Contents

Aim ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Theory..................................................................................................................................................... 2
Apparatus ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Procedure ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Calculation .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Result and discussion .............................................................................................................................. 6
Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Reference ................................................................................................................................................ 7

Lest of figure
Figure 1:stopwatch. ................................................................................................................................. 3
Figure 2:mixer. ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Figure 3:rotational viscometer. ................................................................................................................ 3
Figure 4:beaker. ...................................................................................................................................... 3

Lest of table
Table 1:result. ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Aim
The aim of this experiment determine gel strength (rheology properties) by using viscometer for
10 sec, 10 min,10 sec,30 min. and to know the ability of the mud to suspense the cutting during
circulation stop by measuring the gel strength.

Theory
Gel strength the time-dependent forces in the drilling mud cause an increase in viscosity as the
fluid remains quiescent for a certain period of time, the gel strength is a measurement of the
electrochemical forces within the fluid under static condition, its field unit is the same as that of
the yield strength, the strength is a function of suspended solid, solid content, temperature,
chemical content and time, usually it is caused by the high concentration of clay. The gel strengths
are also measured with the rotation viscometer, the sample should be stirred at high speed for 10
second (or constant reading), then allowed to stand undisturbed for 10 seconds, with the gears in
neutral, a slow (about 3rpm), steady motion on the hand wheel is applied, the maximum reading
is the initial gel in pounds per 100 ft 2, the mud re-stirred for 10 second and allowed to stand for 10
minutes, the measurement is repeated as before and the maximum reading is recorded as the 10-
mintues gel strength in pound per 100 ft 2, when an electrically driven instrument is used, the gel
reading are the maximum value obtained at the low-speed 3 rpm setting, the time for measurement
such as 10 sec,10 minutes and 30 minutes are used as a basis to measure the rate at which the mud
is gelled. If the gel strength increases slowly then it is weak whereas when it increases quickly and
steadily it is classified as strong(Guo, 2011), the gel strength is the measurement of
attractive(electrochemical) forces within the mud system under no-flow conditions, it differs from
the yield value because of its time dependence and is broken up after flow is limited, as with other
properties, the ability to maintain the proper value of gel strength depends on effective solids
control, although, the type of treatment to control the gel strength will depend on the mud system
in use, the primary means is flow line flocculation and minimal treatment with
viscosifiers(Bradbury, 2013), also known as direct-indicate viscometer or v-g meter, an instrument
used to measure viscosity and gel strength of drilling mud, the direct-indication viscometer is a
rotational cylinder and bob instrument, two speeds of rotation 300and 600 rpm, are available in all
instrument, but some are 3-or variable speed.(Fink, 2015).
 Apparatus
Equipment

 Mixer: used for mixing the mud.

 Beaker: used to measure the volume.
 Rotational viscometer: used to reading gel strength and viscosity.
 Stopwatch.

Material

 mud

Figure 1:stopwatch. Figure 4:beaker. Figure 3:rotational Figure 2:mixer.

viscometer.

Procedure
1. mixing the mud again by the mixer.
2. Clean and dry all parts of the unite such as rotor, bob and cup.
3. Fill the cup with the drilling mud unite the remark line.
4. Tight rotor and inner cylinder shaft.
5. Put cup the stand base by centralizing the pins of the cup bottom into the holes on the stand
base.
6. Raise the cup and stand base unit the mud cover the line mentioned on the rotor.
7. Stir a sample at 600rpm for about 15 second.
8. Turn the rpm knob to the stop position.
9. Waite the desired rest time (10 seconds or 10 minutes).
10. Switch the rpm knob to the gel position.
11. Record the maximum deflection of the dial before the gel breaks as the gel strength in
Ib/100 ft2, Ib/100 ft2 ×5.077=gel strength in dynes/cm2.
12. Stir a sample at 600rpm for about 15 second.
13. Turn the rpm knob to the stop position
14. Waite the desired rest time (10 seconds or 30 minutes).
15. Record the maximum deflection of the dial before the gel breaks as the gel strength in
Ib/100 ft2.
Calculation
Result and discussion
Table 1:result.

Gel strength in (10 sec) 100/ft 2 Gel strength in (10 minutes) 100/ft 2
79 118
Gel strength one of the key property of the drilling fluid and effect one the operation of drilling
because it should be the gel strength of mud sufficient to suspend the equipment when the operation
is stopped, if the gel strength of mud not enough to suspend the equipment must be increase the
gel strength, till the gel strength of mud high need to a high pump force to push it from the mud
pump to well and vice versa, when we determine a gel strength in our test we have do some error
during the test which effect on the accurate of the result like, the first one the temperature of the
room not standard for the test. and then we do not employ the fresh water, after that we do not read
the needle on the scale and might we do not take a time accurately, another the mud not mixed
entirely.

Conclusion
Gel strength the time-dependent forces in the drilling mud cause an increase in viscosity as the
fluid remains quiescent for a certain period of time, the gel strength is a measurement of the
electrochemical forces within the fluid under static condition, and this experiment useful to
determine gel strength, gel strength mud property is very important in circulating system because
provide balancing the well bore.
Reference
Fink, J. (2015). Petroleum engineers guide to oilfield chemical and fluids. Gulf Professional
Publisher.

Bradbury, R.H. ed., (2013). Acanthaster and the Coral Reef: A Theoretical Perspective:
Proceedings of a Workshop Held at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Aug.
6–7, 1988 (Vol. 88). Springer Science & Business Media.

Guo, B. and Liu, G., (2011). Applied drilling circulation systems: hydraulics, calculations and models.
Gulf Professional Publishing.