Oil Based Drill Mud Contamination

Reservoir Production Evaluation by Gas Chromatography Testing

Reservoir Sample Accuracy from Intertek Brings Significant Benefits:

• Immediately assess the prospectivity of the reservoir formation tested
• Determine the value of the reservoir from true and accurate sample testing

Drill Mud Contamination Analysis:

Intertek utilizes gas chromatography techniques (GC) to determine the true nature of formation oil recovered and the degree of contamination by oil based mud. Drilling clients need to determine if oil recovered during a series of Repeat Formation Tests (RFT) was naturally occurring formation fluid or oil based mud, and if both were present, the degree of contamination from the drill mud.

The cost benefits of using oil-based mud can be significant, but the effect on the quality of formation fluid samples recovered during RFT testing of potential reservoirs is considerable. Evaluating the results of testing can be difficult if the potential for sample contamination by drilling fluid is not well understood.

Through conducting a series of whole oil gas chromatography analyses on base oil used to make up the drilling mud and the RFT fluid itself, Intertek scientists can determine the true nature of the base oil and reservoir formation fluid. This allowes the lab to detect contamination, if any received, from the mud drilling fluid.

Benefits from Clear and Accurate Measurements:

Through Intertek sampling studies, E&P clients are able to immediately assess the prospectivity of the reservoir formation tested. Intertek determines the degree of contamination of oil based drill mud, and provide detailed testing on crude oil that proved to be naturally occurring hydrocarbons. The client will able to determine the value of the reservoir from true and accurate sample testing conducted by Intertek.