Recognition of Artificial Gases Formed during Drill-Bit Metamorphism Using Advanced Mud Gas

Janaina Andrade de Lima Leon (), Henrique Luiz de Barros Penteado, Geoffrey S. Ellis, Alexei Milkov and João Graciano Mendonça Filho
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Janaina Andrade de Lima Leon: Brazilian Petrol S/A—Petrobras, Rio de Janeiro 20031-912, Brazil
Henrique Luiz de Barros Penteado: Brazilian Petrol S/A—Petrobras, Rio de Janeiro 20031-912, Brazil
Geoffrey S. Ellis: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Denver, CO 80225, USA
Alexei Milkov: Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA
João Graciano Mendonça Filho: Department of Geological Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-916, Brazil

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-15

Abstract: Drill-bit metamorphism (DBM) is the process of thermal degradation of drilling fluid at the interface of the bit and rock due to the overheating of the bit. The heat generated by the drill when drilling into a rock formation promotes the generation of artificial hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gas, changing the composition of the gas. The objective of this work is to recognize and evaluate artificial gases originating from DBM in wells targeting oil accumulations in pre-salt carbonates in the Santos Basin, Brazil. For the evaluation, chromatographic data from advanced mud gas equipment, drilling parameters, drill type, and lithology were used. The molar concentrations of gases and gas ratios (especially ethene/ethene+ethane and dryness) were analyzed, which identified the occurrence of DBM. DBM is most severe when wells penetrate igneous and carbonate rocks with diamond-impregnated drill bits. The rate of penetration, weight on bit, and rotation per minute were evaluated together with gas data but did not present good correlations to assist in identifying DBM. The depth intervals over which artificial gases formed during DBM are recognized should not be used to infer pay zones or predict the composition and properties of reservoir fluids because the gas composition is completely changed.

Keywords: drill-bit metamorphism; advanced mud gas logging; drilling parameters; Santos Basin; pre-salt (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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