ISO/TC 67/SC 3 - Drilling and completion fluids, well cements and treatment fluids

This document covers the physical properties, potential contaminants and test procedures for heavy brine fluids manufactured for use in oil and gas well drilling, completion, and workover fluids. This document supplements API RP 13J, 5th edition (2014), the requirements of which are applicable with the exceptions specified in this document. This document provides more suitable method descriptions for determining the formate brines pH, carbonate/bicarbonate concentrations and crystallization temperature at ambient pressure compared to the methods provided by API RP 13J, 5th edition (2014). This document is intended for the use of manufacturers, service companies and end-users of heavy brines.

This document provides procedures for testing well cements and cement blends for use in the petroleum and natural gas industries in a deepwater environment, or areas with a low seafloor temperature, or areas where low well temperatures exist. This document supplements API RP 10B-3, 2nd edition (2016), the requirements of which are applicable with the exceptions specified in this document. This document excludes the mitigation of shallow water flow in deepwater wells. NOTE This is addressed in API RP 65.

ISO 13503-6:2014 provides consistent methodology for measuring the fluid loss of completion fluids under dynamic conditions. ISO 13503-6:2014 is applicable to all completion fluids except those that react with porous media.

ISO 10414-2:2011 provides standard procedures for determining the following characteristics of oil-based drilling fluids: drilling fluid density (mud weight); viscosity and gel strength; filtration; oil, water and solids concentrations; alkalinity, chloride concentration and calcium concentration; electrical stability; lime and calcium concentrations, calcium chloride and sodium chloride concentrations; low-gravity solids and weighting material concentrations. The annexes provide additional test methods or examples that can optionally be used for the determination of: shear strength oil and water concentrations from cuttings; drilling fluid activity; aniline point; lime, salinity and solids concentration; sampling, inspection and rejection; rig-site sampling; cuttings activity; active sulphides; calibration and verification of glassware, thermometers, viscometers, retort kit cups and drilling fluid balances; permeability plugging apparatus with set-screw secured end cap; permeability plugging apparatus with threaded end cap; elastomer compatibility; sand content of oil-based fluid; identification and monitoring of weight-material sag; oil-based drilling fluid test report form.

ISO 13501:2011 specifies a standard procedure for assessing and modifying the performance of solids control equipment systems commonly used in the field in petroleum and natural gas drilling fluids processing. The procedure described in ISO 13501:2011 is not intended for the comparison of similar types of individual pieces of equipment.

ISO 10426-1:2009 specifies requirements and gives recommendations for six classes of well cements, including their chemical and physical requirements and procedures for physical testing. ISO 10426-1:2009 is applicable to well cement classes A, B, C and D, which are the products obtained by grinding Portland cement clinker and, if needed, calcium sulfate as an interground additive. Processing additives can be used in the manufacture of cement of these classes. Suitable set-modifying agents can be interground or blended during manufacture of class D cement. ISO 10426-1:2009 is also applicable to well cement classes G and H, which are the products obtained by grinding clinker with no additives other than one or more forms of calcium sulfate, water or chemical additives as required for chromium (VI) reduction.

ISO 13500:2008 covers physical properties and test procedures for materials manufactured for use in oil- and gas-well drilling fluids. The materials covered are barite, haematite, bentonite, nontreated bentonite, OCMA-grade bentonite, attapulgite, sepiolite, technical-grade low-viscosity carboxymethylcellulose (CMC‑LVT), technical-grade high-viscosity carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-HVT), starch, low-viscosity polyanionic cellulose (PAC-LV), high-viscosity polyanionic cellulose (PAC-HV) and drilling-grade Xanthomonas campestris (Xanthan gum). ISO 13500:2008 is intended for the use of manufacturers of named products.

ISO 10426-6:2008 specifies requirements and provides test methods for the determination of static gel strength of cement slurries and related materials under simulated well conditions.

ISO 10416:2008 provides procedures for the laboratory testing of both drilling-fluid materials and drilling-fluid physical, chemical and performance properties. It is applicable to both water-based and oil-based drilling fluids, as well as the base or “make-up” fluid. ISO 10416:2008 is not applicable as a detailed manual on drilling fluid control procedures. Recommendations regarding agitation and testing temperature are presented because the agitation history and temperature have a profound effect on drilling fluid properties.

ISO 10414-1:2008 provides standard procedures for determining the following characteristics of water-based drilling fluids: drilling fluid density (mud weight), viscosity and gel strength, filtration, water, oil and solids contents, sand content, methylene blue capacity, pH, alkalinity and lime content, chloride content and total hardness as calcium. ISO 10414-1:2008 provides additional test methods which may be used for chemical analysis for calcium, magnesium, calcium sulfate, sulfide, carbonate and potassium; determination of shear strength; determination of resistivity; removal of air drill-pipe corrosion; monitoring sampling, inspection and rejection rig-site sampling; calibration and verification of glassware, thermometers, viscometers, retort-kit cup and drilling-fluid balances; permeability-plugging testing at high temperature and high pressure for two types of equipment; and an example of a report form for water-based drilling fluid.

ISO 13503-2:2006 provides standard testing procedures for evaluating proppants used in hydraulic fracturing and gravel-packing operations. "Proppants" mentioned henceforth in ISO 13503-2:2006 refer to sand, ceramic media, resin-coated proppants, gravel-packing media and other materials used for hydraulic fracturing and gravel-packing operations. The objective of ISO 13503-2:2006 is to provide a consistent methodology for testing performed on hydraulic fracturing and/or gravel-packing proppants.

ISO 13503-4:2006 provides for consistent methodology to measure fluid loss of stimulation and gravelpack fluid under static conditions. However, the procedure in ISO 13503-4:2006 excludes fluids that react with porous media.

ISO 13503-5:2006 provides standard testing procedures for evaluating proppants used in hydraulic fracturing and gravel packing operations. ISO 13503-5:2006 provides a consistent methodology for testing performed on hydraulic fracturing and/or gravel packing proppants. The "proppants" mentioned henceforth in this part of ISO 13503-5:2006 refer to sand, ceramic media, resin-coated proppants, gravel packing media, and other materials used for hydraulic fracturing and gravel-packing operations. ISO 13503-5:2006 is not applicable for use in obtaining absolute values of proppant pack conductivities under downhole reservoir conditions.

ISO 10426-5:2004 provides the methods for the testing of well cement formulations to determine the dimension changes during the curing process (cement hydration) at atmospheric pressure only. This is a base document, because under real well cementing conditions shrinkage and expansion take place under pressure and different boundary conditions.

ISO 10427-2:2004 provides calculations for determining centralizer spacing, based on centralizer performance and desired standoff, in deviated and dogleg holes in wells for the petroleum and natural gas industries. It also provides a procedure for testing stop collars and reporting test results.

ISO 10426-4:2004 defines the methods for the generation and testing of foamed cement slurries and their corresponding unfoamed base cement slurries at atmospheric pressure.

ISO 10426-2:2003 specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the testing of cement slurries and related materials under simulated well conditions.

ISO 10427-3:2003 describes testing practices to evaluate the performance of cementing float equipment for the petroleum and natural gas industries. ISO 10427-3:2003 is applicable to float equipment that will be in contact with water-based fluids used for drilling and cementing wells. It is not applicable to float equipment performance in non-water-based fluids.

This part of ISO 10427 provides minimum performance requirements, test procedures and marking requirements for casing bow-spring centralizers for the petroleum and natural gas industries. The procedures provide verification testing for the manufacturer's design, materials and process specifications, and periodic testing to confirm the consistency of product performance. This part of ISO 10427 is not applicable to rigid or positive centralizers.

ISO 13500:2006 covers physical properties and test procedures for materials manufactured for use in oil-and gas-well drilling fluids. The materials covered are barite, haematite, bentonite, nontreated bentonite, OCMA grade bentonite, attapulgite, sepiolite, technical grade low-viscosity carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-LVT), technical grade high-viscosity carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-HVT), and starch. ISO 13500:2006 is intended for the use of manufacturers of named products.

ISO 10426-1:2005 specifies requirements and gives recommendations for eight classes of well cements, including their chemical and physical requirements and procedures for physical testing. ISO 10426-1:2005 is applicable to well cement classes A, B, C, D, E and F, which are the products obtained by grinding Portland cement clinker and, if needed, calcium sulfate as an interground additive. Processing additives can be used in the manufacture of cement of these classes. Suitable set-modifying agents can be interground or blended during manufacture of classes D, E and F. ISO 10426-1:2005 is also applicable to well cement classes G and H, which are the products obtained by grinding Portland cement clinker with no additives other than calcium sulfate or water.

ISO 13503-3:2005 covers the physical properties, potential contaminants and test procedures for heavy brine fluids manufactured for use in oil and gas well drilling, completion and workover fluids. ISO 13503-3:2005 provides methods for assessing the performance and physical characteristics of heavy brines for use in field operations. It includes procedures for evaluating the density or specific gravity, the clarity or amount of particulate matter carried in the brine, the crystallization point or the temperature (both ambient and under pressure) at which the brines make the transition between liquid and solid, the pH, and iron contamination. It also contains a discussion of gas hydrate formation and mitigation, brine viscosity, corrosion testing, buffering capacity and a standardised reporting form. ISO 13503-3:2005 is intended for the use of manufacturers, service companies and end-users of heavy brines.

ISO 13501:2005 provides a standard procedure for assessing and modifying performance of solids control equipment systems commonly used in the field in petroleum and natural gas drilling fluids processing. ISO 13501:2005 is not intended for the comparison of similar types of individual pieces of equipment.

ISO 13503-1:2003 provides consistent methodology for determining the viscosity of completion fluids used in the petroleum and natural gas industries. For certain cases, methods are also provided to determine the rheological properties of a fluid.

ISO 10426-3:2003 provides procedures for testing well cements and cement blends for use in the petroleum and natural gas industries in a deepwater environment.

ISO 10416:2002 provides procedures for the laboratory testing of both drilling fluid materials and drilling fluid physical, chemical and performance properties. It is applicable to both water-based and oil-based drilling fluids, as well as the base or make-up fluid. It is not intended as a detailed manual on drilling fluid control procedures. Recommendations regarding agitation and testing temperature are presented because the agitation history and temperature have a profound effect on drilling fluid properties.

ISO 10414-2:2002 provides standard procedures for determining the following characteristics of oil-based drilling fluids: drilling fluid density (mud weight); viscosity and gel strength; filtration; oil, water and solids contents; alkalinity, chloride content and calcium content; electrical stability; lime and calcium contents, calcium chloride and sodium chloride contents; low-gravity solids and weighting material contents. Additional test methods are given that may optionally be used for the determination of shear strength, oil and water contents from cuttings, drilling fluid activity, aniline point, cuttings activity, active sulfides. Procedures are also provided that may optionally be used for sampling, inspection and rejection, rig-site sampling, calibration and verification of glassware, thermometers, viscometers, retort kit cups and drilling fluid balances. Examples of calculations are given for lime, salinity and solids content.

Lays down the minimum requirements. Requirements are specified in the second edition of API Recommended Practice 10E (RP 10E), July 1987, which is adopted as ISO 10409. For the purposes of international standardization, modifications have been made that are outlined.

Specifies testing procedures to verify the manufacturer's design, the materials and process for the construction. Requirements are specified in the fourth edition of API Specification 10D (Spec 10D), Januar 1991, which is adopted as ISO 10427. For the purposes of international standardization, modifications have been made that are outlined.