SPE 50692
A Method for Determination of the Permeability of the Filter Cake at Wellsite
Mahesh S. Rautela
Copyright 2000, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
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Abstract
The permeability of the filter cake controls both static and
dynamic filtration. In this paper alternative method is given
for determining permeability of the filter cake at the well site .
In this method oil-water retort kit distillation results are used
for determining the filter cake volume.
Introduction:
During drilling a well the hydrostatic pressure of the mud
column is kept greater than the pressure of the formation . As
a result mud filtered out onto the walls of the hole, forming a
cake of relatively low permeability, though which only filtrate
can pass .In order to maintain a stable hole and to minimize
filtrate invasion of and damage productivity horizons cake
permeability is kept low. High cake permeability results in
thick filter cakes, which cause various problems, such as
excessive torque, drag, high swab and surge pressures and
sticking of pipes.
Theory:
The permeability of filter cake is of vital importance in
controlling downhole static and dynamic filtration behavior of
the drilling fluid.
The permeability of the filter cake is expressed as1
µ pressure assembly (if gas is not used as pressure source) is
K = Qw Qc --------------------- -----(1)
2 t p A2
Where
K = permeability in Darcies
Qw= Filtrate volume in cm3
Qc = Volume of the cake in cm3
µ = Viscosity of the filtrate in centipoises
t = time in second
p = differential pressure in atmospheres
A = area of the filter cake in cm3
By using conventional filter press data equation (1) becomes
K = Qw Qc µ X 1.99 X 10 md (2)
To determine cake volume Von Engelhardt and Schindewolf
method1-2 is used which is as follows :-
“ Only a limited amount of mud is put in the filtration cell,
and filtration is stopped at the moment all the mud is used up,
so that only filter cake remains in the cell. The critical moment
to stop filtration is determined by observing the filtrate volume
at short intervals. Filtration is stopped immediately when the
curve departs from linearity. The total volume of mud filtered
is calculated from the combine weight of the filtrate plus cake,
divided by the density of the original mud. The cake volume is
then obtained by substracting the filtrate volume from the
volume of mud filtered”.
Following method can also be used for determining the
permeability of the filter cake at the well-site where
accuracy is not so important.
Method:
Initially water loss is taken for 30 minutes by conventional
water loss apparatus. In this way filter cake is obtained and
unused mud from the filter cell is decanted off. Then the
filter cell is washed and rinsed with diesel oil with filter
cake intact in its original position. The filter cell is filled
up with diesel oil and water of the dead weight hydraulic
replaced by diesel oil. Now filter cell is pressurized and
filtrate is collected. Initially only water comes and then
diesel oil with a little associated water filters out. Lastly
only diesel oil filters out. At this point the volume of water
from the mud cake is recorded ( Dean and stark method
can also be used to obtain volume of water from the mud
cake). Now oil- water retort kit distillation results for the
same mud are correlated with the results obtained from the
above experiment i. e. water loss and water of the mud
cake.
2 MAHESH S. RAUTELA SPE 50692

In this way the volume of solids associated with filter cake Acknowledgments:- The author is grateful to shri J. M.
is obtained. Now volume of solids associated with filter Joshi, GGM,IRS, ONGC, Ahmedabad for cooperation and
cake plus volume of water from mud cake give the volume guidance.
of mud cake.
References :-

1. G. R. Gray and H.C.H. Darley, “Composition and

Example (Experimental): - Properties of Oil Well Drilling Fluid” ( v Edition ) p. 286-
289
Water loss (30 minutes) = 8.8 cm3
2. Von Engelhardt, W. and Schindervolf E. “ The
Volume of water from mud cake (after pressing with diesel Filtration of Clay Suspensions.” Koloid Z., vol. 127 (1952)
oil) = 4.2cm3 pp. 150 - 164

Oil – water retort kit distillation results: -

Solids = 14% (v/v)

Water = 86%

So 86% water is associated with 14 cm3 of solids.

Therefore 13 cm3 water (8.8 cm3 water loss plus 4.2 cm3 water
from mud cake) will be associated with 14 x 13 / 86 cm3 =
2.11 cm3 solids

Cake volume = (4.2 + 2.11) cm3 = 6.31 cm3

K = 8.8 x 6.31 x 1 x 1.99 x 10-3 md ( by equation (2 ))

= 111 x 10-3 md

With fresh water muds µ is approximately one centipoises

at 20 0C.