How Do Drilling Fluids Work?

Cuttings in Circulating Driling FluidsSource: Oil & Gas UK

Drilling deeper, longer and more challenging wells has been made possible by
improvements in drilling technologies, including more efficient and effective drilling
fluids. Drilling fluids, also referred to as drilling mud, are added to the wellbore to
facilitate the drilling process by suspending cuttings, controlling pressure, stabilizing
exposed rock, providing buoyancy, and cooling and lubricating.

As early as the third century BC, the Chinese were using drilling fluids, in the form of
water, to help permeate the ground when drilling for hydrocarbons. The term "mud"
was coined when at Spindletop in the US, drillers ran a herd of cattle through a
watered-down field and used the resulting mud to lubricate the drill.

While the technology and chemistry of drilling fluids have become much more
complex, the concept has remained the same. Drilling fluids are essential to drilling
success, both maximizing recovery and minimizing the amount of time it takes to
achieve first oil.

Purposes of Drilling Fluid

During drilling, cuttings are obviously created, but they do not usually pose a problem
until drilling stops because a drillbit requires replacement or another problem. When
this happens, and drilling fluids are not used, the cuttings then fill the hole again.
Drilling fluids are used as a suspension tool to keep this from happening. The
viscosity of the drilling fluid increases when movement decreases, allowing the fluid
to have a liquid consistency when drilling is occurring and then turn into a more solid
substance when drilling has stopped. Cuttings are then suspended in the well until
the drill is again inserted. This gel-like substance then transforms again into a liquid
when drilling starts back up.

Drilling fluids also help to control pressure in a well by offsetting the pressure of the
hydrocarbons and the rock formations. Weighing agents are added to the drilling
fluids to increase its density and, therefore, its pressure on the walls of the well.

Another important function of drilling fluids is rock stabilization. Special additives are
used to ensure that the drilling fluid is not absorbed by the rock formation in the well
and that the pores of the rock formation are not clogged.

The longer the well, the more drill pipe is needed to drill the well. This amount of drill
pipe gets heavy, and the drilling fluid adds buoyancy, reducing stress. Additionally,
drilling fluid helps to reduce friction with the rock formation, reducing heat. This
lubrication and cooling helps to prolong the life of the drillbit.

Drilling Fluids Source: OSHA

Types of Drilling Fluids
Drilling fluids are water-, oil- or synthetic-based, and each composition provides
different solutions in the well. If rock formation is composed of salt or clay, proper
action must be taken for the drilling fluids to be effective. In fact, a drilling fluid
engineer oversees the drilling, adding drilling fluid additives throughout the process to
achieve more buoyancy or minimize friction, whatever the need may be.
In addition to considering the chemical composition and properties of the well, a
drilling fluid engineer must also take environmental impact into account when
prescribing the type of drilling fluid necessary in a well. Oil-based drilling fluids may
work better with a saltier rock. Water-based drilling fluids are generally considered to
affect the environment less during offshore drilling.

Disposal of drilling fluids after they are used can also be a challenge. Recent
technological advances have established methods for recycling drilling fluids.

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