Often, a suspension is not produced. This can arise due to the presence of a watersoluble mineral, like halite or gypsum. This will dissolve in the
water and prohibit the suspension of the clays. The sample must ➤
Clays discussion
It is hard to distinguish the clays from each other in XRD due
to the fact that their structure and d-spacings are similar to one
another. However, the species can be distinguished by exposing
12 May 2010
Canadian Well Construction Journal
then be washed with water extensively until
the clays can be suspended.
In reference to the clay slide itself, it
needs to be emphasized that allowing the
water to evaporate as slowly as possible
renders the most desirable results. When
the slide is dried in a heated environment,
the clay grains do not become as oriented
as they do when it is allowed to dry overnight at room temperature.
Limitations
As this is a semi-quantitative approach,
emphasis needs to be placed on the fact
that this is a general approximation of the
contents in the sample. XRD, in general,
is ideal for identifying crystalline material.
A limitation to this results from the shape
factor. On grinding the sample into fine particles, the different
minerals within the sample adopt different shapes. Quartz takes
on a spherical shape during grinding; most other minerals grind to
prismatic or rhombic fragments. Clays tend to produce flakes. The
spherical quartz grains are randomly oriented and so their peak
height is a fair representation of its volumetric abundance.
Mineral implications in the field
By using the preparation and interpretation techniques discussed
above, the expectations of that field can be predicted. A brief
account is given on the general understanding of how each mineral
yields an idea of what to expect and thus leads to modifying drilling
fluids for the site.
Quartz and the feldspars are crucial to understanding because,
together, they are the most abundant minerals encountered during
drilling. Quartz is very hard (hardness of 7) and abrasive. Its
crystals can increase the porosity of the shale, allowing fluid to
penetrate farther and faster than in similar low-quartz shales. This
circumstance can destabilize the shale, leading to difficulties in
drilling. Likewise, feldspars are hard (6–6.5) and are the primary
matrix of shales. In other words, the shale will be more easily dispersed if the feldspar content is low. Furthermore, the carbonates
(calcite, dolomite, and siderite) are of interest because, like quartz,
they may cause additional porosity to the shale, but are significantly softer (3–4). Some of the carbonates are also a potential
source of low-level carbonate buildup in the mud. Similarly, pyrite
is a hard mineral (6–6.5) that may impart some increased porosity
to the shale.
Beidellite and montmorillonite are known to be the most
common and most well-known smectites, respectively. It is generally accepted that vermiculites belong in a separate class from
smectite due to differing cation exchange capacity (CEC) results
(discussed below). As a group, vermiculites are much more reactive
than the smectites. The smectite concentration in shale is important. Being that smectites swell when hydrated, they can make the
formation unstable. Smectite clays are most often controlled these
days with inhibitive water-based, oil, or synthetic-based fluids.
Furthermore, kaolinite is a dispersive, non-swelling clay. It is commonly found in shales in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin,
such as the Fort Simpson and Redknife formations. Kaolinite can
be controlled most effectively with the addition of a source of
potassium, which leads to illite—a dispersive, non-swelling clay
that can also be controlled by the addition of a source of potassium or some of the amine compounds currently in use today.
Similarly, chlorite clays are dispersive, non-swelling materials
that are generally not found in sufficient quantities to need special attention. Typically, methods to control the kaolinitic and
illitic clays will generally control the chlorite clays. Mixed layer
clays can be of several types: kaolin/smectite, chlorite/smectite,
chlorite/vermiculite, and illite/smectite. The most frequently found
and therefore most important of these is the illite/smectite mixed
layer. When water interacts with this mixed layer the consequences rendered are much more damaging than if it were pure
smectite or illite. The illite allows the smectite to swell more easily
due to increased exposed surface area. Also, the mixed layer sets
up a situation where the less reactive clays act like ball bearings
for the swelling clays to roll upon. Macroscopically, this results in
disintegrating shale.
Cation exchange capacity
CEC values are important due to the fact that clays vary in their
reactivity. Some of the cations (positively charged atoms) of the
clay are easily replaced with other positively charged species. This
phenomenon is driven by the fact that the original cations are not
as compatible to the negatively charged site as the newly introduced positively charged species. Thus, it is rationalized that the
exchangeability of the cations are directly related to the reactivity of the shale. However, the CEC within itself does not provide
this information alone. The individual cations of the clays that
are replaced and left in solution indicate reactivity of the clay as
well. These cations, also called exchangeable bases, are primarily
calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium. For example, shale
with a high CEC value along with a high concentration of calcium
may not be as reactive as shale with a lower CEC value and a high
sodium concentration.
To summarize the reaction, the Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, and/or Na+
initially present in the clay are loosely bonded to negatively
charged sites within the clay. The CEC reagent is a positively
Canadian Association Of Drilling Engineers
charged species in solution. The clay and the CEC reagent are
allowed to mix with one another for an extended period of time.
During this time, the CEC reagent is strongly attracted to the
negatively charged sites. It is, therefore, drawn out of solution and
bonded to these sites. This, in turn, drives the Mg2+, Ca2+, K+,
and/or Na+ into solution.
CEC data can indicate whether a clay mineral, particularly
smectite, has a predisposition to cation retention or whether
diffusion of charged or uncharged molecules can occur within
May 2010
the clay. In other words, if a shale has a
high CEC, it might be able to be altered
either by nature or by the application of a
drilling fluid. This may be detrimental or
useful to the drilling process, depending
on the alteration.
With good organization skills, an
accurate account as to what is included
in a sample can be rendered. Being able
to wash and grind a sample effectively
is of utmost importance. Preparing the
powdered bulk sample to be even and as
random as possible is vital to the success
of semi-quantitating the minerals.
Utilizing CEC to better understand
these minerals is of utmost importance as
well. Having experienced and knowledgeable personnel executing the procedures
is important to ensuring that the best possible analytes are created and that the XRD and CEC data is interpreted logically.
Understanding the essential theories and applications behind
XRD and CEC will enable the reader to better recognize and
understand these very useful applications. It also enables the
individuals from the field to better interpret and appreciate the
reports submitted by Newpark Drilling Fluids. These factors in
combination will, hopefully, provide the field personnel a better
understanding of the site that they are considering or drilling. ■
Well Control Group is not just another well control engineering and
operational support team.
The service company of choice for both
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We provide International Well Control Forum (IWCF) training and
well control certification for land and offshore rigs, live well
intervention training and certification. The team also provides
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IWCF classes in Calgary are run on request.
Our team of professionals provide remote or onsite supervision for
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For 24 hour service call
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13
Please feel free to contact us 24/7 at
780-965- KICK (5425) or
1-877-WEL-KICK (1-877-935-5425)
The team is led by Mr. Javed Shah, P.Eng (Director of Operations).
Email: jms@wellcontrolgroup.com
Web site: www.wellcontrolgroup.com
Office telephone: 780-485-2773
Fax: 780-485-8773
Located at: #203, 2327 Ellwood Drive, Edmonton, AB T6X 0J6
14 May 2010
Canadian Well Construction Journal
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Canadian Association Of Drilling Engineers
May 2010
education
2010 Drilling Conference
Education Short Courses
Practical Rock Geomechanics for Drilling and
Completions short course
Costs: Members, $500 plus GST
Non-members, $600 plus GST
Where: Bank of Montreal Conference Centre, Calgary, AB
When: May 27–28, 2010, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Maximum 30 students per course.
Lunch and coffee to be provided.
Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) short course
This two-day Extended Reach Drilling course is comprised of presentation, exercises, and discussion centered on horizontal and
extended reach well planning and drilling operations. Topics
include high angle well planning, fluid selection, drill string and
bottomhole assembly design, torque and drag, and hydraulics.
This is a fast-paced course designed to give a practical overview
of the principles and practices of designing and drilling these
extreme wells.
Instructor: Marcus (Marc) A. Summers, P.E.
Marc is based in Houston, Texas, and is the president of PetrEX
International, Inc. and a principal of RigSMARTS, LLC. He has over
24 years of oilfield experience and over 10 years of hands-on
training experience. Before starting PetrEX International in 1997,
he worked as a drilling engineer for Amoco for 15 years in various locations around the world. His background includes operations, technical support, and drilling research functions. Since
1986, he has written a number of papers presented at SPE/IADC
conferences and several articles published in Petroleum Engineer
International, American Oil & Gas Reporter, and other journals.
Marc holds a B.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering from the University
of Oklahoma.
For more information or to register, phone the CADE office
at (403) 264-4311, email info@drillingconference.ca, or visit
www.drillingconference.ca.
Petroleum geomechanics is an important aspect of well planning,
design, and construction in many settings such as tectonically
deformed areas, depleted reservoirs, tight gas sands, gas shales,
heavy oil and coalbed methane reservoirs, and permafrost areas.
This course provides a concise overview of basic rock mechanics
and its application to many practical problems encountered in the
well drilling, completions and stimulation workflow. Participants
will receive an up-to-date course manual with some of the latest
technical innovations in the industry, a comprehensive list of references and Internet resources, a spreadsheet program for basic
wellbore stress and stability calculations, and a demonstration of
advanced geomechanical software
Instructor: Pat McLellan, M.Sc., P.Eng.
Pat is a petroleum engineer with 27 years of experience applying geomechanics to exploration, drilling, completions, stimulation, and reservoir engineering problems. He was the founder of
Advanced Geotechnology Inc., now Weatherford Geomechanics
Services, a petroleum consulting and software group that serves
a worldwide clientele. He has conducted or managed over 350
consulting and research projects for clients in Canada and abroad.
STABView, a comprehensive well-planning software package, and
ROCKSBank, a rock mechanical and petrophysical database, were
developed by Advanced Geotechnology. He currently offers consulting and training services concentrating on unconventional
resource development to select clients through McLellan Energy
Advisors Inc.
Pat received a B.Sc.(Eng) in Geological Engineering from Queen’s
University in 1979 and M.Sc. in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical) in
1983 from the University of Alberta. He was previously employed
in technical and supervisory roles in drilling, production, and
reservoir engineering with Petro-Canada and Shell Canada. He
is a member of the SPE, CADE, CHOA, CWLS, CSPG, AAPG, and
APEGGA. He has given over 150 technical papers and presentations, and more than 80 short courses on geomechanics-related
topics in Canada and abroad.
In 2002–03, Pat was an SPE Distinguished Lecturer and he
received the Distinguished Service Award from the Petroleum
Society in 2007.
15
Registration
CADE ■ CAODC DRILLING CONFERENCE
Innovative Solutions for Unconventional Challenges
May 26, 2010
Telus Convention Centre
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Keynote Luncheon (Location — Calgary Telus Convention Centre)
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• Seating is limited; avoid disappointment and register early. Registrations will not be
• No cancellations allowed; substitutions – as detailed below – may be requested.
• Substitutions (change of registered delegates) received in writing by May 15, 2010
will be made at no charge.
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plus GST.
• Audio recordings, videotaping and photography are not permitted.
A short course on extended reach drilling will be available after the conference.
Visit www.drillingconference.ca for updates!
Information: www.drillingconference.ca or phone (403) 264-4311
Submit completed registration forms with full payment via
email: info@drillingconference.ca or fax: (403) 263-3796
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