Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Solids Control - Introduction
Solids Control - Introduction
Solids present in the mud will directly affect mud and well costs, and can affect drilling rates, hydraulics, rig equipment, and is also a major cause of
stuck pipe and lost circulation.
Volume, size and type of solids present in the mud can influence the:
mudgradient
viscosity and gel strengths
fluid loss
filter cake.
Mechanical Treatment
Solids contamination of drilling fluids is the single most costly mud control problem. Mechanical treatment is the most economical means of treatment
and must begin immediately drilling commences rather than to delay until the mud properties start to deteriorate as this will result in the requirement for
dilution or treatment with costly chemicals.
Solids Removal Equipment
The following table lists solids removal equipment which is commonly used, along with the range of mud gradient with which each may be applied.
Equipment LGS Particle Size (Microns) Mud Gradient (ppg)
Linear Motion Shaker 1150 down to 74 All
Desander Down to 75 Unweighted
Desilter Down to 50 Unweighted
Mud Cleaner 74 (200 mesh) discarded All
Centrifuge 3 - 5 All