
科学技术与工程

中国技术经济学会
Prediction Method for Annular Pressure with Percolation under Solid Phase Deposition in Deepwater Wells of the South China Sea
Yi WU , Xing-quan ZHANG , Tian-wei ZHANG , Zhi ZHANG , Jian DING
Science Technology and Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (20) : 8483 -8489.
To mitigate the risk of annular pressure buildup caused by solid-phase deposition in the B and C annuli of deep-water wells, experimental tests were conducted on sedimentation behavior using common deep-water drilling fluid systems. The sedimentation height and post-settling solid-phase permeability of various drilling fluids were measured. Based on the parameters of solid phase percolation characteristics, and considering the impact of annular fluid solid deposition, a predictive analytical method was established for annular pressure under percolation conditions. Case analysis was conducted to validate the approach. Results show that the sedimentation height follows the order: oil-based drilling fluid > EZFLOW drilling fluid > HEM drilling fluid. In contrast, the post-settling solid-phase permeability is ranked as EZFLOW drilling fluid > HEM drilling fluid > oil-based drilling fluid, with a maximum permeability of 2.216 μm2. Under annular fluid solid-phase deposition conditions, reductions in annular fluid viscosity, increases in formation permeability, and longer open-hole cement sheath sections reduce fluid viscous resistance, enlarge the seepage contact area with the formation, and enhance fluid flow. Therefore, reducing drilling fluid viscosity and extending the open-hole cement sheath length can improve the pressure release capacity in the B and C annuli of deep-water wells. However, the presence of solid-phase deposition significantly restricts seepage flow rates compared to conditions without deposition, leading to a potential risk of incomplete pressure relief following solid-phase sedimentation.
deep wells / annular pressure / annulus fluid / solid phase deposition / seepage
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