Drilling Fluid/Mud

drilling fluid is a fluid used to drill boreholes into the earth.

With the different additives, the drilling fluid is also called the drilling mud.

The drilling fluid is basically the suspension of solids in the liquid phase.

Types of Drilling Fluid

The three main categories of drilling fluids are:

water-based muds (which can be dispersed and nondispersed), non-aqueous muds, usually called oil-based mud, and gaseous drilling fluid, in which a wide range of gases can be used.

Gaseous Drilling Fluids

Air: Compressed air is pumped either down the bore hole's annular space or down the drill string itself. Air/water: The same as above, with water added to increase viscosity, flush the hole, provide more cooling, and/or to control dust.

Air/polymer: A specially formulated chemical, most often referred to as a type of polymer, is added to the water & air mixture to create specific conditions. A foaming agent is a good example of a polymer.

Water Based Muds

Water Based Muds consist of four components : 1, Liquid water, which is continuous phase and is used to provide initial viscosity. 2, Reactive fractions to provide further viscosity. 3, inert fractions to provide the required mud weight. 4, Chemical additives to control mud properties.

Oil Based Muds

Oil-based mud can be a mud where the base fluid is a petroleum product such as diesel fuel. Oil-based muds are used for many reasons, some being increased lubricity, enhanced shale inhibition, and greater cleaning abilities with less viscosity .

Oil-based muds also withstand greater heat without breaking down.

Functions

1,Remove cuttings from well 2, Suspend and release cuttings 3,Control formation pressures 4,Seal permeable formations

Functions

5,Maintain well bore stability 6,Minimizing formation damage 7,Cool, lubricate, and support the bit and drilling assembly 8,Transmit hydraulic energy to tools and bit

Functions

9,Ensure adequate formation evaluation 10,Control corrosion (in acceptable level) 11,Facilitate cementing and completion

Mud System

Mud System

Mud Pits and Mud Pumps

Mud Pit