Questions: S3P3 Well Fluid systems.

Candidate (print name) Received by Name (print) Signature & date

mentor:
W.Rensink

1) Calculate the required input power, in kW and in HHP, for a triplex single-acting pump, given the
following:

Cylinder diameter : 6"/152.4 mm

Stroke : 10"/254 mm
rpm : 150
Volumetric efficiency : 95 %
Mechanical efficiency : 85 %
Pump pressure : 17,238 kPa/2500 psi Marking:

2) A duplex double-acting pump must have a low rate of

1210 l/min (320 gallons/min). Calculate the required spm, given the following:
Cylinder diameter : 7"/177.8 mm
Stroke : 14"/356 mm
Rod diameter : 13/4"/44.45 mm
Volumetric effciency : 97 % Marking:

3) List six causes contributing to a lower effective output of reciprocating pumps.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

Marking:

4) Give five practical requirements to ensure that the cylinders of a mud pump will be
properly filled at each stroke.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

Marking:

5) What could be the cause of a violently shaking kelly hose while drilling?

Marking

-1–
440687864.doc
Questions: S3P3 Well Fluid systems.
Candidate (print name) Received by Name (print) Signature & date
mentor:
W.Rensink

6) a. Explain why pulsation dampeners are used on mud pumps.

b. What should be the precharge of the dampener if

a maximum pump pressure of 15,000 kPa (2100 psi)
is required?

c. What should you always be sure of when charging

a pulsation dampener

Marking

7) List four ways in which a Cameron type "B" reset relief valve is better than a shear relief valve?

1. 2.

3. 4.

Marking

8) What is the HSE procedure on your Rig before repair work on a mud pump can commence?

Marking

9) a. Give five rig applications of low-pressure centrifugal pumps.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

b. Give five advantages of centrifugal pumps in comparison with piston pumps.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

-2–
440687864.doc
Questions: S3P3 Well Fluid systems.
Candidate (print name) Received by Name (print) Signature & date
mentor:
W.Rensink

c. Give two disadvantages of centrifugal pumps in comparison with piston pumps.

1. 2.

Marking

10) Explain how cavitation can occur in centrifugal pumps.

Marking

11) List five possible causes of a centrifugal pump delivering insufficient liquid.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

Marking

12) What problem may occur if the shale-shaker screen movement is unbalanced, and what method is used
to solve this problem? -

Marking

13) Give six factors which influence the volume of drilling uid that can be handled by a shale shaker.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

Marking:

-3–
440687864.doc
Questions: S3P3 Well Fluid systems.
Candidate (print name) Received by Name (print) Signature & date
mentor:
W.Rensink

14) Why are there limitations to the use of solids removal devices that depend only on settling?

Marking

15) Give two reasons why sand traps are necessary in addition to shale shakers?

1. 2.

Marking:

16) What problem may occur with sand traps?

Marking

17) Give three reasons why hydrocyclones are useful separating devices.

1. 2.

3.

Marking:

18) Describe the correct adjustment of a hydrocyclone.

Marking:

19) Give four causes of roping through the apex of a hydrocyclone.

1. 2.

3. 4.

Marking:

20) State four factors that affect the efficiency of hydrocyclones.

1. 2.

3. 4.

Marking:

-4–
440687864.doc
Questions: S3P3 Well Fluid systems.
Candidate (print name) Received by Name (print) Signature & date
mentor:
W.Rensink

21) State three reasons for treating drilling uid with centrifuges.

1. 2.

3.

Marking:

22) Provide a schematic drawing and the running procedure for two centrifuges set up in
barytes recovery mode on your rig.

Marking:

23) When are a mud/gas separator and a vacuum degasser used?

-5–
440687864.doc
Questions: S3P3 Well Fluid systems.
Candidate (print name) Received by Name (print) Signature & date
mentor:
W.Rensink

Marking:

24) On what basic principles does a vacuum degasser work?

Marking:

25) What is the maximum flow rate capacity of the vacuum degasser at your rig?

How can you test this.?

Marking

26) Give three possible causes for the vacuum in a degasser being insufficient.

1. 2.

3.

Marking:

27) Give two reasons why degassers are essential to the solids removal process.

1. 2.

Marking:

28) Provide a schematic of the mud system as used on your rig. Use A3 Graph paper and draw to scale.

Indicate:
 the size of tanks, i.e. active, reserve, degasser, desilter, desander and sandtraps, etc.
 the number of centrifugal pumps, their position, operating envelope and their possible use.
 suction and transfer lines to and from each tank.
 "dead" volume per tank.
 the location of the mixing hopper, solids control equipment, etc.
 the layout of bulk and silo system(s), if available.

Schematic on A3

Marking:

29) In case the cementing contractor wants to use the rig tanks to pump two different spacers ahead of a
cement job, how will the routing be to ensure that no contamination of spacers, mix water and drilling fluid
will occur? Provide a sketch/drawing with routing and valves settings on A4 graph paper.

-6–
440687864.doc
Questions: S3P3 Well Fluid systems.
Candidate (print name) Received by Name (print) Signature & date
mentor:
W.Rensink

Schematic on A4

Marking:
30) What was the apparent volumetric efficiency of your mud pumps as measured during your last cement
job?

Provide the exact details of the cement job in question.

If this measured volumetric efficiency differs from what you expected, what could be the
reason?

Marking:

Maximum score: 450

Total score :

Minimum pass mark: 70%

Actual mark:

Fail / Pass for S3P2

Nomenclature of marking;

15 points. Fully understood question

10 points You are on the right track
5 points You made the effort, however lots of additional ground still to be covered
0 points Complete misunderstanding / nothing filled in

-7–
440687864.doc