The importance of implementing proper mixing procedures in the preparation of HEC and corn starch mixtures for controlling fluid loss

Abstract

This paper discusses the prospect of utilising the corn starch and hydroxyetil cellulose (HEC) mixture as fluid loss control agent in workover fluid. Prior to conducting the experiment, workover fluid sample was prepared by mixing corn starch with HEC, the standard fluid loss control agent used in the petroleum industry, via the Baroid multimixer. Two basic tests, namely the rheological properties and fluid loss, were conducted on the sample. The experimental results of fluid loss tests could reveal the ability of the sample to control fluid loss, a phenomenon which might lead to the pipe sticking and clay swelling problems, reduction of permeability in the vicinity of the borehole, etc. In this paper, the importance of executing proper mixing procedures in the research study in order to prevent the formation of fish eyes or the corn starch from settling at the bottom of test cup will also be highlighted.