Paper: Taking Care of Your Redbed Problems

This paper summarizes the evolution of a polymer drilling fluid that was developed for drilling through the sticky redbeds of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. The polymer is not a new chemical; however, it has not been used previously for drilling through the swelling redbeds found throughout most of the Permian Basin. Advantages and disadvantages as well as problems encountered while using the polymer drilling fluid are pointed out and discussed. Data obtained from actual field drilling operations are used to compare the polymer drilling fluid with various conventional drilling fluids usually employed. Results presented emphasize the importance of the polymer drilling fluid in effectively eliminating the severe problem of drilling through the redbeds at a cost lower than or comparable to that of conventional drilling fluids normally used.