AZ ERI

Original Issue: 30.09.2019

Azeri M-I Standard and Procedures Manual Review Date: 06.03.2022

Written By: Next Revision: 06.03.2024

Blanca Espinosa
Drilling Solutions Revision: 0
Approved by:
Nick Hore LAB 1008 PRO - Static Sag Test Procedure Document Type: Procedure

1 SCOPE
This procedure covers static sag measurements using stainless steel hot-rolling cells at temperatures up to
400°F. The method uses the “new” static Sag Factor (SF) calculation based on an average fluid density
measurement obtained prior to aging compared to that of the bottom 25% of the sagged fluid. It can be
adapted to allow measurement of the sag profile if required.

The static sag test is designed to simulate sag tendencies at down hole temperature. The test can also be run
at an angle to simulate the hole angle. The test can be applied to both waterbase and oil-base systems.

2 PROCEDURAL LIMITATIONS

Only applies to samples static-aged in bombs placed vertically in the oven. For tests to be performed at an
angle a task-specific risk assessment is required. This RA should cover the equipment used in maintaining
the required angle within the oven space.

This procedure is limited to 350 0F. Tests carried out above this temperature require a task-specific risk
assessment due to the possibility of generating noxious breakdown products.

3 EQUIPMENT
 20 ml calibrated retort cup (pycnometer), for density measurements.
 500 ml static aging cell
 Cradles to allow cells to be placed at 45 degrees (optional)
 60 ml syringe with pipetting standard hub blunt end needle.

4 PROCEDURE
1. Weight the retort cup (pycnometer), complete with lid.
2. Using a syringe, carefully fill the retort cup with test fluid to a slight excess, tapping the cell occasionally in
order to remove any trapped air bubbles.
3. Carefully place on the lid ensuring that any excess fluid is expelled through the hole in the center and
wipe off the excess fluid.
4. Hold the cup and push the lid firmly down again removing any excess mud from the outside of the retort
cup.
5. The weight of the known volume mud is then measured at room temperature, from which the initial density
(D1) can be determined. D1(ppg)= [(weight of pycnometer with mud- weight of empty pycnometer)/20] *
8.345.
6. Place 350 ml mud into a 500 ml cell aging cell, and follow the work instruction #337
7. Age the cell for the designated time (recommended 16 hours) at the designated temperature
(recommended bottom hole temperature). If an angle is specified, set the cell at an angle in the oven,
supported by the wall of the oven. If the fluid will be put to static heat age after being hot rolled, make
sure the sample is sheared on a Hamilton Beach mixer @ 3000 rpm * 5 min before putting it under static
heat aging conditions.

Date Printed : Wednesday, 21 June 2023 Uncontrolled when printed : controlled copy is located on SharePoint Support website Page 1 of 3
 AZ ERI
Original Issue: 30.09.2019
Azeri M-I Standard and Procedures Manual Review Date: 06.03.2022

Written By: Next Revision: 06.03.2024

Blanca Espinosa
Drilling Solutions Revision: 0
Approved by:
Nick Hore LAB 1008 PRO - Static Sag Test Procedure Document Type: Procedure

8. After the aging cycle, cool the sample to room temperature by immersing in the cooling sink. When
removing the cells for cooling, take care to avoid unnecessary shaking or disturbance and keep the cells
vertical at all times. If the aging temperature is above 121 0 C (2500 F), the bombs should be cooled in air
for a short period, ideally at least 30 minutes, before immersing in the cooling sink. The complete cooling
process should take no longer than 2 hours.
9. If the static ageing is carried out at 45 degrees in the cradles, there is some debate as to whether they
should be kept on the cradles during cooling and sampling. If the mud is highly gelled, sampling at 45
degrees may be preferable but in other cases carefully restoring the cells to vertical is more practical and
should allow more accurate sampling of the different layers.
10. Record the appearance of all sub-samples you take (e.g. lumpy, grainy, strongly gelled etc.). Keep all the
sub samples for recombining if required (see notes).
11. Carefully extract any free fluid (oil or aqueous) from the top of the cell using a syringe. Record the volume
as the Free Oil (or Free Water/Brine).
12. Using a spoon or syringe, carefully remove 75% of the remaining fluid into a 250 mL plastic beaker
including Free oil volume. Example: if there is 350 mL of mud into the aging cell, so 75% is 262.5 mL
(including free oil) and the bottom 25% corresponds to 87.5 mL. Volume measurement to +/- 5.0 mL is
acceptable. Those amounts can be converted proportionally by measuring heights respectively using a
ruler, and the appropriate height for the bottom layer of 25% can be found out by subtracting them as
described better schematically as follows:

Blue Line: Height of the Aging cell Inside

Green Line: Height from the top of the cell to the mud surface that
includes free oil volume.
Red Line: 75 % vol removed from the top layer mud
(as per the example for 262.5 mL)

Free Oil

Top layer
75% vol
including
Free Oil

Bottom layer
25% vol

Date Printed : Wednesday, 21 June 2023 Uncontrolled when printed : controlled copy is located on SharePoint Support website Page 2 of 3
 AZ ERI
Original Issue: 30.09.2019
Azeri M-I Standard and Procedures Manual Review Date: 06.03.2022

Written By: Next Revision: 06.03.2024

Blanca Espinosa
Drilling Solutions Revision: 0
Approved by:
Nick Hore LAB 1008 PRO - Static Sag Test Procedure Document Type: Procedure

13.Combine, in a different beaker, the remaining bottom fluid from the aging cell. Homogenize this sample by
mixing on the Hamilton Beech mixer for +/- 5 minutes at low speed (hold the beaker carefully under the mixer).
Ensure that the sample contains no air. Measure the density of this sample using the 20mL retort cup method
as used for the initial density measurement. Use the same cell if possible. Record the density (D2) and
measurement temperature.

14.Calculate the Sag Factor as: Density Bottom Portion / (2 x Average Fluid Density measured before ageing)
i.e.

Sag Factor = D2 / (2 x D1)

15.Interpretation: A Sag Factor of 0.5 corresponds to zero sag. Sag factors > 0.53 should be considered poor
in terms of static sag.

5 RISKS AND RECOMMENDED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

The main risks will come from contact with fluids, wear appropriate gloves and from accidental spills or
accidents involving glassware. Take particular care when handling the bombs, wear safety shoes / boots.

6 REFERENCES
Work Instruction Manual, Research and Engineering Technical Services Laboratory

7 REVISION HISTORY
Rev. Date Description Prepared by Approved by
0 30.09.2019 Original issue Blanca Espinosa Nick Hore

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