Introduction:

Sand is defined as solids with grain.

the sand content in the mud is measured by using sand content
apparatus. the apparatus consists of 200 mesh and glass tube
calibrated to read directly the percentages of sand by volume in the
bottom of the tube ,which is graduated from 0 to 20 percent .sand is
abrasive to the fluid circulating system, and deSanders usually are
used when necessary to maintain the sand content at low level..

Why it is important to measure the sand content?

Because solids can cause pitting wear to drill pipe this lead to create
corrosion, reduce the efficiency of the mud pumps and increase of repair
cost at pump operation.
SAND CONTENT APPARATUS
 Source of sands in the mud:-
1- Drilling formation.
2- Adding the materials to mud such as
(Barite + sand).

 Effect of sand on mud properties:-

1- Density is increasing.
2- Plastic viscosity is increasing.
3- Fluid loss is increasing.
4- Yield point is increasing.
5- ROP decrease.
6- RPM decrease.
7- Increase formation damage.

 Control equipment of solids:-

1- Shale shaker.
2- Desander.
3- Dsalter.
4- Centrifuge.

 Important the measured sand content:-

Because the sand in the mud causes increase mud density, plastic
viscosity and yield point . this effecting on RPM and ROP . and so to
estimate mud cake thickness.
Procedures:
1- Fill the glass measuring tube to the indicated mark with mud.
2- Add water to the next mark. Close the mouth of the tube and shake
vigorously.
3- Pour the mixture onto the dean, wet screen. Discard the liquid passing
through the screen. Add more water to the tube, shake and again pour
onto the screen.
4- Repeat until the wash water passes through clear. Wash the sand
retained on the screen to free it of any remaining mud.
5- Fit the funnel upside down over the top of the screen. Slowly invert the
assembly and insert the tip of the funnel into the mouth of the glass tube.
6- Wash the sand into the tube by playing a fine spray of water through
the screen.
7- Allow the sand to settle. From the graduations on the tube read the
percent by volume of the sand.

Mixture Mud weight PV Yp Sand content

%
Mud 8.5 2 6 0.2
Mud+2.5gm 8.6 3 7 0.4
sand
Mud+5gm 8.8 4 8 0.65
sand
Mud+7.5gm 8.85 5 9 1
sand
What the reason of measuring sand content?

The importance of measuring sand content is the effect of sand on the

drilling fluid, which causes increase in mud density, plastic viscosity,
and yield point. These have effect on RPM and ROP. And so the
estimation of mud cake thickness, and it's effect on formation
damage, and finally its effect on pipelines leading to stuck pipe and
corrosion in the drilling string.
 9.8

8.8

7.8

6.8
ytisned

5.8

4.8

3.8
2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 1 1.1

% tnetnoc dnas
 6

3
P.V

0
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1

S.C %
 01

5
P.Y

0
2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 1 1.1

% C.S
 10

5
API

0
0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1

S.C %
References:
1- Drilling fluids reference manual.
2- Applied drilling engineering.
3- from sheets.