Abstract: Eliminating drilling mud and other solids from surface equipment of a well system (e.g. offshore platform) which is to receive solids-free completion and packer fluids having an affinity to entrain residual solids. These solids are mechanically removed (where possibly by scrapers, squeeging, etc.), and then the surface equipment is washed with water to carry the solids to a convenient disposal. Clean water is placed into the surface equipment and added to it are a surfactant and alcohol to produce a treated water. The treated water is circulated at turbulent (high shear) flowing conditions through the surface equipment. The treated water with entrained solids is removed to a suitable disposal by displacement with clean water whereby the surface equipment is sufficiently free of solids to avoid contamination of completion or packer fluids introduced thereinto.

Abstract: An improved displacement process for eliminating drilling mud (solids and oil) from a well system prior to introduction of solids-free completion and packer brine. Clean water is circulated in the well system to remove and carry the major portion of the drilling mud. A treated water is prepared from a surfactant and alcohol admixed in clean water. Without interrupting circulation, the treated water displaces the clean water carrying drilling mud from the well system. Circulation of the treated water continues in the well system in which the brine is to be received until substantially all of the drilling mud is carried in the circulating treated water. Again without interrupting circulation, the treated water is displaced from the well system to a suitable disposal region with solids-free clean water. Lastly, the solids-free clean water is displaced from the well system with the solids-free brine.RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONChemically Cleaning Drilling/Completion/Packer Brines; Ser. No. 310,653, filed Oct.