Cost Analysis of Inhibitive Drilling Fluids

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to provide a better understanding of inhibitive water-based drilling fluid's central cost drivers. In this study a comparison of costs is provided between two polymer drilling fluid systems used to drill an oil well located in Hungary. In order to deliver fair cost analysis, several factors were considered that contribute to the overall drilling fluids costs, such as products, preparation, equipment, waste management, transportation, personnel, cost per foot drilled, and cost per barrel of the muds. Analysis results reflects on that the change of mud systems differentiates the costs, and also the expenses heavily depend on the consumed products, personnel, and utilized equipment. Other noticeable points which have been concluded from the study are that the cost per foot of KCl/Gypsum/Polymer is € 3.6 higher than the cost per foot generated by gypsum/polymer mud. Moreover, 42% of the total mud costs is given by the first drilled section of the well, while the second section constitutes 58%. Consequently, the overall cost of the mud used in the well was estimated as € 76,797.25 considering all the factors and well diameter. Finally, this research presents a statistical analysis that can be used as a reference for the subsequent perspective wells intended to be drilled at the same field.