The Effectiveness of Different Water-Based Mud Systems in Controlling Swelling and Dispersion of Shale in Malaysia Water.

The main objective of this research is to propose the most suitable type of water-based
mud (WBM) to be use in Malaysia Water for controlling the swelling and dispersion of
shale. There are several types of drilling muds used in drilling oil and gas well for these
purposes such as oil-based mud (OBM), water-based mud (WBM) and synthetic-based
mud (SBM). Out of these choices, WBM are used in drilling operation due to its
environmental friendly nature and has low cost. The justification of conducting the
project is due to the importance of selecting the right WBM, if proper investigation is
not made, this will lead to drilling problems such as washout, stuck pipe and hole
enlargement. The purpose of this study is to determine the most excellent performance
of WBM in order to minimize the shale problem while drilling offshore in Malaysia
Water. Shale from Field A, which located at Malaysia Water is selected to go through a
series of x-ray diffraction, cation exchange capacity, capillary suction time test and
linear-swell meter test to achieve the objective. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Cation
Exchange Capacity ( CEC) Tests were carried out to determine the mineralogy and
reactivity of that particular shale formation Meanwhile Capillary Suction Time (CST)
and Linear-swell Meter (LSM) Tests were conducted to observed shale behavior upon
being tested with different mud systems. This investigation will solely based on the
comparison of the outcome of tests results where KCL PHPA and Salt Polymer Amine
systems are investigated. At the eqd of the project, Salt Polymer Amine system is
proposed to be used in drilling ca~paign for Field A and fulfill the objectives of the
project.