A novel process for recycling polysaccharide-viscosified brine completion fluids was developed. The process uses oxidants generated directly in the used brine by electrolysis to "break" the viscosity. The treated brines can be filtered with conventional equipment, reviscosified, and reused. The process has been applied on a laboratory scale to Br-/Cl- brines containing Na+, K+, Ca+2, and Zn+2 cations. Calculations with information from pilot-scale tests on NaBr/NaCl brines indicate that the process should be attractive economically.

Keywords:
drilling fluid chemistry, drilling fluid formulation, Brine, oxidant dose, drilling fluid selection and formulation, Upstream Oil & Gas, concentration, brine completion fluid, drilling fluids and materials, polymer
Subjects:
Completion fluids, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Drilling Fluids and Materials, Completion Fluids and Materials
Copyright 1990, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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