Abstract

Physicochemical properties of aphron drilling fluids

Author(s): Xin-MinWua, Yong-Li Yanb

Colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs) were first reported by Sebba asmicro bubbles (25-125m), composed of a gaseous inner core surrounded by a thin surfactant film, which are created by intense stirring of a surfactant solution. Since then, these colloidal dispersions have been used for diverse applications, with a particular focus on separation processes. However, exploitation of CGAs in petroleum industry is only an outset, which was first used inwestTexas in 1998, calledAphron drilling fluid. This fluid is characterized as having in its continuous phase, high viscosity at low shear rate and containing, as internal phase, micro air or gas bubbles, non coalescing and recirculateable. In this paper, we illuminate the physical and chemical properties of aphron drilling fluid and its processing mechanism.