University of zawia

Faculty of Oil & Gas Engineering

Drilling fluid lab

Gel strength

Prepared by:
Introduction

GEL STRENGTH is a measure of the ability of a colloidal dispersion to

develop and retain a gel form. In the gelatin world, gel strength is
traditionally referred to as Bloom. It is the force, expressed in grams,
necessary to depress by 4mm the surface of a gelatin gel with a standard
0.5" diameter cylinder probe.
Whilst gels are commonly accepted in the food industry, the
measurement of gel strength is also of widespread interest in the
manufacture of pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetic products. Gel
properties such as elasticity and rupture force of, for example, pectin,
gelatin, agar etc. are important in the development of such products as
coronary stents where hydrogel polymers are selected due to their soft,
rubbery nature which gives them a strong, superficial resemblance to
living, soft tissue.
Other products for which gel-forming properties are useful are in the
manufacture of wound dressings, jelly lubricants, contact lenses,
suppositories, soft gel capsules and bacterial growth media. The strength
of gels can also be utilized in products such as toothpaste, creams and
pastilles to modify the consistency of the required end product.
Typical properties that can be obtained from a texture analyzer
graph:
Gel strength, Bloom strength, force to rupture, elasticity

Typical Texture Analyser graph with annotated properties of gel bloom

strength test
 Aim of the experiment
Determine Gel strength (Rheology properties) by using VG meter for 10
sec, 10 Min, 30 min, and 16 hours

Theory
Gel strengths, 10-second and 10-minute, measured on the VG meter;
indicate strength of attractive forces (gelation) in a drilling fluid under
static conditions. Excessive gelation is caused by high solids
concentration leading to flocculation. Signs of rheological trouble in a
mud system often are reflected by a mud’s gel strength development with
time. When there is a wide range between the initial and 10-minute gel
readings they are called “progressive gels”. This is not a desirable
situation. If initial and 10-minute gels are both high, with no appreciable
difference in the two, these are “high-flat gels”, also undesirable. The
magnitude of gelation with time is a key factor in the performance of the
drilling fluid. Gelation should not be allowed to become much higher
than is necessary to perform the function of suspension of cuttings and
weight material. For suspension “low-flat gels” are desired.

Experiment tools

mud container
Fann vg (multi rate Stop watch
viscometer)

Calibration
 we use a fluid which is called calibration fluid.
 After putting the calibration fluid into the internal cup and lifting it up by
locking mechanism we read the RPM.
 By the chart we have we can indicate whether we should edit manual rotation
of sleeve to read the right number or not.
Procedure

1. Stir a sample at 600 RPM for about 15 seconds.

2. Turn the RPM knob to the STOP position.

3. Wait the desired rest time (normally 10 seconds or 10 minutes).

4. Switch the RPM knob to the GEL position.

5. Record the maximum deflection of the dial before the Gel breaks,

as the Gel strength in lb/100 ft2. Ib/100 ft2 x 5.077 = Gel strength

in dynes/cm2).

Discussion
Q1/ Are there any errors in this lab experiment?

Ans/ 1- Human errors like fill the cup with mud more than position

limits.

2- Quality of calibration fluid, to prevent this error we should get a best

quality of calibration fluid.

3- (Impure water) to prevent it we must get pure fresh water

Q2/ What are the points that increase gel strength for an oil base drilling

fluid?

Ans/ there are several points that will cause the high gel strength in the

mud system as follows. Drilling Operation Using Drill Mud • Over

treatment with organic gelling material • Buildup of fine solid particles in

the mud.

Q3/ What the difference between Critical and Static gel strength?

Ans/ •Static Gel Strength - rigidity in the matrix which resists forces

placed on it • Critical Gel Strength - the gel strength which the

hydrostatic column (when accompanied by volume reduction)

Q4/ Why gel strength important in the drilling process?

Ans/ The gel strength is one of the important drilling fluid properties

because it demonstrates the ability of the drilling mud to suspend drill

solid and weighting material when circulation is ceased.

Q5/ Why do we need to record the 3-rpm reading after 30 minutes?

Ans/ The reason is that the 30 minute-reading will tell us whether the

mud will significantly from the gel during extensive static periods like

tripping out BHA or not. If the mud has high gel strength, it will create a

high pump pressure in order to break circulation after the mud is static for

a long time. Furthermore, increasing in a trend of 30-minute gel strength

indicates a buildup of an ultra-fine solid. Therefore, the mud must be

treated by adding chemicals or diluting it with fresh base fluid.

Q6/ What is the difference between Gel strength and Yield Point?
Ans/ Gel strength and yield point are both measures of the attractive

forces in a fluid system. The initial gel strength measures the static

attractive forces, while the yield point measures the dynamic attractive

forces.

Q7/ What is the effect of mud density on gel strength?

Ans/ Gel strength is generally higher for lower density mud. The mud

samples failed at temperature of 250 F.

Q8/ How can gel strength affect mud loss?

Ans/ High gel strength can cause mud losses on connections, trips.

References
1. ASME Shale Shaker Committee.: “Drilling Fluid Process, 2005.

2. Priston L. Moore: “Drilling Practices,” PennWell Publishing Company

Tulsa, 1988