University of Zakho

College of Engineering
Petroleum Engineering Department

3/2/2020

Experiment No. 3: Mud Dilution

Prepared by: Bafreen Amjad Abdulla

 Table of Contents

1-Aim...................................................................................2
2-Introduction......................................................................2
3-Theory..............................................................................2
4-Mud Balance Calibration.................................................2
5-Procedure..........................................................................3
6-Calculation.......................................................................4
7-Discussion........................................................................9

Supervisor: mr. Ali ilyas

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1-Aim
Aim of the experiment -Decreasing mud weight (density of mud) by adding
Water (H2O) to the mud.

2-Introduction 
Dilution may be added as a clean drilling fluid or as the liquid phase of a
drilling fluid with the other necessary drilling fluid ingredients,  dilution will
refer specifically to the clean drilling fluid necessary to decrease drilled-solids
concentration. Clean drilling fluid is the liquid phase with all necessary
additives such as barite, polymers, clay, etc.

3-Theory  
Dilution is used in several ways, If( no solids-control equipment is used) or
if( the equipment is use ineffectively), dilution may be the principal method
of keeping drilled solids to a reasonably low level. This is an expensive
solution to the problem. For example, to decrease drilled solids by 50%
requires that 50% of the system be discarded and replaced with clean drilling
fluid. Usually dilution is used after processing by solid-removal equipment to
dilute drilled solids.

4-Mud Balance
Calibration

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 Figure 1: Mud Balance Calibration

5-Procedure 

1. Calculated the volume of water which is required to reduce density of mud

to 13.5, 12, 11, 10 ppg

2. Obtain a 350 cc. of water base mud of 15 ppg

3. Add the calculated water volume to the original mud, stir for about 2
minutes

4. Remove the lid from the cup, and completely fill the cup with the mud to be
tested.

5. Replace the lid and rotate until firmly seated, making sure some mud is
expelled through the hole in the cup.

6. Wash or wipe the mud from the outside of the cup.

7. Place the balance arm on the base, with the knife-edge resting on the
fulcrum.

8. Move the rider until the graduated arm is level, as indicated by the level vial
on the beam.

9. At the left-hand edge of the rider, read the density on either side of the lever
in all desired units without disturbing the rider.

10. Note down mud temperature corresponding to density.

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 11. Tabulate the results

6-Calculation

W 1V 1  W 2V 2  W f V f
W1  W 2  W f
V1  V 2  V f
1v 1   2v 2
Density of m ud ( f ) 
v 1 v 2
 f (v 1  v 2 )  1v 1   2v 2
 f v 1   f v 2  1v 1   2v 2
f v 2   2v 2  1v 1   f v 1
v 2 ( f   2 )  v 1 ( 1  f )
v (   f )
v2  1 1
( f   2 )

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Original Mud density : 2.04 SG
Original volume mud : 460 cc

Mud reduce to Volume of water (L)

16 ppg 0.06227 L
1.6 0.337 L
87.37 ppf 0.739 L
420 ppb 0.34 L
1.15 2.729 L
1.12 3.526 L
360ppb 0.84 L

Q1/
ρ 1 ¿2.04 SG=2.04g/cc
V1¿460cc
V2¿L?
1 g/cc
ρ f =¿ 16ppg →16 ppg * 8.35 ppg =¿ 1.916g/cc

V2 ¿ V 1¿ ¿
460(2.04−1.916)
V2 ¿ (1.916−1)
57.04
V2 ¿ 0.916 =¿ 62.27cc
1L
V2 ¿62.27cc * 1000CC
−−→ V2 ¿ 0.06227L
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Q2/
V1=460CC
ƿ1
ρ 1 =2.04 SG −−→ 2.04= −−→ ρ1 =2.04 g/cc
1 g /cc

ρ f =1.6 g/cc
V2 =L?
V2 ¿ V 1¿ ¿
460(2.04−1.6) 460( 0.44)
V2 ¿ (1.6−1)
=¿
0.6
202.4
V2 ¿ 0.6
=¿ 337.33
1L
V2 ¿337.33 cc ¿ 1000 cc =¿ 0.337 L

Q3/
ρ1 ¿ 2.04 SG=2.04g/cc
V1¿ 460cc
V2 ¿ L?
ρf ¿ 87.37 ppf 1g/cc=62.43 ppf
1 g/cc
¿87.37 ppf * =1.4g/cc
62.43 ppf

V2 ¿ V 1¿ ¿
460(2.04−1.4) 294.86
V2= ( 1.4−1)
=¿
0.4

V2=738.99 cc
V2=0.739 L

Q4/
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ρ 1 =2.04 SG=2.04g/cc
V1=460cc
V2=L?
ρ f =420ppb −−→ 420 *0.0038 ¿ 1.596 g/cc
V2 ¿ V 1¿ ¿
460(2.04−1.596) 204.24
V2= ( 1.596−1)
=
0.596
=¿ 342.68 cc
1L
V2¿342.68cc * 1000CC

V2=0.34L

Q5/
ρ1 ¿ 2.04 SG ¿2.04g/cc
V1¿460cc
V2¿L?
ρ f =¿ 1.15 sg ¿1.15 g/cc
V2 ¿ V 1¿ ¿
460(2.04−1.15) 409.4
V2 ¿ (1.15−1)
=
0.15
=¿ 2729.33 cc
1L
V2¿ 2729 cc * 1000CC
¿ 2.729L

Q6/
ρ 1 ¿2.04 SG ¿ 2.04g/cc
V1¿ 460cc
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V2¿L?
ρ f =¿ 1.12 g/cc
V2 ¿ V 1¿ ¿
460(2.04−1.12) 423.2
V2 ¿ (1.12−1)
=
0.12
=¿3526.66 cc
1L
V2¿3526.66cc * 1000CC

V2¿ 3.526L

Q7/
ρ1 ¿ 2.04 SG = 2.04g/cc
V1 ¿ 460cc
V2 ¿ L ?
ρ f =¿ 360ppb −−→360 * 0.0038 =1.368 g/cc
V2 ¿ V 1¿ ¿
460(2.04−1.368)
V2¿ ( 1.368−1)
309.12
V2 ¿ 0.368 840cc
¿

1L
V2¿ 840cc * 1000CC

V2¿0.84L

7-Discussion 

1- Why we need to decrease the density of the drilling mud?

Ans: -

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 we need to decrease the mud density because we need to avoid several
problems such as:
A. Mud circulation loss
B. Circulation low velocity
C. High viscous mud
D. Rate of Penetration (ROP) (decreases horsepower required to circulate)
E. Avoid poor log quality (rare cases)
F. Hole cleaning problems

2- Why we need to change mud density during drilling operation?

Ans: -
As it is known by all, the earth’s crust has been made from different formations
and layers which they are differs in their specific dependent physical properties,
during drilling operation going down in each formation based on its unique
behavior and formation fluid content, it’s necessary to change in the drilling fluid
properties as well. For instance, if we faced a low pressure formation which it’s a
function of pore fluid pressure, or having lost circulation due to high density of
mud, or even if the formation fracture gradient has passed... It is crucial to
decrease mud weight by dilution process.

3- Can we use other liquids instead of water?

Ans: -
Yes, we can use other liquids such as oil if we have water sensitive formation.
Or the main mud is oil-based mud.

4- What happened if the water temperature is high?

Ans: -
Ans. If the water temperature is high our calculations will be wrong because
the relationship between density and temperature is direct relationship, so then
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 we need to use correction chart to measure actual density of water. Here is the
water density & temperature chart

Figure 2: Water density & temperature chart.

5- Why the mud dilution is so important?

we need to do dilution at Formation Pressure smaller than Hydrostatic pressure
then it is under pressured and while pressure fracture greater than hydrostatic
pressure, one of its most important function is to provide the hydrostatic pressure
to balance formation pressure, this is why the mud dilution is so important.

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