Chapter 1.

Introduction

All drilling personnel recognize the importance of mud in the successful drilling of
a well. One of the primary uses for drilling fluid is to carry unwanted drilled solids
from the borehole. These solids are essentially a contaminant and, if left in the
mud, can lead to numerous operational problems. Three options are available to
maintain acceptable drilling fluid properties:

1. Do nothing and let the solids build up. When the mud no longer meets specifi-
cations, throw it away and start with fresh mud.

2. Dilute the mud and rebuild the system to keep the properties within accept-
able ranges, while dumping excess mud to the reserve pit.

3. Lower the solids content of the mud through solids removal to minimize the
addition/dilution necessary to maintain acceptable properties.

In recent years, increased public awareness of environmental issues has provided

both regulatory and economic incentives to minimize drilling waste. In many
instances, the first two choices have become very expensive and unacceptable.
This has served to stress the importance of the third option, efficient solids con-
trol. Using solids removal to minimize addition/dilution volumes is normally most
effective and provides the following benefits:

• Increased penetration rates

• Reduced mud costs
• Lower water requirements
• Reduced torque and drag
• Less mixing problems
• Reduced system pressure losses
• Lower circulating density (ECD)
• Better cement jobs
• Reduced instances of lost circulation
• Reduced formation damage
• Less differential sticking
• Reduced environmental impact
• Less waste, lower disposal costs
It is apparent from this list that the role of solids control is instrumental in the main-
tenance of a good drilling fluid. Solids control equipment has been standard hard-

1.1
“Proprietary: - for the exclusive use of Chevron Corporation and other wholly owned subsidiaries of Chevron Corporation.”
 Introduction

ware on most rotary drilling rigs since the early 1960s. In the early years, many of
the solid/liquid separation devices were borrowed from other industries and
applied directly to oilfield rotary drilling. Although the basic operating principles
and technology associated with mechanical solids removal have not changed sig-
nificantly over the years, refinements in design specifically for drilling applications
have yielded considerable improvements in performance and reliability.

This manual provides drilling personnel with the information to help optimize the
selection and operation of solids control equipment. Emphasis is placed on
mechanical solids removal equipment and the factors that impact its performance.
Practical operating guidelines are provided to help achieve maximum perfor-
mance in the field.

1.2
“Proprietary: - for the exclusive use of Chevron Corporation and other wholly owned subsidiaries of Chevron Corporation.”