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What is Yellow Glue for Drilling Fluid and How Does It Work?
2023/4/26
Yellow glue for drilling fluid is a type of drilling fluid additive that can improve the performance and efficiency of drilling operations by enhancing the fluid loss control and shale inhibition properties of the drilling fluid. Yellow glue for drilling fluid can also be called as yellow mud, yellow gum, or yellow powder, depending on its form and appearance.
Yellow glue for drilling fluid can have various benefits for drilling operations, such as:
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It can reduce the fluid loss and filtrate invasion of the drilling fluid, which can prevent formation damage, wellbore instability, and differential sticking problems.
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It can enhance the shale inhibition and wellbore strengthening properties of the drilling fluid, which can prevent shale hydration, dispersion, swelling, and collapse.
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It can improve the lubricity and rheology of the drilling fluid, which can reduce torque and drag, friction, and wear of the drill string and bit.
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It can modify the wettability and emulsification of the drilling fluid, which can improve the oil recovery, water control, and corrosion inhibition of the drilling fluid.
Yellow glue for drilling fluid is composed of natural or synthetic polymers that have high molecular weight and high viscosity. The main component of yellow glue for drilling fluid is polyacrylamide (PAM), which is a synthetic polymer that can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules and other polymers. Other components of yellow glue for drilling fluid may include starch, cellulose, guar gum, xanthan gum, etc., which are natural polymers that can also form hydrogen bonds with water molecules and other polymers.
Yellow glue for drilling fluid works by following different mechanisms depending on its type and function, such as:
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Hydrogen bonding: This is a type of intermolecular force that occurs between molecules that have hydrogen atoms bonded to electronegative atoms (such as oxygen or nitrogen). Hydrogen bonding can increase the viscosity and gel strength of the drilling fluid by forming cross-links between polymer chains or between polymer chains and water molecules.
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Electrostatic attraction: This is a type of intermolecular force that occurs between molecules that have opposite charges (such as cations and anions). Electrostatic attraction can reduce the fluid loss and filtrate invasion of the drilling fluid by forming ionic bonds between polymer chains or between polymer chains and metal ions.
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Van der Waals forces: This is a type of intermolecular force that occurs between molecules that have temporary or permanent dipoles (such as polar or non-polar molecules). Van der Waals forces can enhance the shale inhibition and wellbore strengthening properties of the drilling fluid by forming weak attractions between polymer chains or between polymer chains and solid particles.
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Physical entanglement: This is a type of physical interaction that occurs between long-chain molecules that have high molecular weight (such as polymers). Physical entanglement can improve the lubricity and rheology of the drilling fluid by forming knots or loops between polymer chains or between polymer chains and solid particles.
Yellow glue for drilling fluid is an important component of drilling fluid that can improve the performance and efficiency of drilling operations by enhancing the fluid loss control and shale inhibition properties of the drilling fluid. Yellow glue for drilling fluid is composed of natural or synthetic polymers that have high molecular weight and high viscosity. The main component of yellow glue for drilling fluid is polyacrylamide (PAM), which can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules and other polymers. Yellow glue for drilling fluid works by following different mechanisms depending on its type and function, such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, van der Waals forces, and physical entanglement. Yellow glue for drilling fluid is a valuable tool for enhancing oil and gas recovery from conventional and unconventional resources.