Activation of a dewatering well with clay mineral disintegration agent SKINAUT

Abstract

The drilling of hydrogeological boreholes by rotary methods and with the use of drilling mud impairs the permeability of water-bearing rocks in the near-hole zone. This is mainly caused by the penetration of solids and mud filtrate into the pores or fractures of the drilled rocks. Consequently, the depression increases and the hydraulic efficiency of the borehole drops, leading to the reduction of well productivity.

As a means of improving the damaged permeability of rocks in the near-hole zone, a clay mineral disintegration agent called SKINAUT was developed and patented [9]. To evaluate its effectiveness in industrial conditions, a test was carried out to activate a dewatering borehole for intaking water from loose formations at the Szczerców open cast. The applied chemical helped to decolmatate the pore medium and lower the hydraulic resistance of the borehole, resulting in a reduction in depression and a significant improvement of its hydraulic efficiency.