FIELD TESTS ON DRILLING

FLUIDS
2.1 MUD DENSITY
2.2 VISCOSITY
2.3 GEL STRENGTH
2.4 FILTRATION
2.5 SAND CONTENT
2.6 LIQUID AND SOLID CONTENT
2.7 pH DETERMINATION
2.8 ALKALINITY
2.9 CHLORIDE CONTENT
2.10 CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY

GROUP 5 / PETE 5202

FIELD TESTS ON DRILLING
FLUIDS
• MUD ENGINEER
• PROPERTIES
2.1 Mud Density
2.1 Mud density
⚫ Can be determined with the mud balance
as shown:
⚫ The cup of mud balance is completely
filled with a sample of the mud amd the
lid placed firmly on top.
⚫ The balance arm is placed on the base
and the rider adjusted until the arm is
level.

◦ Mud densities are usually reported to the

nearest 0.1 ppg, other units used are
lbs/ft3, psi/ft, psi/1000ft, kg/l, and specific
gravity (SG)
 2.2 Viscosity
“A measure of a liquid’s resistance to flow”
Marsh Funnel
⚫ It is used to make a very
quick test of the viscosity of
the drilling fluid.
⚫ Can only give an indication
of changes in viscosity and
cannot be used to quantify
the rheological properties
of the mud (Yield Point,
Plastic Viscosity)
⚫ The funnel viscosity can
only be used for checking
radical changes in mud
viscosity
Rotational Viscometer
⚫ This is used to quantify the
rheological properties of
the drilling mud
⚫ Working Principle: By
shearing a sample of mud,
at a series of prescribed
rates and measuring the
shear stress on the fluid at
these different rates.
2.3 Gel Strength
 Strength of any internal
structures (when mud is static)

2.3 Gel Provide indication of pressure

required to initiate flow
Strength
Provide indication of the
suspension of mud properties
and its ability to suspend
cuttings
 2.3 Gel
Strength

⚫ Can be measured via

Multi-rate Viscometer
⚫ For the 10 second gel:
> after mud remained
static for 10 secs
> set rotor at 3 rpm and
note deflection
⚫ For the 10 minute gel:
> after mud remained
static for 10 mins
> set rotor at 3 rpm and
note deflection
⚫ Both gels are measured in
the same units as Yield
Point ( lbs/100ft^2)
2.4 Filtration
2.4 Filtration
Filter Press- to measure the filter cake building properties
of mud
> rate at which fluid from a mud sample is forced through a
filter
> thickness of solid residue deposited on filter paper\

This test do not accurately simulate downhole conditions

In the wellbore, Filtration occurs under dynamic conditions

with mud flowing past the wall of the hole
2.4
Filtration

⚫ Room Temperature
⚫ 100 psi Pressure
⚫ Special cell that
can withstand (500
psi and 300
degreeesF)
⚫ 30 minutes
2.5 Sand Content
2.5 Sand Content
⚫ A high proportion of sand in the mud
can damage the mud pumps and is
therefore undesirable. The percentage
of sand in the mud is therefore
measured regularly using a 200 mesh
sieve and a granulated tube.
Why is it important?
⚫ Regular determination of the sand content
of drilling mud is necessary because these
particles can be highly abrasive, and can cause
excessive wear of pump parts, drill bits, and
pipe connections, excessive sand may also
result in the deposition of a thick filter cake
on the walls of the hole, or it may settle in
the hole around the tools when circulation is
temporarily halted, interfering with the
operation of drilling tools of settling casing.
Sand Content Apparatus
2.6 Liquid and
Solid Content
2.6 Liquid and Solid Content
⚫ If pipe sticking is to be avoided, the
proportion of the solids in the mud should
not exceed by 10% by volume. A carefully
measured sample of mud is heated un a
retort until the liquid components are
vaporized. The vapours are the condensed,
and collected in the measuring glass. The
volume of liquid is read off directly as a
percentage. The volume of solids is found by
subtraction from 100%
Solid Content
⚫ Solid content is a fraction of the total solid in
drilling mud, and it always increases while
drilling ahead because of drilling solid
(cuttings), mud chemical additives and
weighting material. Solid content refers to
soluble and insoluble solid content in the
drilling fluid system.
◦ Soluble material such as salt
◦ Insoluble high gravity solid (HGS) such as
weighting agents (barite, calcium carbonate,
hematite, etc.)
◦ Insoluble low gravity solid (LGS) or drilled solid
such as solids particles from cuttings
 2.7 pH
Determination
pH Test
⚫ Inchemistry, pH is a measure of the
concentration of hydrogen ions in an
aqueous solution.
⚫ pH Meter ⚫ pHydrion Paper
(Electronic Method) (Colorimetric Method)
2.8 Alkalinity
Alkalinity
⚫ Alkalinity is the acid neutralizing
power of a substance.
⚫ In drilling fluid testing, alkalinity can
be measured on either whole mud
(Pm = mud alkalinity) or on the
filtrate as collected with a filter press
(Pf = filtrate alkalinity)
2.9 Chloride
Content
 Chloride content
The amount of chloride in the
mud is a measure of the salt
contamination from the
formation.

Principle Procedure Calculation

The procedure for measuring the

quantity of salt in the mud is to
take a sample of filtrate of the mud,
adding phenolphthalein and
titrating with acid until the colour
changes. 25-50 ml of distilled water
and a small amount of potassium
chromate solution is then added.
The solution is stirred continuously
while silver nitrate is added drop
by drop. The end point is reached
when the colour changes.
 2.10 Cation
Exchange Capacity
 Cation Exchange Capacity
Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
is the total capacity of a soil to
hold exchangeable cations. CEC
is an inherent soil characteristic
and is difficult to alter
significantly. It influences the
soil's ability to hold onto
essential nutrients and provides
a buffer against soil
acidification.

Principle Procedure Calculation

A small mud sample is put in a

flash where it is first treated
with hydrogen peroxide to
remove most of the organic
content. Methylene blue
solution is added in increments
of 0.5ml. After each increment
the flash is well shaken, and
while the solids are still
suspended one drop is placed
on filter paper. The end point is
reached when the dye appears
as a greenish-blue ring around