MUD

DENSITY
DILEMMA?

HIGH MUD WEIGHT

? LOW MUD WEIGHT
• Avoids influx of • Favors faster rates of
formation fluid penetration
• Provides Support to • Reduces the potential
the walls of the hole for for lost circulation
wellbore stability • Minimizes differential
sticking problems
 RHEOLOGY
DILEMMA?
?
HIGH VIS & GS LOW VIS & GS
• High carrying capacity • Favors faster drilling
for the optimum removal rates
of cuttings • Improves the
• Favors suspension of separation of drill solids
weight material for an optimum solids
removal efficiency
 COLLOID
DILEMMA?
?
DISPERSED NON-DISPERSED
• Favors borehole
• Provides easier
stabilization
control of the mud
• Promotes inhibition of
viscosity, gel strength, &
clay swelling
filtration
• Lows mud
maintenance costs
• Protects against
formation damage
 FLUID LOSS
DILEMMA?

HIGH FLUID LOSS

? LOW FLUID LOSS
• Minimizes chip hold- • Favors thin filter cake
down pressure minimizing tight hole
• Favors high drilling problems
rates • Reduces the tendency
for differential sticking
• Minimizes the
potential for formation
damage
WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF A DRILLING FLUID??
! Maintains Hole Integrity
! Chemically and Mechanically Stabilizes the Wellbore
! Controls Subsurface Pressures….Provides the Necessary Hydrostatic
Pressure to Control Formation Pressures
! Provides Information on the Formations
! Cleans the Bottom of the Hole
! Transports the Cuttings to the Surface
! Aids in the Removal of Cuttings at the Surface
! Suspends the Weight Material to Maintain the Fluid Density
! Suspends the Weight Material & Cuttings When the Circulation is
Stopped
! Controls Fluid Loss to Porous & Permeable Formations
! Provides Formation Protection
! Transmits Hydraulic Horsepower to the Bit
! Cools and Lubricates the Bit & Drillstring
! Provides Corrosion Protection to the Drillstring, Casing, & Tubing
! Controls Contaminants Such as Formation Solids, Cement, CO2, H2S, etc.
! Minimizes Torque, Drag, and Pipe Sticking
! Improves Drilling Rate
! Controls Bacteria
! Provides Buoyant Support to the Drillstring
 Timeline of Technology
Development
1970 1980 1990 2000
Anco 2000
Versaclean AncoFree Anco Vert
AncoMul Safemul Envirotherm
Oilfaze AncoTherm MCAT Lube 100
Versacore Novadril
Poly-Plus Novaplus
High Density Brines PC-Midas AncoQuat Flo-Pro
Resinex Duratherm Shale Check Aquamul AncoSil
Spersene Kla-Gard
Poly-Mix Gas Hydrate Technology Mudware MTV
Pipelax Virtual Hydraulics
M-I Technology Milestones

Deeper Drilling
Advancements in Drilling Technology
Offshore Expansion High Angle Drilling Extended Reach Drilling
Ultra-Deep Drilling Horizontal Drilling Ultra-Deepwater Drilling
Enhanced Recovery Large Diameter Drilling Non-Damaging Drilling
Deepwater Drilling Depleted Zone Drilling
Environmental Awareness Open Hole Completions
Environmental Responsibility
 CLAY CHEMISTRY

ANALYTICAL ORGANIC

CORROSION DRILLING FLUID POLYMER

INORGANIC SURF & COLLOID

PHYSICAL
 CRITERIA
FOR DETERMINING
DRILLING FLUID
DESIGN
DENSITY REQUIREMENT
CUTTINGS TRANSPORT
VISCOSITY
FILTRATION CONTROL
HOLE STABILIZATION
SHALE PROBLEMS
LOST CIRCULATION
CHEMISTRY
ECONOMICS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
WELL CONTROL
FORMATION EVALUATION
LUBRICATION
WELL GEOMETRY
HYDRAULICS
CUTTINGS REMOVAL
FLUIDS MANAGEMENT
LOGISTICS
ETC…………..
 HIGH COSTS HTHP
EXCESSIVE
TORQUE & DRAG FOAM

POOR CEMENT JOBS

STUCK PIPE
HOLE
STABILITY M CORROSION

EQUIPMENT REPAIR MUD FORMATION

DAMAGE

SWAB & SURGE

PRESSURES
D KICKS

EXCESSIVE
TOXIC GASES DRILL SOLIDS
ENVIRONMENTAL
HOLE
HOLE COMPLIANCE
LOST
CLEANING
CLEANING CIRCULATION
TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENTAL
TARGET

ECONOMICAL
• Low Rates of Penetration
• Extensive Washing & Reaming
• Poor Bit Performance
• Tight Hole Conditions
• Excessive Torque
• High Annular Pressures
• Plugged Jets
• Poor Shaker Screen Performance
• MWD Motor Failure
• Backreaming
• Inadequate Hole Cleaning Efficiency
• Stuck Pipe
The mud program
should be based on
the drilling
requirements of each
specific well.
WHAT ARE THE THREE
PRIMARY FLUID
SELECTION CRITERIA
FOR DESIGNING A
DRILLING FLUID?
WHAT ARE THE THREE
PRIMARY FLUID
SELECTION CRITERIA
FOR THE FOLLOWING
WELL DESIGNS?
• EXPLORATORY WELLS
• REMOTE LAND LOCATION
• DEEPWATER
• EXTENDED REACH
• HORIZONTAL PRODUCTION
• ONSHORE ESTUARY
• SLIM HOLE DRILLING
• ARCTIC ONSHORE
• ONSHORE OVERTHRUST
• OFFSHORE - SHALE REACTIVE FORMATIONS
• ONSHORE - SHALE REACTIVE FORMATIONS
• COILED TUBING