DETERMINING EVAPORATION RATES FOR WATER AND OBM

Evaporation Rates For Water Based Muds

Determining evaporation rates for Water-Based mud is necessary so that
water is added to the system to prevent dehydration of the fluid. It is
recommended that this formula be used for determining evaporation
rates at the well site to predict the rate at which “Free” water needs to be
added to the system. This volume of water added is to replace the
volume lost by evaporation and should not be used when determining
product concentrations.

Evaporation for Water-Based Muds

12
10.0 ppg mud
11
12.0 ppg mud
10
9 14.0 ppg mud
Barrels / Hour

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 170

Temperature, f

Evaporation Equation for Water-Based muds

 % Rw 
Evaporation , bbl / hr =   * 0 . 006 EXP (0 . 0344 * Flow Line Temperature ) %Rw =
 0 .18 
Retorted Water volume, %
Example:
Mud Weight 12.0 ppg
% Water from Retort 86%
Flow Line Temperature 170°F
 0 . 86 
Evaporation , bbl / hr =   * 0 . 006 EXP (0 . 0344 * 170 )= 9 . 98 bbl ' s / hr .
 0 .18 
If the above fluid was circulated for ten (10) hours then 100 barrels of
“Free” water should be added to replace the volume that would be lost
due to evaporation.

EVAPORATION RATES FOR OIL-BASED MUDS

Summary
The flow line temperatures causes water and oil to be lost due to
evaporation. This volume of liquid phase must be replaced to prevent
dehydration of the mud system, but should not be counted when
calculating material concentrations. To enable more accurate material
concentration calculations a study was undertaken and evaporation
rates determined for Oil-Based Drilling Fluids. The rate of evaporation as
determined in this study ranged from 0.74 barrels per hour at 140°F, to 3.48
barrels per hour at 185°F.

Evaporation for Oil-Based Muds

1.80

1.60
Water
1.40 Oil

1.20
Barrels / Hour

1.00

0.80

0.60

0.40

0.20

0.00
120 130 140 150 160 170
Temperature, f
Conclusions and Recommendations
Estimating the rates of evaporation of water in an Oil-Based fluid can be
accomplished with simple analysis and is within fifteen (15) percent of
actual water addition as confirmed through a validation process. It is
recommended that the following calculation be used to calculate the
volume of water lost to evaporation while circulating or drilling with Oil-
Based fluids.
Evaporation , bbl / hr = 0 . 006 EXP (0 . 0344 * Flow Line Temperature )
From previous laboratory studies the rate of evaporation of oil is 1/10th of
that of water. Therefore, if 90 barrels of water is lost due to evaporation
then 9 barrels of oil would be lost for a total evaporation volume of 99
barrels. Total evaporation, water and oil, should be recorded on the mud
checks and the volume from evaporation SHOULD NOT be included when
calculating material balance concentrations. As more accurate volume
numbers are collected at the well site from water and oil meters the
accuracy of this formula can be increased.