Method of remediating bit balling using oxidizing agents

Abstract

A method of removing clay compounded on drilling equipment in a well that includes contacting the drilling equipment with a treatment fluid comprising an oxidizing agent. Methods disclosed also relate to drilling a wellbore though a clay-containing formation that includes drilling through the formation with a water-containing drilling fluid; reducing applied weight-on-bit when bit balling detected; emplacing a treatment fluid comprising an oxidizing agent to disrupt clay compounded on drilling equipment; and increasing weight-on-bit to continue drilling through the formation

1 . A method of removing clay compounded on drilling equipment in a well, comprising:
 contacting the drilling equipment with a treatment fluid comprising an oxidizing agent.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing agent comprises at least one peroxide. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing agent comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal percarbonates, alkali metal perborates, alkali metal persilicates, perphosphates and persulfates. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the oxidizing agent comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of sodium percarbonate, hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate, and sodium persilicate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one compound is sodium percarbonate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing agent is an encapsulated oxidizing agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the encapsulant is a styrene polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the encapsulated oxidizing agent is released upon a change in pH in the downhole environment. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing agent is an acid stabilized oxidizing agent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment fluid comprises from 0.0014 kg/L (0.5 lb/bbl) to 0.1427 kg/L (50 lb/bbl) of the oxidizing agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the treatment fluid comprises from 0.0143 kg/L (5 lb/bbl) to 0.1141 kg/L (40 lb/bbl) of the oxidizing agent. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 soaking the drilling equipment for a period of time sufficient to disrupt the compounded clay.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the drillstring is soaked in the treatment fluid for a duration of X to Y min. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 rotating the drilling equipment during the soaking.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 rotating the drilling equipment after the soaking.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 washing the remaining treatment fluid at the end of the treatment period.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the washing of the remaining treatment fluid is done while rotating the drilling equipment. 
     
     
         18 . A method of drilling a wellbore though a clay-containing formation, comprising:
 drilling through the formation with a water-containing drilling fluid;   reducing applied weight-on-bit when bit balling detected;   emplacing a treatment fluid comprising an oxidizing agent to disrupt clay compounded on drilling equipment; and   increasing weight-on-bit to continue drilling through the formation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 soaking the drilling equipment for a period of time sufficient to disrupt the compounded clay.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 rotating the drilling equipment without applied weight-on-bit.