High temperature gravel packing fluid system
A high density carrier fluid for use in placing a gravel pack within a wellbore includes a modified starch, a magnesium oxide, and a nano-crystalline-cellulose having a median diameter of about 20 nanometers or less. The carrier fluid includes an aqueous base fluid and dissolved salts. Related methods include methods of making and using the carrier fluids.
1 . A composition for use in placing a gravel pack within a wellbore, the composition comprising:
a modified starch having a concentration between about 5 pounds per barrel (ppb) and about 15 ppb;
magnesium oxide;
a nano-crystalline-cellulose having a median diameter of about 20 nanometers or less, the nano-crystalline-cellulose having a concentration between about 0.5 ppb and about 12 ppb;
an aqueous carrier fluid including at least one salt, wherein the at least one salt includes two or more of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, or zinc bromide; and
gravel having a concentration between about 0.5 pounds per gallon and about 10 pounds per gallon.
2 . The composition of claim 1 ,
wherein the magnesium oxide has a concentration between about 2 ppb and about 12 ppb.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the at least one salt has a concentration between about 250 ppb and about 700 ppb and a water of the aqueous carrier fluid has a concentration between about 140 ppb and about 225 ppb.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the gravel has a concentration of about 2 pounds per gallon to about 4 pounds per gallon.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the modified starch has a median particle size of about 120 microns or less.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the magnesium oxide has a median diameter of about 20 microns or less.
7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the nano-crystalline-cellulose has a degree of crystallinity ranging from about 50% to about 100%.
8 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising an amine-based additive, the amine-based additive having a concentration between about 0.5 ppb and about 8 ppb.
9 . The composition of claim 8 , wherein the amine-based additive is an amine-based temperature stabilizer.
10 . A method of preparing a slurry for a gravel packing fluid, the method comprising:
obtaining a modified starch, a magnesium oxide, a nano-crystalline-cellulose having a median diameter of about 20 nanometers or less, and a carrier fluid, the carrier fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and at least one salt, wherein the at least one salt includes two or more of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, or zine bromide;
mixing the modified starch, the magnesium oxide, and the nano-crystalline-cellulose into the carrier fluid to form the slurry, the modified starch having a concentration between about 5 pounds per barrel (ppb) and about 15 ppb and the nano-crystalline cellulose having a concentration between about 0.5 ppb and about 12 ppb; and
suspending particles in the slurry, the particles including gravel having a concentration between about 0.5 pounds per gallon and about 10 pounds per gallon.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
heating the carrier fluid; and
resting the carrier fluid for at least 24 hours.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein:
the at least one salt has a concentration between about 250 ppb and about 700 ppb; and
the magnesium oxide has a concentration between about 2 ppb and about 12 ppb.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the modified starch has a median particle size of about 110 microns or less, the magnesium oxide has a median diameter of about 20 microns or less, and the nano-crystalline-cellulose has a median diameter of about 20 nanometers or less.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the nano-crystalline-cellulose has a degree of crystallinity ranging from about 50% to about 100%.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the gravel is present in a concentration between about 2 pounds per gallon and about 4 pounds per gallon.
16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising adding an amine-based additive to the aqueous base fluid, the amine-based additive having a concentration between about 0.5 ppb and about 8 ppb.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the amine-based additive is an amine-based temperature stabilizer.
18 . A method of placing a gravel pack in a formation, the method comprising:
providing slurry including a carrier fluid and particles suspended in the carrier fluid, the carrier fluid comprising a modified starch, a magnesium oxide, a nano-crystalline-cellulose having a median diameter of about 20 nanometers or less, and a base fluid, the base fluid comprising at least one salt and one or more of a water, sea water, or aqueous solution, wherein the at least one salt includes at least two of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, or zinc bromide, and wherein the modified starch has a concentration between about 5 pounds per barrel (ppb) and about 15 ppb, the nano-crystalline-cellulose has a concentration between about 0.5 ppb and about 12 ppb, and the particles include gravel having a concentration between about 0.5 pounds per gallon and about 10 pounds per gallon; and
placing the slurry within the formation to create a gravel pack.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the slurry further comprises an amine-based temperature stabilizer, the amine-based temperature stabilizer having a concentration between about 0.5 ppb and about 8 ppb;
the at least one salt has a concentration between about 250 ppb and about 700 ppb; and
the magnesium oxide has a concentration between about 2 ppb and about 12 ppb.
20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the modified starch has a median particle size of about 110 microns or less and the magnesium oxide has a median diameter of about 20 microns or less.