Application of Response Surface Methodology and Box–Behnken Design for the Optimization of the Stability of Fibrous Dispersion Used in Drilling and Completion Operations
Mohammed Alhajabdalla, Husameldin Mahmoud, Mustafa S. Nasser, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein, Ramadan Ahmed, Hamidreza Karami
Abstract
≥ 0.91-0.99. The sensitivity analysis showed that base fluid polymer concentration is the most significant factor affecting fibrous suspension stability. At high polymer concentrations, fiber concentration and temperature effects are minimal, while the temperature effect on the stability was observed at low concentrations (e.g., low suspension viscosities). The fiber aspect ratio indirectly affects system stability. Long fibers have a better tendency to entangle and form a structured network, which in turn hinders the buoyancy that induces individual fiber migration. On the contrary, short fibers do not form a network, allowing them to easily migrate to the surface and agglomerate at the top layer (unstable region). Optimization results revealed that suspensions with viscosities above 50 mPa·s are sufficient to maintain the stability of the suspensions at ambient (25 °C) and elevated (80 °C) temperatures.