Troll Platform Proved Water-Based Drilling Fluids Work for Horizontal Drilling
At Chemstar, one of the projects we’re most proud of is the work we do for the Troll Platform. Located off the west coast of Norway, this natural gas drilling operation is tremendously important to the European economy. It’s also one of the first drilling projects to prove water-based drilling fluids can work for horizontal drilling.
The Troll Platform – An Engineering Wonder
If you’re not familiar with the Troll Platform, it’s really an engineering marvel. The Platform is a condeep offshore natural gas platform located off the west coast of Norway. At more than 1,500 feet tall and weighing 683,600 tons, it has the distinction of being the tallest structure ever moved by mankind. In 1996 the platform set the Guinness World Record for “largest offshore gas platform.” You can watch a video on how it was constructed – it’s truly an engineering masterpiece.
The Troll Platform is also extremely important to the European economy, as it currently supplies approximately 15% of the natural gas used throughout Europe.
Proof Water-Based Drilling Fluids Work for Horizontal Drilling
We became involved with the drilling activities through our relationship with a major drilling fluid service company who provided the drilling fluids and engineering for the platform. Chemstar’s developmental partnership with TBC (now TBC-Brinadd) in Houston, TX was key. TBC originally contacted us in search of a solution to improve their drilling completion fluid formulation. Using our combined knowledge of thixotropy (or shear thinning), we developed a starch polymer formulation that, when added to TBC’s completion fluid, was able to not only power the turbine but also the drill bit of a horizontal drilling operation. The engineers at the drilling fluid service company recognized the value of this system and decided to employ the technology on the Troll Platform. The beauty is once the gel-like fluid hits the shear forces of the drill bit it thins like water, and when removed from those forces it returns to a gel like state. It then floats drilled cuttings up the pipe where they are removed at the surface and the fluid recirculated.
Once completion operations were evaluated, STATOIL (the owner of the platform and lease) was able to conclude that production was enhanced as a result of using this type of fluid.
We didn’t necessarily realize it at the time, but we were on the cusp of a whole new drilling technology. Our formulation helped prove horizontal drilling can be done with water-based drilling fluids.
Environmental Advantages of Water-Based Drilling Fluids
Another important aspect of the Troll Platform is the environmental sensitivity of the project. Due in large part to environmental concerns and regulations, water-based drilling fluids were required for the Troll Platform. This is where Chemstar’s starch-based solutions really shine. Because our products are developed from American-grown corn and potatoes, they are among the most environmentally-friendly in the world.
The Power of Partnership
When we first started working with TBC, we had no idea our solution would be used for such an important project. Our first shipment was for 40,000 lbs. of our starch-based polymer. At the time it cost more to ship the product than the product was worth. But soon we were making steady shipments, and we continue to supply products to the Troll Platform today. Chemstar’s starch-based formulation continues to be used by TBC-Brinadd in its multiple drilling system fluid products on a world-wide basis.
This project is a great example of how we can partner with other companies to put our science to work to achieve amazing results.
-Bruce Hanshaw
Business Manager, Global Oil & Gas Applications