Prepared By / Moaaz Elsayed Mohamed

Title / Well Site Geologist

‫ـــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــــ‬
GUPCO –Gulf of Suez Petroleum Co.
Department: Exploration / Operation Team.
 Mud

Content

1. Mud Functions.
2. Some technical terms and information.
3. Mud properties & types.
4. Solid control equipment.

 Practical
 All tests of oil & water base mud.
 Mud

1- Carry ( Remove) Cuttings From The Well to surface.

 Depends on : Mud yield point, Flow rate, cutting shape and size , bit type, ROP , Hole size.

2- Control formation pressure.

 By adjusting mud weight and mud properties, you can control on formation pressure, because these
mud wt, reflects hydrostatic pressure.

HP= 0.052 * mud wt (PPG) * TVD (ft)

Hp must be greater slightly than Fp.

 IF Fp > Hp “ kick or flow of gas and salt water in case of permeable zone “
“ Collapse in case of shale ( sloughing / pressurized shale).
 IF Fp < Hp “ losses” and may be diff. stuck.
 Mud
3- Suspend & release cutting.
 Suspending cutting inside hole during POOH, RIN and avoid cutting form
settling in bottom in astatic motion ( depends on Gel structure strength).

 Releasing cutting from hole during drilling or circulation in a dynamic motion

( depends on Y.P).
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Packing Off when Static

Suspended particles settle Avalanche and pack off drill pipe

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Problems Due to low Hydrostatic Pressure

 Potential consequences :

 Hole collapse / caving.

 Cuttings “pack off” – pressurized shale.
 Induced formation fracturing / mud losses.
 Stuck pipe.
 Poor quality logging data.
 Poor quality casing cementation due to
washouts.

 Deep invasion of filtrate into fracture due Fractured shale

to poor fluid loss control and /or high mud
weight overbalance.
 Mud

 ECD: is Equivalent Circulation density , which is very important to detect a suitable mud
wt. for drilling any sections , and calculated by equation:
ECD = M.wt + P \0.052* TVD
 Any pressure loss for mud during circulations, are added to hydrostatic pressure to get
ECD.

Factors effecting ECD :

 Thickness of Drilling strings

 Nozzles
 and jets
 Mud viscosity
 Clearness of hole form cutting
 ROP.
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Shale Problems
 Mechanical Shale Caving : Due Swelling Shale, So When POOH
OR RIN Drilling Strings May Be Hit Formation And Damage It More
And More .
 Pressurized Shale Caving : Due To Difference In Pressure ( FM
Shale > HP).
 Bit Balling: When Drill A Sticky Shale, Due To A Electrochemical
Interaction Between Solids In Mud And Metal Of Strings.
 Prefect Solution For Bit Balling : Caustic Soda Pill. OR Adding
NUT PLUG With 30-50 RPM To Remove Any Sticky Shale Around
Bit.
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Shale Problems
SOFT / FIRM SHALES

1. Bit Balling.

2. Tight Hole.

3. Washouts.
HARD / BRITTLE SHALES

1. Pressurized Shale.

2. Fractured.
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BIT BALLING
 PREVENTION
 Use inhibited mud.
 Avoid high ROP.
 Bit choice.
 Hole Cleaning.
 SYMPTOMS
 Increased Pump Pressure.
 Reduced ROP.
 Overpull / Tight Hole.
 CURE
 Reduce ROP.
 Pull out and clean BHA.
 Add chemicals to disperse clay.
 Return To Drilling With Very Low Weight .
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BIT BALLING
 Mud
TIGHT HOLE FROM SWELLING
 PREVENTION
 Use inhibited mud.
 Sufficient Mud Weight.
 Wiper Trips.
 Minimise open hole exposure time.

 SYMPTOMS
 Increased Pump Pressure.
 Increased Torque and Drag.
 Overpull on Trips.

 CURE
 Increase mud inhibition.
 Increase Mud Weight.
 Backream tight sections.
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WASHOUTS
 PREVENTION
 Use inhibited mud.
 Reduce Flow Rate if possible.
 Good Hole Cleaning.
 SYMPTOMS
 Increased Pump Pressure.
 Increased cuttings and LGS.
 Ledges and directional problems.
 Overpull / Tight Hole.
 CURE
 Clean hole at lower flow rate with improved „low end rheology‟.
 Improved mud inhibition.
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PRESSURED SHALES
 PREVENTION
 Minimise swab / surge pressures.
 Use correct mud weight.
 Increase mud weight for higher angles.
 SYMPTOMS
 Increased Pump Pressure.
 Increased cuttings / cavings.
 Overpull / Tight Hole.
 CURE
 Raise mud weight (not if shales are fractured).
 Good mud properties to keep hole clean.
Mud

Pressurized shale Mechanical shale

 Mud

4- Seal permeable formation.

 Make a deal in front of permeable fm ( sandstone) by forming Filter cake.

 Mainly important in surface sections ( loose sand ) to form think filter cake
and reduce losses and causing many problems in rig site.

• Good Filter cake properties:

• Thin
• Elastic
• Lubricity
• Impermeable
• Stable

 If filter cake becomes thick : Differential stuck , Tight spots, Drags, Poor logging job.
 Mud
5- Create hole stability.
 Because of all previous functions, Mud make hole stability by preventing shale caving ,
and isolate fm. pressure .

6- Minimize reservoir damage.

 By preventing invasion of fluid inside reservoir and causes damage or plugging in pore reservoir
throat and reduce the production, and control on reservoir pressure as much as possible.

 Using suitable chemical as a s bridging agent ( Marbles= chemical soluble) in pay-zone according
to PSD, to help them to make acid job after finishing drilling and start production and to avoid
damaging reservoir .

Leak off test (FIT):

Closed Annuals, And Applying Pressure By Pumping Mud ( .5 Then 1 Then 1.5 Then 2 ,…. Bbl.) By
Increasing Hp, Till Reach To Point Which Mud Will Leak And Break The Formation Due To HP>FM.., To
Know Which Is The Highest M.WT They Can Use It In The Next Section.
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Problems Due to bad filtration control
 Tight hole : will cause problems during POOH.
 Shale sloughing: when the swelled shale fall into the hole, resulting in hole washout.
 Bit balling: Decrease ROP and increase torque. Can be solved by injecting Nut plug with high crashing
ability to remove the sticky shale from the bit.
 If Pf<Ph results in
I. Partial losses 20-50 BPH.
II. Severe losses 50-100 BPH.
III. Complete losses – No return.

Low filtrate invasion Moderate filtrate invasion High filtrate invasion

Good bridging & low LGS content = thin, tough and slick filter cake Poor Bridging & High LGS Content = Thick, Sticky And Mushy Filter Cake
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Problems Due to bad filtration control
Differential Sticking
Solution: Pump Diesel + Pipelax into the wellbore + Spiral BHA is preferable

Very high mud

overbalance

High( low gravity

solids content)

Porous / permeable High risk of

sand formation
Deep filtrate invasion due
to poor fluid loss control
Formation of thick, highly
permeable filter cake
= differential sticking
 Mud
7- Cooling and lubricating
 Mud absorb heats which is generated between metal strings\BIT and formation, and being
cold during it‟s circulation .

 Lubricant : like oil bas mud, and we can adding some lubricant with water base in case of
critical situations .

8-Control corrosion
 By adjust PH of mud to be alkaline, that‟s keep all BHA and strings works good and
increase it‟s life.
9-Facilitate Cementing
 After finishing drilling and casing, may be bad mud ( very high gel structure) causes
problems , when pumping CMT to displace Mud, this high Gel structure causes channeling,
and create poor isolation between casing and formation.
 So, before CMT job, it’s better to reduce Mud rheology to avoid any problems.
 Mud
 To Cool and Lubricate
 As a well gets deeper, the geothermal gradient causes the temperature of both the formation and the
drilling fluid to increase.

 In addition, formations become more compacted, more abrasive and more difficult to drill as the
depth increases.
 Friction is also a contributing factor to increasing the temperature.

 The drilling fluid Absorbs much of the heat that is generated and conducts it away from the
formation.

 A vast amount of this heat is lost on surface.

 Lubrication is achieved through the laying down of a filter cake, and the use of specially formulated
additives, which will reduce friction.

 Extra lubrication may be required between the drill string and the casing or wellbore, especially in
directional wells.
 Mud
 To Control Corrosion

 The drilling fluid should be non-corrosive to drill string, casing and drilling equipment.
Corrosion can lead to:
 Wash outs.
 Twist offs.
 Pump failure.
 Surface leaks.
 Specific additives are used to control highly corrosive and toxic gasses such as hydrogen
sulphide and carbon dioxide.
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10- Minimize impact on Environment.

11- helps on logging jobs.

 Mud Transports rays and information's between formation and logging tools, and some of tools running
in WBM and others in OBM.

 Mud properties must be suitable for running tools such as ( Mud salinity and Fluid loss ).
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Mud

Water based Mud

Water Inert Solids Reactive solids

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Inert Solids HGS –S.G >2.75 Reactive solids LGS -S.G <2.75

Lost Circulation Lubricating

Weight Material Materials Commercial Drilled Solids
Material
Solid

Filtration Control Rheology Control Shale Stabilizing

Viscosities Alkalinity & PH
Materials Materials Materials
Control Materials
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1- VISCOSIFIERS.

 Definition:

 The ability of drilling mud to suspend drill cuttings and weighting materials depends entirely
on its viscosity.
 Bentonite For fresh water muds.
 Attapulgite For salt water muds is magnesium aluminium phyllosilicate (mg,al2,sio4o10)that
occurs in type of clay soil common to the south astern united states.
 Natural Formation Clay Which Hydrate And Enter The Mud System.
 Nots the first two type are added in order to increase the viscosity.
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Clays

 Clays in the Drilling Fluid :

 Bentonite (gel, smectite, montmorillonite) for viscosity and fluid loss

control in some WBM.
 Organophilic bentonite for viscosity and fluid loss control in OBM.
 Attapulgite / sepiolite for viscosity in salt & very high temperature WBM.
 Drilled solids help with fluid loss control but can give unwanted viscosity.
 Mud

2- Filtration Control Materials.

 Definition:
• Are compounds which reduce the amount of fluid that will be lost from the drilling fluid
into a subsurface formation caused by the differential pressure between the hydrostatic
pressure of the fluid and the formation pressure. (Amount of fluid forced into permeable
formation by differential pressure, after the deposition of thin, low permeable filter cake to
seal permeability)

1. Fluid Loss:
 Polymers ADDITIVES
• Starch.
• Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC).
• Polyanionic Cellulose (PAC).
• Thinners and Deflocculants.
 Mud

 High filtrate volumes means that:

 Dehydration of drilling fluid on trips.
 Differential sticking of drill string.
 Formation damage.
 Bore hole instability.
 Bit balling.
 Low filtrate volumes means that:
 Decreased drill rate.
 Increased cost.
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What is the Polymers?

A large (macro) molecule which is built up by the repetition of small,

simple chemical units.

POLY - Many MER - Part

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 Polymers

 Three Main Types Of Polymers

 Natural
• Starches, XC Polymers, Gums.

 Modified Natural
• Cmc, Pac, Cms.

 Synthetic
• PHPA.
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 Polymers

Applications:
 Fluid loss - 3 ways.
 Viscosity - 2 ways.
 Formation and Wellbore Stabilization.
 Total Flocculants.
 Selective Flocculants.
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 Polymers
Applications:

 Fluid loss - 3 Ways:

• Deflocculants - CMC/LV, PAC LV, LIGNOSULFONATE.
• Viscosify liquid phase - CMC/HV, PAC R, XC POLYMER
• Colloidal particles compress and deform - to plug the pores in the filter cake - Starches,
Asphalts

 Viscosity - 2 Ways:
• Viscosify the liquid phase - (as above)
• Flocculant - (High mw w /Charged Groups to adsorb onto clays.
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 Polymers

 Degree Of Polymerization: The length of a polymer determined by the number of

repeating units on the chain.
Most commercial polymers have a D.P. from 500 - 5000.
 Determines whether a polymer will function as:
 A Thinner Low molecular wt.
 A Fluid Loss Reducer Medium molecular wt.
 A Viscosifier High molecular wt.
 Encapsulator “ “ “
 Selective Floculant “ “ “
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 Polymers
Chain Length - Determines the function of the polymers.

 Short Chain - Thinning polymers (mw = 10,000)

 Medium Chain - Fluid loss control - (mw = 100k-200k)

Viscosifiers - (mw = 200k - 300k)

 Long Chain - Encapsulators, Viscosifiers, Flocculents -

(mw = 3M - 20M)(50M)
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Polymer Performance

 Polymer Performance is influenced by:

1. Concentration
2. Water chemistry
3. Salinity
4. Hardness
5. pH
6. Solids
7. Temperature
8. Bacteria
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Modified Natural Polymers:

 CMC - Carboxy Methyl Cellulose

 PAC - Poly Anionic Cellulose

 CMS - Carboxy Methyl Starch

 HEC - Hydroxy Ethyl Cellulose - used in workover fluids

 Mud

 Polymers

CMC and PAC Polymers

 Anionic

 Average MW
• 200,000 - 225,000 Hi Vis
• 140,000 - 175,000 Lo Vis
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CMC and PAC
 Applications

 Viscosity

 Fluid loss control

HEC Polymer
 Fluid loss

 Viscosity

 Fresh water, seawater, heavy brines

 Mud

HEC Polymer

 Temperature stable to about 150°F.

 Effectiveness diminishes above 10 pH.

 Effectiveness diminishes in heavy brines.

 Lack of thixotropy.
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 Polymers

SYNTHETIC POLYMERS:

PHPA - Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide

 Mud

 PHPA
 Application
1. Shale Stabilization
2. Encapsulation
3. Viscosifying the water phase
4. Adsorbing free water.
 ENCAPSULATION
 The process by which PHPA wraps around the clay platelets, preventing
water from entering the interlayer structure of the clays. Thus preventing
hydration and dispersion of the clays.
 Lubricity
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 PHPA

 Limitations
 Solids control essential Minimize LGS.

 Maintain pH < 10.0 - 10.5.

 Cement - (High pH and high Calcium).

 300°F.

 Lack of thixotropic characteristics.

Mud
 Mud

3- Rheology Control Materials.

Definition:

• Rheology is the science of deformation and flow of matter across which we can
determine how that fluid will flow under variety of conditions including temperature,
pressure and shear rate.

• These materials are added when efficient control of viscosity and gel development cannot
be achieved by control of Viscosifiers concentration.

• These materials cause a change in the physical and chemical interactions between solids
and/or dissolved salts such that the viscous and structure forming properties of the drilling
fluid are reduced.
 Mud

Examples:

• Thinners.

• Dispersants: it‟s a chemical used to reduce viscosity by redusing the

strong attraction between particles of clay.ex (Phosphates,
Lignosulphonates, Lignite).

• Deflocculants.
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Clay Associations
 The association between clay particles is of importance as they will affect the properties of
the solution:

 Clay particles in a fluid can be :

 Dispersed

 Aggregated

 Deflocculated

 Flocculated

Degree of dispersion / deflocculation of clays will affect viscosity,

fluid loss control and shale inhibition.

 Mud

Colloidal States
 There are four basic colloidal states of clay particles in a fluid
 Deflocculated. There is an overall repulsive force between the particles. This is done by
ensuring all the particles have the same charge. (The particles may be aggregates)

 Flocculated. There are net attractive forces for the particles and they can associate with
each other to form a loose structure.

 Aggregated. The clay sheets are still attached to each other and hydration has not occurred,
or the hydration process has been reversed.

 Dispersed. This is where the aggregates have all been broken down. The dispersed clays
may be flocculated or deflocculated.
 Mud

Clay Dispersion/Aggregation
 Mechanical energy causes DISPERSION of aggregates:

MECHANICAL

ENERGY
 Mud

Clay Dispersion/Aggregation

 Mechanical energy can also break individual mineral grains

 Leads to increased surface area of solids:

MECHANICAL

ENERGY
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1. Deflocculation.
 Deflocculation is defined as the state of a dispersion in which the solids particles in a
liquid remain geometrically independent and unassociated with adjacent particles.In good
drilling fluids, clays are in a state of deflocculation.

Repulsive forces:
– Electric Double Layer Repulsion
– Double layer is reduced by addition of salt, the reduction is greater if the salt has a
higher valency
– Desorption of bound water requires energy and would act as a repulsive force.
 Mud

 Clay Flocculation/Deflocculation.

+ + + + Add salt
+ + + +

+ + + +
+ + + +

+ Remove salt + +
+ + +
+ + + +
+ +

LOW SALINITY HIGH SALINITY

DEFLOCCULATED FLOCCULATED
distance of separation
 Mud

2. Flocculation.

 Flocculation : is defined as the state of dispersion in which there is a

formation of clusters of particles separated by weak mechanical forces

 Drilling fluids can become flocculated by the addition of electrolyte

neutralising the negative charges. The concentration of electrolyte required to
do this is known as the Flocculation Value.
 Mud

 Flocculation

 Attractive Forces:
 Van Der Waals Forces. These are significant for large atoms such as clays.
 These forces are INDEPENDENT of the electrolyte concentration.

 Interparticle Forces
 The balance of the repulsive and attractive forces will determine the
proximity of the clay particles.
 Mud

 Clay Deflocculation

 Chemical energy is used to deflocculate clays:

- -
+
-

chemical energy -
+ -

FLOCCULATED DEFLOCCULATED

The state of deflocculation is determined by surface charges and electrical double layers surrounding
particles in suspension.
 Mud
 Clay Deflocculation
1. Change pH
- - - - -
+ + - - - - -
+ - - - + add alkali (OH-)
- + -
- - - - - - -
-
- -
- add acid (H+) - - - - - Repulsion
- +
+
+ - - +- + - - - - -
< ~ pH 6.5 > ~ pH 8
FLOCCULATED DEFLOCCULATED
 Mud

 Clay Deflocculation

2. Add chemical deflocculants

+ add deflocculant ( - )
+ - - - + -
- - - -
+
- -
Repulsion
- -
-
+ + - - - - -
+ - - - + -

Flocculated Deflocculated
 Mud
 Clay Flocculation

 To flocculate clays add:

 Polyvalent Cations

 Polymeric Flocculants

 Low pH

 High Salt Concentration

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 Clay Deflocculation

 To deflocculate clays add:

 Remove cations

 Polymeric deflocculants

 Increase pH

 Reduce Salt Concentration

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 Effect on Suspension Viscosity

 To Increase Viscosity:
 Increase level of solids.
 Add high molecular weight viscosifying polymer.
 Flocculate with calcium or other polyvalent cation.
 Flocculate with salts.
 Flocculate with low pH conditions.
 To Decrease Viscosity:
 Dilute with water.
 Disperse with low molecular weight polymers.
 Remove calcium by chemical treatment.
 Disperse with higher pH condtions.
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4-Alkalinity & PH Control Materials.

The pH affects several mud properties including:

1. Detection and treatment of contaminants such as cement and soluble carbonates.

2. solubility of many thinners and divalent metal ions such as calcium and magnesium.

ADDITIVES :
• NaOH. Caustic Soda to remove mg++
• Na2CO3. Soda Ash to remove ca++
• KOH Potash.
• Ca(OH)2 Lime.
• These are compounds used to attain a specific pH and to maintain optimum pH and
alkalinity in water base fluids.
 Mud

5-Shale Stabilizing Materials.

 Definition:

 It is the prevention of water contacting the open shale section as mud additives
encapsulates the shale or when a specific ion such as potassium actually enters the exposed
shale section and neutralizes the charge on it.

Examples:

• High molecular weight polymers.

• Hydrocarbons.
• Potassium , calcium and salts (e.g. KCl).
• Glycols.
 Mud

 Clay Swelling
The most common swelling clay mineral is montmorillonite.
Montmorillonite (bentonite) is used in some drilling fluids to give viscosity and fluid loss control.
Montmorillonite is found in many reactive shales.
Montmorillonite is found in some sandstones (including reservoir sands).
The amount of water taken up by a montmorillonite

 Formation clays (drilled solids)

 Montmorillonite (swelling clay)
 Illite (non-swelling clay)
 Kaolinite (non-swelling clay)
 Chlorite (non-swelling clay)
Mud

Inert Solids
HGS –S.G >2.75

Lost Circulation
Weighting Lubricating
Control
Materials Materials
Materials
 Mud

1. Weighting Materials. .1
 Definition:

• Are solid materials which when suspended or dissolved in water will increase the mud weight.
• Most weighting materials are insoluble and require Viscosifiers to enable them to be suspended in a fluid such
as Clay.
 Examples:

Material Composition Sp.Gr % Acid Soluble

Galena PbS 7.4-7.7 0

Hematite Fe2O3 4.9-5.3 50+
Magnetite Fe3O4 5.0-5.2 0
Illmenite FeO.TiO2 4.5-5.1 20
Barite BaSO4 4.2-4.6 0
Siderite FeCO3 3.7-3.9 95
Celestite SrSO4 3.7-3.9 0
Dolomite CaCO3.MgCO3 2.8-2.9 99
Calcium Carbonate CaCO3 2.6-2.8 99
 Mud

2-Lost Circulation Material.

 Material used to bridge off (seal) formations where whole mud is

being lost to the formation.
 Nut shells (mostly pecan & walnut).
 Mica.
 Fiber (wood, paper, plastic, etc.).
 Mud
 Lost Circulation Control Materials.
Coarse Sand and Gravel
Beds
Natural
Losses Fractures

Seepage(1-
10bbl/hr) Cavernous Formations
Causes Partial(10-
50bbl/hr) Volume of Drill Cuttings
Severe(<50b
bl/hr) Control Vis. & Gel Strength
Lost of Classes
Total
Circulation Control Surge Pressure

Flakes
Prevention
Granular
Conventional
Fibrous

Reinforcing Oil Bentonite Plug

Cement &
LCM Plugs Water Organophillic Clay Plug
 Mud

3- Lubricating Materials.

Definition:

• These materials are added to reduce friction between the wellbore and the drill
string ( Torque and Drag ).

Examples:
• Diesel.
• Surfactants.
• Graphite.
• Asphalt.
• Polymer.
 Mud

1. Non-dispersed, Non-inhibited Mud Systems.

 Fluids do not contain inhibiting ions such as (Cl-), (Ca2+) or (K+) in the continuous phase and do not control
rheological properties.
 This systems characterized by higher viscosities and the higher YP/PV ratio.
 This System Such As:
Spud Gel Mud: Used for top hole drilling, the mud is prepared by pre-hydrating bentonite.
 Advantages:
1. Lower solids requirements.
2. better hole cleaning and prevent bore hole washouts.
3. faster ROP.
4. Easily converted to all types of dispersed and non-dispersed systems.
 Disadvantages:
1. Lack of inhibition so dilution rates increases.
2. The system will be converted If cement, anhydrite or salt concentrations are encountered, so dilution will be
increased.
 Mud
Chemical Effects
1. Calcium Treated Systems.

Calcium added to a clay-water slurry causes flocculation - an increase in yield point and gel
strengths.
This is caused by the Ca2+ cation having higher bonding energy than the Na+ cation on the
clays, thus converting them to Ca2+ clays.

If a deflocculant is not present or utilized, the size of the flocks of clay will increase
and precipitate out, resulting in decreased PV‟s.

As calcium is added when sufficient deflocculant is present, partial dehydration will

still occur and the water envelope will be reduced causing a increase in the YP and
Gels initially.
 Mud

2. Potassium inhibited.

 WITH A SALT LIKE Kcl

IT ATTACHES TO THE
CLAY PLATES AND PREVENTS
WATER FROM ENTERING

K= Potassium found in
Potassium Chloride (KCl)

H2O= Water

Fig 5
 Mud

SPUD MUD
 Used in surface hole, to carry large drilled cutting to surface.
 Check salinity of water ( must be less than 5000 mg\l)
 Make up water by adding caustic soda ( PH= 9 – 11 ), soda ash (sodium carbonate)
 Caustic Soda to remove mg++ and Soda Ash to remove ca++
 Bentonite ( 10 – 15 lb. ) to viscosity ( 50-70) , and let them to hydrate ( at least 3
hours).
 No control on fluid loss .
 Adding weighting martial .
 Gel mud ( spud mud ) makes a seal for a surface loose sand by forming thick filter
cake.
 Mud

Mixing Procedure

1. Fill tank with required amount of fresh water.

2. Add 0.5 ppb Soda Ash to reduce the water hardness for optimum gel
hydration.
3. Add 40 ppb Bentonite and leave to hydrate (around six hours).
4. Cut the 40 ppb Bentonite concentration to 20 ppb with fresh water.
5. Add 0.5 ppb Caustic Soda (use a chemical barrel) before pumping down-
hole
 Mud

2-Non-dispersed Inhibited Mud Systems.

• Fluids contain inhibiting ions in the continuous phase and control rheological properties
• These mud systems are the most common in drilling problematic formations like reactive
clays, sloughing heaving shales and halite salt sections.

A. Salt Saturated Mud:

• This system is used for drilling salt sections to balance formations and avoid wash outs.
• This system has a minimum M.wt. of 10 ppg.

B. KCl Polymer Mud:

• Is Potassium Chloride dissolved in fresh or salt water.
• It is better to make shale drill cuttings being easier to remove and less contamination in the
system.
 Mud

 Inhibited Mud Systems:

Advantages:

1. Excellent clay and shale hydration inhibitor.

2. Rapid drilling through shale with minimal erosion.
3. Bottom hole temperature 250 F to 275 F.

Disadvantages:

1. Not suitable for drilling in large sections of sand or unconsolidated formations.

2. Calcium reduces solubility and limits its effectiveness.
 Mud

Inhibited Mud
The most extensive and difficult formations to drill are those containing shale's that have
been compressed and partially dehydrated over time If drilling fluid inhibition is poor then
the shale will absorb water from the drilling fluid, swell up and destabilize the surrounding
shale. The reaction to water will depend on the exact mineralogy of the clays present,
ranging from plastic deformation of the shale to give tight hole conditions, or brittle failure
leading to caving and sloughing hole conditions, both of which can be controlled by mud
density. The water-based KCL Polymer system addresses the inhibition problem to produce
stable drilled cuttings which, combined with a fluids system with lower solids content due
to the density provided by the Potassium Chloride brine, combine to give excellent hole
cleaning, low erosion rates and fast penetration rates.
 Mud

Kcl Polymer Mud

 The water-based KCL Polymer system provides provide the required chemical inhibition with
additional additives that minimize fluid invasion into the formation pores or micro-fracturs
when drilling reactive shales through two mechanisms:
Potassium Chloride provides a source of Potassium ions, which exchange with sodium or
calcium ions already present in certain clay minerals. The Potassium ion is very small, which
gives it a relatively high charge density compared to other larger ions.
The Potassium ions are small enough to fit between the clay platelets without distorting the
shale lattice. After adsorbing onto the exchangeable cation sites in the shale lattice, he higher
charge density of the Potassium ions holds the platelets together to produce a stable, non-
expanding form. This helps to minimize clay and shale hydration, swelling and dispersion.
 Mud
Chemical Effects

• CHEMICAL EFFECTS ARE MAINLY CAUSED BY

WATER IN THE MUD.

• THE CLAY MINERALS TAKE IN WATER AND

SWELL
Mud

Principle Of Inhibition

WITH A SALT LIKE KCl

IT ATTACHES TO THE
CLAY PLATES AND PREVENTS
WATER FROM ENTERING

K= Potassium found in
Potassium Chloride (KCl)

H2O= Water

Fig 5
 Mud
ADDITIVES:
• Check water salinity and hardness.
• Make up water by adding caustic soda and soda ash.
• KCL % by wt. ( from brine table I can get lb\bbl KCL ).
• Fluid loss reducer ( 4-6 lb\bbl)
• XC polymer ( .5- 1.5 lb\bbl)
• Weighting martial according to desired weight .
• Shale inhibition chemicals ( soltex. Gelosinte, … ).
• Bridging agent according to program.

 It‟s not good for adding bentonite in KCL polymer mud , because it effects badly
on shale inhibition which I already did it with KCL, but in rare cases can adding
bentonite pill, adding it very slowly to active system to in crease Mud rheology.
 Mud

 Mixing Procedure:

1. Fill tank with required amount of fresh water or seawater.

2. Adjust pH to around 9.5 to 10.0 with Caustic Soda (use a chemical barrel).
3. Add the required amount of Potassium Chloride powder.
4. Add 1 ppb Xanthan Gum slowly at 5 minutes per sack.
5. Add 4 ppb PAC.
6. Add 1 ppb PHPA slowly at 10 minutes per sack.
7. Add Barite to obtain the required drilling fluid density

Rheology – Rheological properties are controlled through the use of Xanthan gum
polymers such as Biopoly-E.
Mud
 Mud

Silicate Mud
 A type of shale-inhibitive water base drilling fluid that contains sodium silicate or
potassium silicate polymeric ions.

 These ions adsorb on the shale surface and form a semipermeable osmotic membrane
that prevents the transport of water internal to the shale structure.

 The highly inhibitive silicate fluid not only provides wellbore stability but also
improves solids control performance with minimal environmental impact.
 Mud
Salt Saturated Mud “ Salt zones “
 Check water salinity and hardness.
 Make up water by adding caustic soda and soda ash.
 Salt ( NACL, CACL2,…) 110 lb\bbl.
 Fluid loss reducer.
 Viscosifier.
 Weighting material.
 Salinity of salt saturated mud reaches to 120- 140 mg\l.
 During drilling salt fm., it‟s better not to reach salinity to max. as written in program, it‟s
better to be less than 10 or 15 mg\l to give salt fm. Low Availability to dissolve and avoid
salt fm to attack or closed on pipes like tight spots.
 We notice that Ph. decreases rapidly during drilling salts, that‟s due to salt‟s acidic
nature .
 Mud

 Oil-Based drilling fluid : generally used when waterbased fluid

cannot provide sufficient inhibition while drilling technically
challenging wells. They produce high performance drilling fluids
with effective inhibition for highly reactive shales, They are stable
at much higher temperatures than water-based fluids, and enhanced
lubricity minimizes torque and drag, reducing the potential for
differential sticking.
 Mud

 Drilling Salt Formations – The continuous oil phase and the salinity of
the emulsified brine phase minimizes the amount of salt that is
dissolved while drilling salt formations.

 The high cost is offset by the fact that drilling performance is usually
better, which reduces associated drilling costs. Oil-based fluids can
often work out more economical than water-based fluids because they
can be reconditioned and used on a series of wells, although they can
be costly when lost circulation occurs.
 Mud

 Three-phase System - Two Immiscible Fluids And The Solids Phase.

1. Base Oil(diesel): This is the external emulsion phase which must be low toxic base oil.

2. Water: emulsified droplets (CaCl2 brine) because it reduces activity of water, Control of
salinity in invert oil muds is necessary to "tie-up" free water molecules and prevent any water
migration between the mud and the open formation such as shales and soluble lime.

 Lime:
• Lime is the primary ingredient necessary for reaction with the emulsifiers to develop the oil
water interface.
 Mud
3. Solids:
 Wetting Agent:
 This is a high concentration emulsifier used especially in high density fluids to oil wet all the
solids.
 If solids become water wet they will not be suspended in the fluid, and would settle out of the
system.
 Organophillic Clay:
 These are clays treated to react and hydrate in the presence of oil, they react with oil to give both
suspension and viscosity characteristics.
 Drill Solids
 Insoluble Additives
 FLC & LCM Products
 Soluble Additives
 CaCl2, Lime, VERSALIG, VERSATROL, ECOTROL, EMI 603.
 Mud
Notes
Oil Base drilling fluids (OBM) = Invert Emulsion Fluids
 Used in shale zones for drilling shale safely .
 Diesel weight and viscosity .
 Cacl2 brine is used in OBM, because it reduces activity of water, Increase salinity to
enhance osmotic effect ,soap medication.
• Mixing :
1. Diesel\ synthetic oil ( 80%).
2. Lime.
3. Primary emulsifier. ( for mud alkalinity and helps emu. To work)
4. Secondary emulsifier.
5. CACL2 brine (20 %).
6. Viscosifier ( 6-8 lb\bbl).
7. Weighing martial barite.
• Oil ratio must be greater than water ratio to increase it‟s stability.
Mud

Invert Emulsion Fluids

Oil Base Fluid Applications?

 Mud

 Invert Fluid Applications

1. Development Wells.
2. Shale Inhibition.
3. Stable at high temperatures and pressures.
4. Provide good lubricity.
5. Deviated Well.
6. Non-corrosive and non-toxic using mineral oils Contaminates, evaporites
and acid gases Workover, completion & packer fluids.
7. Deepwater.
Mud

OBM
PDC
Cuttings
 Mud

Mixing
 The ideal situation when mixing oil-based fluids is to have two mix tanks, one
tank for mixing the oil phase and one tank for mixing the brine phase. The
brine is then transferred slowly into the oil phase to form the fluid emulsion.
However, there will be occasions when only one tank is available for mixing
oil-based fluids and this requires a slightly different mixing procedure. The
mixing time will vary according to the level of shear provided by the mixing
equipment. Mixing procedures using two tanks and using one tank are as
follows.
 Mud

 Mixing Procedure Using Two Mix Tanks

following procedure is recommended when only one tank is available for mixing an oil-
based fluid system:
1. Add the required volume of Base Oil to the mixing tank.
2. Add the required amount of primary (and secondary) emulsifiers.
3. Add the required amount of filtration control additives.
4. Add the required amount of Lime.
5. Add the required volume of water to the above mixture.
6. Add the required amount of organophilic clay viscosifier.
7. Add the required amount of Calcium Chloride powder.
8. Circulate through the shear hopper with full tank agitation for several hours to establish a
good emulsion.
9. Add Barite or other weighting materials to obtain the required density.
Mud
 EMULSIONS
OBM =Invert Emulsion WBM Emulsion

Water Phase
Oil Phase

Water Oil

• Oil External Phase • Water External Phase

• Oil-wet solids & surfaces • Water-wet solids & surfaces
• Desirable for Drilling • Cementing / Stimulation
 Mud

Oil Water Ratio

 OIL WATER RATIO

The relative proportions of oil and water in the fluid.

Both the water and the solids phases are inside the oil, therefore the more of
each will require more oil to maintain the same rheology.
If density is increased then usually more oil is needed. The oil water ratio is
increased
 Mud

Emulsifiers
SURFACTANTS - Surface Active Agents.
 Act by Reducing the Interfacial Tension Between Two Liquids or
Between a Liquid and a Solid.
 Emulsifiers
 Soaps
 Wetting Agents
 Mud
Emulsifiers
SURFACTANTS - Surface Active Agents
Have a hydrophilic polar head and an organophilic non-polar tail.
HYDROPHILIC
HEAD

C C C C C O (WATER LOVING)

C C C C C

(OIL LOVING) OH

ORGANOPHILIC TAIL
 Mud
SURFACTANTS - Surface Active Agents

WATER
DROPLET

OIL
Mud
SURFACTANTS - Surface Active Agents

- Designed to Oil Wet solids

SOLID’S SURFACE
 Mud

Wettability
 Is the tendency of one fluid to spread on or adhere to a solid surface in the
presence of otherimmiscible fluids.
 Wettability refers to interaction between fluid and solid phases.
 Reservoir rock (sandstone, limestone, dolomite, etc) are the solid surface.
 oil, water and gas are the fluids.
Mud
Mud
 Mud
SURFACTANTS - Surface Active Agents

Contact Angle and Wettability

Non-Wetting Liquid
o > 90º
Contact Angle Wetting Liquid
w < 90º
Oil
Water
SOLID
“WATER WET”

Case 1: Solid is preferentially water wet

 Mud
SURFACTANTS - Surface Active Agents

Contact Angle and Wettability

Non-Wetting Liquid
Wetting Liquid w > 90º
o < 90º

Water
Oil
SOLID
“ OIL WET”

Case 2: Solid is preferentially oil wet

 Mud

Viscosifiers
 VISCOSIFIERS:
Are usually bentonite based with an oil wetting agent added.
They need a small quantity of water to allow hydration.
They take time to fully yield.

 VISCOSIFIERS:
1. Organophilic Clays
2. Organic Polymers
 Mud

Fluid Loss Reducers

 FLUID LOSS REDUCERS:

 Asphalt.
 Amine treated lignite.
 Calcium carbonate/marble – bridging agents.
 Mud

 Advantages Of Oil Base Mud:

1- protection of production horizon.

2- drill water sensitive formations salt, clays.
3- allowing longer bit runs than water base mud of the
same weight.
4- less viscosity problems in deep hot holes
 Mud

Mud weight: Measured by normal mud balance or pressured mud balance ( ppg , PCF, S.G ).

Viscosity: Resistance to flow , and measured by Marsh funnel.

Rheology: science of fluid dynamics .

 PV
 It electromechanically forces between solids in mud.
 If PV is high, so solution is Dump& dilute Or check for SCE.
 Measured form V.G meter form 600 rpm – 300 rpm.
 Centipoise
 Mud

 Y.P
 It‟s electrochemically forces between solids in mud ( ability of mud to carry
mud in dynamic motion”.
 Measured form V.G meter form 300 rpm –PV
 YP-= 1.5 hole size to make good hole cleaning.
 Lb\100ft2

 Gel strength
 It‟s types: progressive, flat ,fragile.
 It‟s ability of mud to carry cutting in static motion
 Measured form V.G meter form 3 rpm in 10 sec\10 min.
 If readings between 10sec and 10 min high OR high PV , so it‟s a progressive
gel.
 Mud

Carrying Capacity
Depends on:
 Gel Strength : Indicates the ability of a fluid to suspend solids in static mood, as well as
the ease with which the gels can be broken.
– Electro-chemical attraction forces in static mood
– Insufficient Gel Strength Will cause solids to settle, which can result in
– Bridging off of the wellbore
– Stuck pipe
– Hole fill
– Reduction of hydrostatic pressure
– Liquids such as drilling fluids which have the property of thickening at low or zero shear
rates and becoming less viscous at high shear rates, are said to be Thixotropic.
 Mud
Carrying Capacity
 Yield Point = 1.5 hole size
– Electro-Chemical attraction between particles in dynamic mood.
– Ability to carry cuttings to surface

 Plastic Viscosity
– Electro-Mechanical forces between particles
– Reflects the amount of solids in Mud

 Carrying Capacity Index: if cuttings on surface are in shape of balls, it means that carrying capacity
is low resulting in rising and dropping of cuttings in the hole.
What is a Slug ?

 Slug is an volume of higher mud weight than the weight in the hole pumped during POOH in order to have a U-
Tube effect.
 Mud
Effects of Excessive Viscosity
 Increased pump pressure.

 Increased risk of swabbing / surging the hole.

 Swab: During POOH in case of high viscosity and gel strength, the pull force exerts a swab effect on the
formation that may lead to having a kick or damaging the formation.

 Surge: The same as Swab but in case of running in hole (RIH).

 Thinners: must be used before POOH to reduce mud Rheology.

 Loss of mud at the shakers.

 Poor efficiency of the solids control equipment.

 Increased risk of fracturing the formation, especially with high gel strengths.

 Poor mud removal for cementing operations.

 Mud
Effects of Insufficient Viscosities
 Poor hole cleaning.

 Cuttings bed.
 Hole fill.
 Stuck pipe.
 Cuttings degradation.

 Overloading of the annulus increasing the hydrostatic pressure.

 Increased erosion if the fluid is in turbulent flow.

 Barite sag or settlement.

Mud
Mud

PVT models for Base Fluids

Fluids Classification According To

Compressibility

Compressible Fluid The Density Of The Incompressible Fluid The Density Of The
Fluid Greatly Changes With Respect To Fluid Slightly Changes With Respect To
Pressure EX: OBM Pressure EX: WBM
Mud

Fluids Classification According To

Expansibility

Compressible Fluid Less Affected By Incompressible Fluid More Affected

Thermal Expansion “OBM” By Thermal Expansion ”WBM”
 Mud

Effect Of Pressure And Temperature On Volumetric Properties Of Drilling

Fluids.

1. At high pressure and high temperature, volume changes of solids are not negligible.
2. Volume behavior of fluids can be described very accurately using a 9 parameters
polynomial model, in the range of 14.7 to 30,000 psi, and 77 to 500 “F.
3. For the calculation of the hydrostatic bottom hole pressure, the reference density of the
mud at surface conditions needs to be measured as accurately as possible.
4. The influence of the bottom hole temperature as well as of the type of fluid is most
important in deep wells.
 Mud

PWD (pressure while drilling)

 Definitions.
 Applications OF PWD.
 ECD, ESD monitoring chart.
 Mud

Equivalent Mud Weight Calculation:

PWD Pressure (psi)

EMW (ppg) 
TVD (ft) * 0.052
 Mud

 General Expressions

 ESD (Equivalent Static Density): expression of the hydrostatic

pressure applied by the drilling fluid.

 ECD (Equivalent Circulation Density): defined as the sum of

the ESD and the friction losses in the annulus due to the fluid motion.
Mud
PWD Tool
 Mud
 Applications of the PWD
The PWD applications, including:
 Accurate downhole measurement of equivalent circulating density (ECD)
 Accurate downhole measurement of hydrostatic pressure and effective mud weight
(ESD).
 Accurate downhole temperature.
 Kick detection.
 Swab/surge pressure while tripping or reaming.
 Monitoring of hole cleaning.
 Accurate leak-off test (LOT) and formation integrit+y test (FIT) data .
Mud
Down hole losses
Down hole losses
Mud
 Mud
ESD
PWD provide us with three ESD readings:

 Min: can indicate swab pressure

 Avg: indicates down hole mud weight
 Max: can indicate surge pressure, FIT& LOT
 Mud

 ECD-ESD monitoring chart

 Mud

 PWD Event log

 Mud

Conclusion
As well depth increases,

 both hydrostatic pressure and temperature increase.

 These factors have opposing effects on the static and dynamic equivalent density of the
drilling fluid.

 An increase in hydrostatic and dynamic pressure (caused by compression) increases the

equivalent fluid density. But density is reduced by increasing temperature and the resulting
thermal expansion.

 These effects are often assumed to effectively opposing each other.

Mud

Mud PH and Fluid Loss And Filtrate

Mud Weight Mud Rheology Mud Solids
Alkalinity Filter Cake Chemistry

Funnel Plastic
Yield Point Gel Strength Salinity Hardness Alkalinity
Viscosity Viscosity
 Mud

 MEANING:

 Provides hydrostatic pressure to maintain borehole stability and control of formation pore pressure.

 UNITS:

 Pounds per gallon (ppg or lb/gal).

 Specific gravity (g /cc).
 Hydrostatic pressure gradient (psi/ft).

 ADDITIVES:
 Barite (BaSo4).
 Marble Fine (CaCo3).
 Calcium Chloride.
 Sodium Chloride.
 Potassium Chloride.
 Mud

A- Funnel Viscosity: .A

 MEANING:

• Qualitative measurement made by rig personnel to monitor mud condition.

• The fluid resistance to flow, and it is a relation between shear stress and shear rate.
• Shear stress is the internal resistance of a fluid to flow at a shear rate.
• Shear rate is related to flow rate.
 UNITS: .
• Seconds per quart (sec/qt).
• Seconds per liter (sec/lt).
 APPARATUS:
• Marsh Funnel.
 ADDITIVES:
• Bentonite.
• Polymers (ex: XC Polymer, HEC, PAC).
 Mud

B- Plastic Viscosity: .A

 MEANING:
• It is that part of flow resistance in a mud caused primarily by the friction between the suspended particles and by the
viscosity of the continuous liquid phase. i.e. it is a representation of the concentration, size and shape of the solid
particles.

 UNITS:
• Seconds per quart (sec/qt).
• Seconds per litre (sec/lt).
 APPARATUS:
• Viscometer or rheometer (Fann V-G Meter).
• PV = θ600 - θ300.
 ADDITIVES:
• Bentonite.
• Polymers (ex: XC Polymer, HEC, PAC).
 Mud

C-Yield Point:
 MEANING:
• Measure of attractive forces in the mud, responsible for suspension of cuttings in
dynamic conditions (carrying capacity).
 UNITS:
• lbf/100sq ft.
• Pascals (Pa) = lbs/100sq.ft x 0.48.
 APPARATUS:
• Viscometer or rheometer (Fann V-G Meter).
• YP = θ300 – PV.
 ADDITIVES:
• Bentonite.
• Polymers.

 PV/YP:
• Can be used for calculating the pressure loss
in the circulating system.
• When PV rises it means that the solids control equipment are running inefficiently.
• YP should be just high enough to suspend the cuttings as they are circulated up
the annulus.
 Mud
To measure Mud rheology
 Place mud sample into container and immerse rotor sleeve in the
container, and rotate with 600 rpm then 300 rpm to get PV “ PV= 600
rpm-300 rpm “

 Then calculate Y.P= PV-300 rpm.

 Rotate at 200 rpm and 100 rpm, and take readings.

 Rotate at 6 rpm and 3 rpm , and take reading.

 For Gel strength:

wait 10 sec. and take 3 rpm reading \ wait 10 min. and take 3 rpm
reading.
 Mud

D- Gel Strength:

 MEANING:

 Is the attractive force between particles of the solution, responsible for the suspension of cuttings in static
conditions (carrying capacity).
 UNITS:
 lbf/100sq ft.
 Pascals (Pa) = lbs/100sq.ft x 0.48.
 APPARATUS:
 Six speed viscometer.
 There are two readings for gel strengths, 10 second and
10 minute with the speed of the viscometer set at 3 rpm. The fluid must have remained static prior to each test,
and the highest peak reading will be reported.
 ADDITIVES:
 Bentonite.
 Polymers .
 Mud

A- PH:

 MEANING:
• Is a measure of acidity or alkalinity of drilling mud as expressed in the hydrogen ion concentration . It is used as
an aid in determining for type of mud treatment and as indication of contaminants such as cement, gypsum.
 APPARATUS:
• PH meter .
• PH strip.
 ADDITIVES:
• Caustic Soda, Potash, Lime, Soda Ash.
 NOTES:
• Low pH environments tend to be corrosive and may suggest mud contamination
by acid gases.
• High pH may inhibit the yield of clays.
• High pH may cause the dysfunction of polymers.
• Typical range from 8.5 to 12.5.
 Mud

B. Alkalinity:

 Pm Is a measure of the alkalinity contributing compounds “soluble and insoluble” in a drilling fluid
while total volume of standard acid to lower pH to 8.3 of 1 cc of mud.

 A measure of the alkalinity contributing compounds, soluble and insoluble, in a drilling fluid.

 The total volume of standard acid required to lower the pH of one cubic centimeter of whole mud to a Ph
of 8.3.

 Indicator of insoluble lime or cement.

 Control the excess lime and gyp in calcium inhibited drilling fluids.

 Control acid gas contamination.

 Mud
A. Fluid Loss:
 ADDITIVES:
 Starch.
 Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC).
 Polyanionic Cellulose (PAC).
 High filtrate volumes means that:
 Dehydration of drilling fluid on trips.
 Differential sticking of drill string.
 Formation damage.
 Bore hole instability.
 Bit balling.
 Low filtrate volumes means that:
 Decreased drill rate.
 Increased cost.
 Fluid Loss affected by:
 Time.
 Pressure.
 Viscosity.
 Filter cake permeability and solids orientation and composition.
 Mud

B. Filter Cake:
 UNIT:
 Thickness is measured in 1 /32".

 Thick permeable, sticky, and soft  Thick, permeable, and firm

 Torque and drag.  Reduced hole erosion in sands and gravels.
 Differential sticking.  Differential sticking.

 Thin impermeable, slick, and firm

 Low drill string friction in uncased hole.
 Good formation stability.
 Notes:
 A mud system with a low value of filtrate loss cause minimum swelling of clays and minimum formation damage .
 The filter cake should be in the region of 1 to 2 /32" and should never be greater than 3/32", even in an HPHT test with
WBM.
 High measured filtration rates suggests high rates of fluid loss down hole accompanied by thick permeable wall cakes
 Mud

A. Salinity:

 Measure of the chloride concentration in the continuous phase (usually sodium chloride).

 May cause loss of filtration control.

 May cause loss of viscosity control.

 May be required for inhibition:

• Prevent contamination of mud when encountered.
• Prevent excessive dispersion of reactive drill solids.
• Prevent or reduce hydration of formation clays to improve bore hole stability.
 Mud

B. Hardness:
 Determines the concentration Ca+2, Mg+2, and Fe+2.

 May cause loss of filtration control.

 May cause loss of viscosity control.

 May be required as inhibiting ions:

• Prevent contamination of mud when encountered
• Prevent excessive dispersion of reactive drill solids
• Prevent or reduce hydration of formation clays to improve bore hole stability.
 Mud

C. Alkalinity ( Pf/Mf ):

 Measure of the water soluble ions found in the continuous phase that neutralize acids.

 Pf is a measure of the ion concentrations to a Ph of 8.3

 Mf is a measure of the ion concentration down to a Ph of 4.3

 Many drilling fluid additives require control of carbonates, bicarbonates, and hydroxyl ions to
function.

 Identification of contaminants that cause the loss of viscosity, gel strength, and filtrate control may
require identification of the ions contributing to alkalinity.
 Mud

Commercial Solids :

 Provide density.
 Viscous fluid properties.
 Lubrication.

Formation Solids:

 Cause loss of viscosity control.

 Erosion and abrasion of the circulating system and drilling tools
 High filtrate losses.
 Thick and sticky wall cakes.
.
 Mud

The following information should be collected and used when selecting drilling mud for
a particular well:

1. Pore pressure /fracture gradient plots to establish the minimum / maximum mud weights to be used on the
whole well.

2. Offset well data from similar wells in the area to help establish successful mud systems, problematic
formations, potential hazards, estimated drilling time.

3. Geological plot of the prognosed lithology.

4. Casing design programme and casing seat depths.

5. Basic mud properties required for each open hole section before it is cased off.
 Mud
SUMMERY
How can mud additives affect drilled cuttings and logs:

Mud Additives Effect

Calcium Carbonate. Mask Sands ( Add HCL ).
Barite. Increases Density and PEF.
Diesel & Soltex. Increases Gases.
Potassium Chloride. Increases GR.
Weighting Materials Decreases Resistivity.
( Hematite-Magnetite ).

Salinity > 150 k. No cutting return while drilling salt

sections till it over saturated.
 Mud
Products and their Applications
CHEMICAL COMMON NAME PRIMARY APPLICATIONS

1. Caustic Soda (NaOH) Caustic Soda Increase pH

2. Caustic Potash (KOH) Caustic Potash Increase pH and K+

3. Lime (CaOH2) Lime Increase pH & treat CO3

4. Gypsum / Anhydrite (CaSO4) Gypsum Increase Ca2+ treat CO3

5. Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) Sodium Bicarbonate Treat Cement

6. Soda Ash Na2CO3) Soda Ash Treat Hardness

(Ca2+, Mg2+)
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Products and their Applications
CHEMICAL COMMON NAME PRIMARY APPLICATIONS

7. Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate SAPP Treat cement & thin mud

8. Citric Acid Citric Acid Decrease Ph

9. Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Sodium Chloride Increase Cl- (WBM)

10. Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) Calcium Chloride Increase Cl- (OBM / SBM)

11. Potassium Chloride (KCl) Potassium Chloride Increase Cl- and K+

12. Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Zinc Oxide Scavenge H2S

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Products and their Applications

CHEMICAL COMMON NAME PRIMARY APPLICATIONS

WEIGHTING MATERIALS:

1. BARITE BAR Increase Mud Density

Barium Sulfate (BaSO4)

2. HEMATITE Increase Mud Density

Ferris Oxide (Fe2O3)

3. CALCIUM CARBONATE (CaCO3) Calcium carb Increase Mud Density, LCM

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Products and their Applications

CHEMICAL COMMON NAME PRIMARY APPLICATIONS

CLAYS:

1. BENTONITE GEL Increase Viscosity, Decrease FL

2. BENTONITE GEL Increase Viscosity, Decrease FL

(Non-Treated)

3. ATTAPULGITE SALT GEL Increase Viscosity

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Products and their Applications
CHEMICAL COMMON NAME PRIMARY APPLICATIONS

THINNER / DEFLOCCULANTS AND FLC PRODUCTS:

1. Lignite LIGNITE Decrease FL, deflocculate mud

2. Chrome Lignosulfonate Deflocculate mud

3. Lignosulfonate Deflocculate mud (Chrome Free)

4. Causticised Chrome Lignite Decrease HT FL, deflocculate mud

5. Resin treated Lignite Decrease HT FL

6. Synthetic Resin (liquid) Decrease HT FL (env)

7. Potassium Lignite Decrease FL & add K+

8. Sodium Polyacrylate Decrease HT FL

9. Polyacrylate (Low MW) Deflocculate mud

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Products and their Applications

CHEMICAL COMMON NAME PRIMARY APPLICATIONS

POLYMERS:

1. PHPA PHPA Encapsulate clays

(Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide)

2. PAC PAC REGULAR Decrease FL increase viscosity

(Poly Anionic Cellulose)

3. PAC LV PAC Low vis Decrease FL

4. PAC (extra low viscosity) PAC ELV Decrease FL

5. CMC CMC Decrease FL & increase viscosity

Carboxy Methyl Cellulose

6. Corn Starch Corn starch Decrease FL

7. Potato Starch Drilling starch Decrease FL

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Products and their Applications
CHEMICAL COMMON NAME PRIMARY APPLICATIONS

8. Carboxy Methyl Starch Decrease FL

9. XCD (Biopolymer) XCD Increase LSRV

10. Starch derivative FLO-TROL Decrease FL

11. Clarified Biopolymer FLO-VIS Increase LSRV

12. Bentonite extender Increase Viscosity

13. Clay Flocculent Selectively Flocculate Clays

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Solids Control Equipments

Flo-Line Primer
DE-AG Agitator Divider

Pyramid Screens Mud

Cleaner 2000

Centrifuge
Hi’G Dryer

Desilter Degasser
Desander
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Shale shaker

 How to select shaker screens ? Hole size Mesh size

Shale shaker Screens are selected according to:

 bit size 26” 50 – 70

17” 70 – 100
 hole size 12 ½” 100 – 120
 flow rate 8 ½” 120 – 150
6” 150 - 200
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Desander and desilter

• How to check on the desander and the desilter ?

The pressure gauge reading 30-40 psi
solids get out from the bottom as spring shape
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Particle Size
 Particles in the drilling fluid (e.g. Drilled Solids, Barite, LCM or Bridging Agents) are usually categorized
as follows:

Particle Classification Particle Size Sieve Size

Coarse Above 2000 micron 10-mesh
Intermediate 250 to 2000 micron 60-mesh
Medium 74 to 250 micron 200-mesh
Fine 44 to 74 micron 325-mesh
Ultra-Fine 2 to 44 micron -
Colloidal Below 2 micron -
 Poor solids control will allow larger particles to be retained in the drilling fluid, which will produce a poor
quality filter cake with poor fluid loss control, leading to differentially stuck pipe and other mud-related
problems.
 The large particles eventually get broken down into smaller particles during subsequent circulations around
the hole, making removal much more difficult.
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Shale shaker
 The primary and probably most important device on the rig for removing drilled solids from the mud.
A wire-cloth screen vibrates while the drilling fluid flows on top of it. The liquid phase of the mud and
solids smaller than the wire mesh pass through the screen, while larger solids are retained on the
screen and eventually fall off the back of the device and are discarded.
Where it was once common for drilling rigs to have only one or two shale shakers, modern high-
efficiency rigs are often fitted with four or more shakers.
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1. Unbonded Hookstrip Screens.

 Simplest screen design.

 Single or multi-layer.
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2. Pretensioned Screens.

 Good screen life.

 Easy to use.
 Flat screening surface.
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3. Composite Screens.
 Lightweight composite construction.
 Sub-divided for increased screen life.
 Repairable.
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 Benefit of Composite Screens.

 Weight – Composite screens are typically ½ the weight of metal screen equivalents.
 Screen life – Consistent product quality.
 Solids Transport – Composite screens are better at conveying solids.

Metal Screen Composite Screen

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Screen Mesh
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a d
Screen Mesh Definitions

n 1”

Aperture (a) Space between adjacent parallel wires, in mm.

Wire Diameter (d) Diameter of wire before weaving, in mm.
Mesh Count (n) Number of apertures per lineal inch measured from the centre of one wire to a
point 1 inch (25.4 mm) distant.
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 Effect of Wire Diameter

All these cloth types have the same mesh count and
all have different aperture sizes
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 Mesh Layering
 Several layers of wirecloth may be used to make any screen.
 Therefore it should be clear that mesh count alone does not
indicate the separation performance.
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Desander
 A hydrocyclone device that removes large drill solids from the whole mud system.
The desander should be located downstream of the shale shakers and degassers, but
before the desilters or mud cleaners.Various size desander and desilter cones are
functionally identical, with the size of the cone determining the size of particles the
device removes from the mud system.

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Desilter
A hydrocyclone much like a desander except that its design incorporates a greater
number of smaller cones. As with the desander, its purpose is to remove unwanted
solids from the mud system. The smaller cones allow the desilter to efficiently
remove smaller diameter drill solids than a desander does. For that reason, the
desilter is located downstream from the desander in the surface mud system.

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Mud Cleaner
A Mud Cleaner is effectively a Desilter mounted above a Shale-Shaker that is dressed with fine
screens (200-mesh or finer).
The vibrating Mud Cleaner screen openings are large enough to allow Barite and fluid in the
Desilter cone underflow spray to pass through and return to the circulating system, but small
enough so that coarser particles than Barite are screened out (i.e. particles larger that 74-microns).
The Mud Cleaner is effective in reducing drilling fluid costs when using weighted or high value
drilling fluid systems because drilling fluid and Barite from the wet discharge of the Desilter
underflow are recovered and retained in the circulating system.
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Centrifuge
The reason for centrifuging weighted drilling fluids is to remove colloidal solids when the
concentration of fines builds-up to the point where it starts to have a detrimental effect on mud
rheology, filter cake quality and drilling performance (reduced ROPs and hole problems that
could result in the loss of the drill string in the hole, or loss of the hole itself).
Centrifuges reduce colloidal solids to acceptable levels, resulting in an improvement in drilling
fluid quality without the need for costly dilution treatments.
Centrifuges can only process a relatively small part of the drilling fluid returns, so low gravity
solids will still be retained in the circulating system.
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 Shale shaker: Is The First Solid Control Equipment Which Receive Mud,
Separates Mud From Large Cuttings.
 Desander: Separating sand sized solids from mud.
 Desilter: Separating Silt sized solids from mud.
 Mud cleaner: Separating fine solids from mud , it‟s screens are ( 200-250
mesh ).
 Sand trap\settling tank : is a pyramidal tank below shale shaker and de
sander and desilter and Mud cleaner .
 Centrifuge : can be used as a barite recovery equipment in high weight mud,
and as a solid control equipment which separates very fine solids.
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 Shale shaker screens:- Selection of screens according to hole

size, Lithology, Bit type, Flow rate.

 hole 26” = 50-70 mesh

 hole 17.5” = 70-100 mesh
 hole 12 1\4 “ = 100-120 mesh
 hole 8.5 “ = 120-150 mesh
 hole 6” = 160-200 mesh
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Reference.
1. Basic Drilling Fluids School.
2. EMEC Drilling Fluids Manual.
3. Baroid Drilling Fluids Manual.