Further to this a viscous filtrate is produced which slows water penetration

into the formation.

The requirement for PHPA is dependent on the types of formations to be
drilled and the ROP experienced. PHPA will be depleted constantly and once
a new system has been circulated into the well and initial screening problems
have passed the concentration should rapidly be increased to program
requirements.
As drilling continues it will be necessary to constantly add PHPA to maintain
levels and hence optimise the inhibitive environment.
Regular monitoring is required to ensure sufficient free polymer is available
in the fluid achieve the expected results. The test involves connecting two
Erlenmeyer flasks with a rubber tube. One flask contains the sample to be
tested and the other a mixture of boric acid and methyl red indicator. At the
end of the test the acid / indicator mix is titrated to determine the amount of
PHPA that was in the sample.

Hot plate magnetic stirrer

2 x 125 ml Erlenmeyer flasks
Magnetic stirring bar
Distilled water
2% by weight Boric acid solution
Methyl red indicator
6 N Sodium Hydroxide solution
2 - 3 ft (0.6 - 0.9m) of Tygon tubing
#6 rubber stopper with a 1/4 hole
0.02 N sulphuric acid solution
Silicon defoamer (i.e. Dow-Corning 84, AFC-78)
2 x 1/4 OD glass tubing each 3 or 4 inches (7.5 - 10 cm) long

procedure
1) Attach the two glass tubes to the ends of the Tygon tubing and fit one
of them into the rubber stopper so the end of the tube just fits flush with
the bottom of the stopper.
2) It is important the glass tubing be flush with the bottom of the rubber
stopper. If the glass tube protrudes below the stopper the caustic solution
being distilled will collect around the exposed tube and be sucked up and
over to the boric acid solution. This will lead to erroneous results.
3) To one flask add 25 ml of the Boric acid solution and 6 drops of methyl red
indicator. The solution will turn a red / pink colour.
4) To the other flask add 50 mls of distilled water, 2 ml of silicone defoamer
and 5 mls of whole mud.
5) If foaming is a problem, or the mud bumps over, more defoamer can be
used for the next test.
6) Place the flask containing the mud on the hot plate/stirrer and begin
stirring.
7) Add 3 mls of 6N sodium hydroxide solution and immediately fit the flask
with the rubber stopper.
8) Submerse the other end of the tubing into the boric acid/methyl red
solution and begin heating the mud sample.
9) Ensure the receiving flask is at a lower level than the one being heated to
allow the distillate to run downhill.

If an ammonia
odor is detected
as the solution
in the flask boils,
immediately
stop the test. An
ammonia odor
indicates leakage
from the flask

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