Description

The elegant and robust FDS 350 quantifies the effects of drilling fluids on the formation by tangentially circulating drilling mud on one of the flat faces of a cylindrical core sample at reservoir- representative conditions. Specifically, the versatile device can perform static filtration tests, mud invasion evaluation, and stimulation tests. Furthermore, liquid can be injected through the core to determine the mud’s effects on absolute permeability. An ample range of fluids can be studied with this apparatus: water and oil-based muds, cement effluents, chemical wash treatment fluids and acid, corrosive treatment fluids. Initial permeability, return permeability, brine sensitivity, critical flow velocity, acid stimulation, mud filtrate invasion make up some of the key parameters monitored by this this system. Realistic drilling mud flow is achieved by virtue of a unique, heated mud recirculation pump warranting dynamic filtration tests and the quantification of erosion effects induced by the abrasive fluids flowing across the core face. The automated system is controlled by a provided Vinci proprietary software that allows both manual and automatic operation; all key components can be controlled, i.e. pumps, valves and data acquisition components. A sequencer also permits automatic, pre-programmed operating schedules. The core holder, air operated valves, mud pump and necessary plumbing are mounted in an isothermal air bath whose design allows easy access to all components.