SPE 157836

Wellbore Bitumen Treatment: Mitigation of the Adhesive Properties of Oil

Sands during Drilling Operations Development and Field Trial
Philip W. Livanec and Greg P. Perez, Halliburton, SPE

Copyright 2012, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Heavy Oil Conference Canada held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1214 June 2012.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
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Abstract
Mitigation of bitumen and asphaltene accretion to the drillstring and other drilling components has become an important task
due to the increasing production of oil sands and heavy oil deposits. When drilling through oil sands or encountering a
bituminous zone, numerous problems can occur due to the extreme adhesive nature of the bitumen. Drillstrings and other
tubulars can become coated, causing stuck pipe and undesired nonproductive time (NPT). Surface equipment such as shaker
screens, can become fouled, resulting in poor drilling fluid properties. Common methods to counter the adhesive nature of
bitumen have involved solvation of the bitumen into the drilling fluid. However, these methods not only contaminate the
drilling fluid (resulting in disposal concerns), but can also negatively affect the fluids properties, such as rheology.
This field trial utilizes a water-based mud and examines the effectiveness of a new polymer additive to mitigate the
adhesive nature of bitumen, thereby preventing the occurrence of wellbore accretion. The bituminous cuttings are rendered
non-adhesive, transported by the drilling fluid to the surface, and separated by conventional solids control equipment. In this
fashion, the drilling fluid properties are not altered, and the water-based mud can be disposed of without the environmental
issues of a contaminated fluid. Field trials and lab results have shown that small additions of this bitumen stabilization polymer
to water-based drilling fluid renders the bitumen non-adhesive. Field trials have been completed in northern Canada and show
extremely positive results with this polymer additive. It was shown that when the tar sands interact with the polymer additive,
the tar becomes non-adhesive, and remains non-adhesive following contact with aqueous solutions. By preventing the bitumen
from solvating or dispersing into the drilling fluid, the bituminous cuttings can easily be surface-separated. Torque and drag
issues commonly seen while drilling through oil sands were also alleviated with use of this polymer additive.

Introduction
The steady rise of oil prices in conjunction with new technology that has enabled bitumen production, continue to make
bitumen a highly valuable resource. Oil sands and bitumen-containing zones are estimated to account for two-thirds of the
worlds oil reserves, much of which reside in regions of northern Alberta, Canada (World Energy Council 2010). Steam
Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) is a technology often used to aid in the production of heavy oil/oil sand deposits and
bitumen (Grills 1998). This method has been of particular use when the formations are beyond the reach of conventional
surface mining. In the SAGD process, two parallel wells are drilled with one approximately 4-6 meters above the other. A
slotted liner is inserted, and then steam injected into the upper well melts or reduces the viscosity of the bitumen permitting
bitumen collection in the lower well, which is then transported to the surface. In order for this process to occur, these two
parallel wells are drilled horizontally through the bituminous zone. Drilling through oil sands and bitumen formations has
proven to be difficult due to the unconsolidated, adhesive and tacky nature of the bitumen. Bitumen often adheres to the
drillstring causing torque and drag issues, stuck pipe, and blinding of the shaker screens or other solids control equipment.
Also, the inherent requirement to drill horizontally through these production zones in order to maximize the pay zone increases
the exposure of the drilling equipment to bitumen that leads to added friction and torque compared to that which is typically
encountered while drilling non-bitumen containing reservoirs.
There are several concerns when drilling in/through a bituminous zone, the most important being the management of the
highly adhesive cuttings produced during the drilling process. This includes controlling the adhesive properties of the bitumen
so that this material does not cause further issues while drilling. Two types of bitumen that are commonly encountered while
drilling are low-solids (i.e., Gulf of Mexico deepwater) and high-solids (i.e., oil sands) bitumen. When drilling through low-
solids bitumen, the bituminous cuttings are very pliable yet remain very viscous, which can cause many issues such as BHA
2 SPE 157836

accretion and screen blinding (Han 2008). Low-solids bitumen-containing wells are commonly drilled utilizing an oil-based
drilling fluid, which can disperse or emulsify the bitumen into the fluid, thereby causing several other undesirable issues with
the drilling fluid properties and affecting the ability to maintain a gauge hole (Zhang 2005). Dispersion of the bitumen into the
fluid also has a negative impact on the fluid properties as well as disposal costs. However, the low-solids bitumen often only
makes up a very small portion of the overall well depth in offshore drilling.
The high-solids bituminous zones encountered when drilling through the oil sand regions present a different set of
difficulties. In this region, the drillstring is purposefully directed horizontally through the high-solids bituminous zones, which
will later be produced. Higher quantities of bitumen are encountered that may increase the difficulty during the drilling
process. Also, the inherent nature of horizontal drilling increases the friction, thereby increasing torque and drag on the
drillstring. A tactic that has been used to help mitigate the accretion of bitumen while drilling these formations is the use of
solvents to disperse or emulsify the bitumen into the drilling fluid while drilling. By utilizing this method, the adhesive nature
of the bitumen is often mitigated; however, the drilling fluid properties are adversely affected. It is of particular interest to
utilize a low cost water-based mud (WBM) to drill these formations while also controlling the adhesive properties of the
bitumen, thereby producing screenable solids without peptization of the bitumen into the WBM. Accordingly, a bitumen
stabilizer was fully tested in the lab and utilized successfully in a field trial as outlined below.

Results and Discussion

Laboratory Accretion Testing of Canadian Oil Sands. Laboratory tests were first performed on field samples of bitumen
material obtained from a northern Alberta oil sand operation. Oil sands obtained were approximately 20-30% organic material
and 70-80% sand. A WBM was designed to achieve the necessary parameters for drilling the formation. Control studies were
first performed to simulate the accretion of bitumen on the downhole tubulars. This was achieved by hot-rolling bitumen for
16 hours with the WBM in a closed cell containing a steel bar to mimic the drillstring (Perez 2005). Monitoring the amount of
bitumen accretion on the steel bar as well as the fluid/bitumen characteristics permitted the examination of the bitumen
stabilizer effectiveness. When only the WBM is used with no additional bitumen stabilizer, significant amounts of bitumen
accrete to the steel bar (Table 1). This bitumen is not only stuck to the rod, but it tenaciously sticks to anything it contacts. The
material is extremely tacky and adhesive in nature (Fig. 1). Notice that the fluid is also heavily contaminated compared to the
original fluid, which is a light tan color. The contamination is the resulting dispersion or emulsification of bitumen into the
drilling fluid that is highly undesired as it causes potential environmental and rheological issues.

TABLE 1: REPRESENTATIVE WBM USED FOR LABORATORY TESTING AND FIELD APPLICATIONS.
Products Base
Water, bbl 0.97
3
Xantham gum, kg/m 2.5
3
Starch, kg/m 15
3
Caustic soda, kg/m 0.1
3
Bridging agent, kg/m 25
3
Corrosion inhibitor, L/m 15
3
Drill solids, kg/m 5

3
Fig. 1Untreated bitumen is extremely adhesive. Steel rod hot rolled with 245 kg/m oil sands in WBM at room temperature (~25C).

A novel bitumen stabilizer was added to the WBM system to control the adhesion of bitumen to the drillstring, and at the
same time produce screenable, non-adhesive cuttings. A series of trials were conducted to find the optimal operating
concentration. As can be seen in the images below, the bitumen was initially mechanically pressed to the steel bar, but was
easily removed with a slow stream of water. The bitumen was also rendered non-adhesive and pliable. The tar-like substance
SPE 157836 3

can be rinsed with water and dried while remaining non-adhesive, unlike the extremely adhesive untreated sample shown in
Fig. 1.
The bitumen stabilization polymer is amphiphilic and the hydrophobic region associates with the bitumen while the
hydrophilic region associates with the WBM. The amphiphilic properties of the polymer allow the bitumen to be stabilized in
such a way that mitigates the adhesive properties that are typically present during the mechanical simulation of the drilling
process.

3 3
Fig. 2Steel rod hot rolled with 245 kg/m oil sands in WBM at ~25C with 15 L/m bitumen stabilizer treatment. (Left) bitumen is
mechanically pressed to bar but is easily removed under a slow stream of water (right). Renders bitumen pliable and non-adhesive,
even after the bitumen was rinsed with water.

Utilizing a standard 15 L/m3 bitumen stabilizer treatment, accretion to the steel rod, as well as the adhesive nature of the
bitumen was mitigated. Without treatment, the bitumen covered the steel rod in 7.21 grams of extremely adhesive material
(Table 2). Once 15 L/m3 bitumen stabilizer was used as a treatment, the bitumen was rendered non-adhesive and pliable.
Approximately 10.64 grams of bitumen was initially mechanically pressed to the bar after the aging process, but was easily
removed with a slow stream of water. The treated bitumen remained non-adhesive even after rinsing with water and drying
the sample.

TABLE 2: BITUMEN STABILIZER TREATED AND UNTREATED AND UNTREATED SAMPLES ILLUSTRATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
THIS TREATMENT.
Sample Untreated Treated

120 120
WBM, mL
(0.34 bbl) (0.34 bbl)
3 245 245
Oil Sands, kg/m
(85.5 lb/bbl) (85.5 lb/bbl)
Hot Roll at ~25C, hrs 16 16
3 15
Bitumen Stabilizer, L/m 0
(5.3 lb/bbl)

Bitumen accretion mass, g 7.21 0.0

Additional testing was performed to examine if the bitumen accretion process was reversible, and to determine the
depletion point of the bitumen stabilizer treatment. An untreated sample was allowed to hot roll with 245 kg/m3 oil sands as
above in Table 2 (untreated). Once accretion occurred, the bitumen stabilizer treatment was added and the sample was allowed
to hot roll once again. All testing was performed at room temperature (~25C). The images in Fig. 3 illustrate that once
bitumen accretion has occurred (along with fluid contamination), the accretion and contamination can be reversed by adding
relatively small amounts of bitumen stabilizer.
4 SPE 157836

3
Fig. 3(Left) Untreated sample with accretion of bitumen to steel rod, as well as fluid contamination. (Right) After 15 L/m bitumen
stabilizer treatment showing reversal of accreted bitumen and cleaner fluid.

Also of great importance is the concern of the bitumen stabilizer treatment depletion. As the bitumen stabilizer interacts
with bituminous cuttings, it will be consumed and effectively removed from the fluid system. A series of experiments were
performed to examine the degree of depletion as well as reverse process once treatment has been consumed. Shown in Fig. 4
are a series of images with increasing amounts of oil sands added to the same sample over time. The same procedure above
was followed; a WBM was hot rolled with differing amounts of oil sands at room temperature for 16 hours with a steel rod.
In Fig. 4 ( A) 15 L/m3 bitumen stabilizer was added with 245 kg/m3 oil sands. The sample was allowed to hot roll for 16
hours and analyzed. No accretion occurred, and the fluid remained uncontaminated, a positive result. After the sample was
analyzed, the same sample was placed back in the rolling cell with an additional 245 kg/m3 oils sands and allowed to hot roll
for another 16 hours. No additional treatment was used. After day 2 ( B) no accretion occurred, and the fluid was not
contaminated. This sample also contained no additional treatment. Then to this sample, 245 kg/m3 more oil sands were added
and allowed to hot roll another 16 hours. At this point, heavy accretion occurred signaling the depletion of the bitumen
stabilizer in the fluid (C). After accretion occurred on day three, reversal testing once again commenced. An additional 15
L/m3 of the bitumen stabilizer treatment was added (with no additional oil sands) and allowed to hot roll for an additional 16
hours. This additional treatment reversed the accretion, restoring the fluid to its original state (D).

A B C D

3 3
Fig. 4A series of depletion tests. (A) Day one with 245 kg/m oil sands and 15 L/m bitumen stabilizer showing no accretion. (B) Day
3
two with an additional 245 kg/m oil sands added to day one and no additional treatment showing no accretion. (C) Day three with an
additional 85 lb/bbl oil sands added to day two with no additional treatment showing heavy accretion and depletion of treatment. (D)
3
Day four with no additional oil sands and 15 L/m treatment showing a reversal in accretion and effective treatment.

Field Application. Field trials were performed during a northern Alberta oil sands operation. The customized fluid solution
for bitumen stabilization was introduced at approximately 100-200 meters for several different wells. The first ~100-200
meters of these injector wells were drilled with a flocculated water mud, and then switched on the fly to the bitumen
stabilizing WBM. Eight horizontal sections for a total of 7,884 meters and 11 intermediate sections for a total of 5,826 meters
were drilled using the bitumen stabilizer formulation. Table 3 includes three representative wells that show the total measured
depth as well as the maximum deviation of the horizontal sections. Bottom hole temperatures (BHT) were consistently around
35-45C.
SPE 157836 5

TABLE 3: THREE REPRESENTATIVE WELLS SHOWING TYPICAL DISTANCES AND ANGLES DRILLED WITH BITUMEN STABILIZER.
#1 #2 #3
Days on Well 9 8 8
Average ROP, m/hr 27.9 21.5 26.0
Total Measured Depth, m 1771.0 1696.0 1538.0
True Vertical Depth, m 393.4 399.0 392.0
Distance Drilled, m 1771.0 1568.0 1410.0
Maximum Deviation, 90.19 91.60 90.40
Horizontal Displacement, m 1729.0 1150.0 1488.0
BHT, C 35 42 37
Max Oil Content, % 2.0 2.5 1.5

The customized fluid solution for bitumen stabilization included the fluid formulation listed above in Table 1, with
addition of approximately 10 L/m3 bitumen stabilization additive. Appropriate bitumen stabilizer additive concentrations were
maintained by monitoring the properties of the drilling fluid along with the appearance and properties of the cuttings coming
over the shaker screens. Retorts were performed on a regular basis to examine and monitor the oil content, as well as the solids
content in the drilling fluid. Given that the drilling fluid is a WBM, there are no other products added (other than the bitumen
stabilizer) that would retort as oil. This allows the emulsification of any bitumen into the fluid to be closely monitored. At all
times, the drilling fluid should contain an oil content of approximately 1-2% oil, from the bitumen stabilizer additive. This
level should be monitored, and any addition to these levels could account for bitumen emulsification into the fluid. The
appearance and properties of the bituminous cuttings should also be monitored from the shaker screens on the solids control
equipment. Representative images of bituminous cuttings being screened over solids control equipment are shown in Fig. 5.
The cuttings should remain non-adhesive and easily screenable with proper treatment levels. The mitigation of the adhesive
nature of the bituminous cuttings also allows the operator to drill with substantially decreased torque and drag, which was the
case while drilling with the bitumen stabilizer treatment.
With a properly treated fluid, the bituminous cuttings should easily pass over the shaker screens without fouling or blinding
them. The cuttings should also be relatively non-adhesive. The drillstring was also closely monitored for accretion and/or
torque and drag issues. By monitoring these properties, effective additions of bitumen stabilization additive can be made to the
fluid system, since the bitumen stabilizer is consumed by the cuttings.

Fig. 5Representative images of bituminous cuttings freely flowing over a shaker screen.

Conclusion
A customized fluid solution has been developed by utilizing a bitumen stabilization additive to mitigate the adhesive nature of
Canadian oil sands. This novel solution produces non-adhesive, screenable bituminous cuttings that are easily separated from
the drilling fluid by conventional solids control equipment. This treatment also mitigates the accretion of bitumen to downhole
tubulars, thereby reducing the torque and drag traditionally seen with drilling horizontally through bitumen rich zones.
Excellent lab results and field performance have validated the effectiveness of the bitumen stabilization additive used in this
drilling fluid. The success of this additive gives operators alternatives that are more environmentally friendly and offer
potential economic advantages compared to traditional bitumen anti-accretion additives. The developed bitumen stabilization
additive and concept could potentially be used as a global solution for drilling through low- and high solids heavy oil deposits.

Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Halliburton for the permission to publish these findings and SPE for the opportunity to present
this paper.
6 SPE 157836

References
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