Drillin Mud

Schlumberger-ROO FAST TRACK DRILLING TRAINING
Module – 6
Drilling Fluids &
SCE
Section – 3
WBM Testing
Schlumberger-ROO FAST TRACK DRILLING TRAINING. Module 6: Drilling Fluids and SCE/ Section 2:
3: Products
WBM Testings
and Systems 1/37
WATER BASE MUD TESTING
WATER BASE MUD
WATERTESTING
BASE MUD
TESTING
Schlumberger-ROO FAST TRACK DRILLING TRAINING. Module 6: Drilling Fluids and SCE/ Section 3: WBM Testings 2/37
MUD WEIGHT / DENSITY
lbs / gal - Pounds per Gallon.
s.g. - Specific gravity.
lbs / ft3 - Pounds per Cubic Foot.
psi / 1000 ft - Pounds per Square Inch

PER 1000 ft. (Vertical Depth)
(a hydrostatic pressure gradient)
MUD WEIGHT / DENSITY
VISCOSITY- Internal Resistance to Flow.
The Ratio of Shear Stress to Shear Rate.

Most Drilling Fluid Viscosity Varies With Shear Rate.
Funnel Viscosity - Seconds per Quart

Water = 26 seconds +/- ½ second
Plastic Viscosity – Centipoise. (one gram /cm-sec)
PV = 600 - 300
Apparent Viscosity - Centipoise. (600÷2)
Effective Viscosity - The Measured or Calculated Viscosity
at a Given Shear Rate.
Low Shear Rate Viscosity - Centipoise.
FUNNEL VISCOSITY
The timed rate of flow in seconds per quart or seconds
per liter.
Begin with 1500 cc’s of mud poured thru a 12 mesh
screen.
Time the first 946 cc’s thru a 3/16” opening.
Calibrate The Funnel with water.

(26 Seconds per Quart)(+/- .5 second)
Funnel Viscosity
RHEOLOGY
FANN Model 35
VISCOMETER
(6 - Speed VG-Meter)
–  600  600
–  300 -  300
–  200 PV
–  100
– 6  300
– 3 - PV
YP
API FILTER PRESS
CC’S OF FILTRATE
COLLECTED: (STATIC)
@
100 psi
30 MINUTES
7.5 in2 # 50 Whatman
Paper
Ambient Temperature
FILTER CAKE
FLUID LOSS * API - HTHP
CC’s of FILTRATE collected X 2 (static)
– 30 minutes
– 300F
– 3.75 sq. in. #50 Whatman paper
– 500 psi - Differential Pressure
• 600 psi - TOP
• 100 psi - BOTTOM (back pressure)
This is one of several types of
units. Good For 300oF on a
regular basis.
For higher temperatures a

different type unit must be
used, and higher pressures (top
and bottom) should be used.
(Differential pressure should
still be 500 psi)
This type of unit is used
for temperatures above
300oF.
Usually employs Nitrogen
pressurization from a big
cylinder.
RETORT
% SOLIDS
– Calculated
% OIL
– Measured
% WATER
– Measured
SAND CONTENT
% By Volume Sand
CEC - {Cation Exchange Capacity}
The methylene blue test is used to measure the cation
exchange capacity of clay in the mud.
Increasing CEC indicates increasing content of reactive clay

in the mud - often also seen by increased YP and Gels.
If YP and GEL increase without any increase in CEC =>

indications of flocculation.
Procedure:
– 2 - cc’s Mud
– 15 - cc’s Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)
– 10 - cc’s Distilled Water
– 0.5 - cc’s 5N H2SO4
– Boil Gently for 10 minutes.
– Dilute to 50 cc’s with distilled water.
– Add Methylene blue 1 cc at a time.
(Total cc’s Methylene Blue) X (5)
(2 cc’s Mud)
= Equivalent Pounds Per Barrel of Bentonite.
CEC -{Cation Exchange Capacity}
pH
METER -
(Preferred
Method)
STRIPS -
(General Range)
Measuring of the alkalinity
Titration method using sulphuric acid
Pf /Mf Alkalinity of the mud filtrate
– Pf uses phenolphatelin as indicator, color change at
pH 8.3
– Mf uses methylene orange as indicator, color change
at pH 4.3
Pm Alkalinity of the mud
– Pm uses phenolphatelin as indicator, color change at
pH 8.3
Carbonate / Bicarbonate Equilibrium
P
e
rc
e
nt
1
0
0
=
H
C
2O3 C
O
3
8
0 -
H
C
O3
6
0
4
0
2
0
0
0 2 4 6 8 1
012 1
4
p
H
P
e
rc
e
nt
ofv
ar
i
ous
ca
r
bo
na
t
esp
e
ci
esa
t
di
ff
er
en
tp
Hv
a
lu
es
Pf
Pf Test for Alkalinity
2OH- + CO3= + HCO3- +2H+
phenolphthalein
OH- + 2 HCO3- + H2O
Mf
Mf Test for Alkalinity
HCO3- + 2H+ H2CO3 +H2O

methyl orange
Pm
Pm Test for Alkalinity
OH- + CO3= + Ca(OH)2 + 2H+
(a solid)
phenolphthalein
H2O + 2HCO3- + 2OH- + Ca++
Cl-
Chloride Determination(mg/l Cl-)
Cl- +AgNO3 AgCl + NO3-

potassium
chromate
TOTAL HARDNESS( Ca2+ & Mg2+ )
Total Hardness
buffer
2(X)H2 +Ca+++ Mg++ Calmagite
(X) Ca + (X) Mg + 4H+
Calcium 2+
(Ca )
Titration for Calcium
Ca+++Mg+++OH- + Calcon + EDTA 
Mg(OH) 2  + EDTA (Ca)
Garrett Gas Train
Module – 6
Drilling Fluids &
SCE
Section – 4
Density
1/12
Schlumberger-ROO FAST TRACK DRILLING TRAINING. Module 6: Drilling Fluids and SCE/ Section 4: Density
DENSITY
2/12
Mud weight
• High enough to prevent influx from reservoir
fluids
• High enough to ensure wellbore stability
• Too high mud weight can cause fracturing of the

formation
• Too high mud weight (too high over balance) will

slow down the penetration rate
3/12
Effective mud weight
Temperature / Pressure Effects on Density
Mud weight of a given fluid will vary with
2.100
Scarabeo 5 6506/11-7
pressure and temperature

2.000
Density (sp.gr.)
20 °C
50 °C 75 °C 125 °C
100 °C 150 °C 175 °C
200 °C
1.900
1.800
EDC 99: 1.93 sp.gr. @ 35°C

1.700
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Virtual Pressure (100 Bar)
Hydraulics ®
4/12
ESD, Equivalent Static Density
ESD: Equivalent Static Density Profile vs TVD
Scarabeo 5 6506/11-7
0
1
True Vertical Depth (1000 m)
EDC 99: 1.93 sp.gr. @ 35 °C, T(0) = 28 °C, T(TD) = 131 °C

5
1.930 1.935 1.940 1.945
Virtual Equiv alent Density (sp.gr.)
Hydraulics
®
5/12
ECD, Equivalent Circulating Density
• Addition to mud weight from friction pressure loss and drill
cuttings
VIRTUAL HYDRAULICS® MD: 4760 m Oper ator : Scarabeo 5
Fan 70 # 1004
SnapShot
©1 9 9 6 -9 8 M -I L . L . C. - Al l Ri g h t s Re s e rv e d
Fan 35 # 1009
TVD:
Bit Size:
Date:
4760 m
8.5 in.
14.05.01
Well Name:
Location:
Countr y:
6506/11-7
Casing Pr ogr am Density (sp.gr .) PV, YP, LSYP Temp (° C) AV (m/min) Hole Clean Ind Pr essur e Loss (%)
Depth
D epth C sg/H D ia (m) 1 .9 0 1 .9 5 2 .0 0 2 .0 5 2 .1 0 0 25 50 75 100 0 50 100 150 0 25 50 75 100 0V G
0 .2 5 G
0 .5 0 F0 .7 5 P
1 .0 0 0 25 50 75 100
8
Dr ill Str ing
376 m 19"
500
Bit
Annulus
1000
PV DRILLING FLUID
EDC 99
1500 ECD Ann
Mud W eight 1.93 sp.gr .
Test Tem p 35 ° C
SYSTEM DATA
2000 Flow R ate 1300 l/m in
R iser P um p 0 l/m in
R OP 5 m /hr
RP M 150 r pm
2500
YP W OB 10 K N ewton
N ozzles 14-14-14-14
N ozzles
ESD DS
3000 PRESSURE LOSS (bar )
Modified P ower Law (@ R 6/R 3)
D r ill S tr ing 90.3
MW D 30.0
3500
B it 33.7
B it On/Off 10.0
LSYP A nnulus 62.1
4000 S ur face E quip 20.0
U -Tube P r ess 0.5
Total S ystem 246.5
4312 m 9-7/8"
8-5/8" ID ESD E CD +C ut
4500
C sg S hoe 1.935 2.056 2.057
TD 1.935 2.071 2.072
4760 m 8.5"
VRDH - Ve rs i o n 2 . 5
F i l e - SC5 HT HP!. M DB
5000
6/12
Measuring mud weight
7/12
Weighting additives
• The weighting additives are added to the mud to give the
required mud weight.
– Barite, Density of 4200 kg/m3

– Hematite, Density of 5100 kg/ m3
– Calcium carbonate, Density of 2700 kg/m3
• In addition, the drilling fluid can made up from brine of

required density if low solids or solid free mud is required.
8/12
Density
CALIBRATE
There are two types of balance KEEP HOLE BY ADDING/
– Pressurised FREE TO REMOVING
EXPEL MUD LEAD SHOT
– Non Pressurised SIGHT GLASS
Non - Pressurised:
– 4 scale balance SCALE BAR
Pressurised Balance:
– The density is measured SLIDING WEIGHT
under pressure so the
effects of gas entrapment
are minimised
9/12
Density - Balancing Formation Pressures
Zones of differing pressures will be drilled between casing points
The mud weight must be :
– Below the frac point of the weakest formation
– Above the highest pore pressure observed
The ECD must be taken into account to avoid fracturing the formation
– Should have at least 0.5 ppg EMW between ECD and
Fracture Pressure (kick tolerance)
depth
The differential pressure should be kept low to improve ROP’s
– A differential pressure equivalent to 0.2-0.5 ppg should be Safe drilling
kept as a safety margin

Unsafe drilling
– A negative differential (mud, air or foam) is sometimes used (Mud weight will
to drill : fracture
formation)
– Hard formations
– Lost circulation zones EQUIVALENT MUD WEIGHT
10/12
Signs of Excessive Density
 Excessive density can

contribute to a number of hole
problems:
 Lost Circulation
 Differential Sticking
 Slow ROP’s
PUMPS OFF PUMPS ON
 Ballooning
11/12
Signs of Insufficient Density
Hole not filling correctly on trips
– Formation fluid being swabbed into
the hole Background gas
– Increased drag experienced on Trip gas seen

connections and trips on bottoms up
after a trip
– Salt or plastic formations squeezing into Connection gas
Time
the well bore Gain in fluid
Connection gas
– Formation fluid entering the well bore.

(Well flowing or kicking) Increase in background gas, could
be due to increased pore space in
cuttings or increased formation
pressure.
Unexplained increase in gas recording Circulate bottoms up to tell the
difference
– Some gas may be released from ground

Gas level % or units
cuttings
12/12
Schlumberger Private
1/44
Rheology
 Rheo = Flow
 Logy = To Study
 Rheology is the science of studying flow
Why Study Rheology?
 We need to predict
 How well the fluid carries Cuttings out of the hole
 How well the fluid cleans detritus away from the bit face
 What the pressure losses are in the system
 How the Fluid system behaves in the flow regimes we
are using in the well.
 In other words we need to understand the hydraulics of

the drilling fluids.
Schlumberger-ROO FAST TRACK DRILLING TRAINING.– Module 3: Drilling Bits & Hydraulics / Section 2a: 3/44
Rheology
 Characterization of Fluids
Rheology
F v + dv
A
-The resistance or drag force is the shear stress
-The difference in the velocities divided

by the distance is called the shear rate
Rheology
Shear stress and shear rate:
 Shear Stress : Unit : Lbf / 100 ft 2
Force causing the shearing
Surface area of the platelet
 Shear rate : Unit : 1 / sec ( reciprocal second)
Difference of velocity between 2 platelets
Distance between 2 platelets
In S.I. Units:
 g   cm 
 454   980 2 
lbf lbf  lbf   sec 
1 2
 2
* 2
100 ft 100 ft  cm 
 30.48 
 ft 
gm * cm
lbf sec 2 Dyne
1 2
 4.79 2
 4.79 2
100 ft cm cm
Viscosity
 Viscosity is the resistance of a fluid to flow and is

defined as the ratio of Shear Stress to Shear
Rate.
 dyne  sec
   Poise
 cm 2
The unit of poise is rather large; therefore, viscosity is expressed

in Centipoise which is 1/100 of 1 Poise.
Newtonian Fluids
Newtonian fluids are those in which the viscosity remains constant for all
shear rates providing temperature and pressure remain constant.
Examples of Newtonian fluids are: water, glycerine and light oil.
The shear stress is directly proportional to the shear rate.

Shear stress  

Shear rate
Non- Newtonian Fluids
•Non-Newtonian fluids don’t show a direct proportionality between
shear stress and shear rate. Most drilling fluids are non-Newtonian.
•The figure below is an example of the curve of a non-Newtonian fluid.
• The viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid is known as the effective
viscosity and to obtain its value a specific shear rate must be specified.
The Bingham Plastic Model
Several mathematical models have been made to simulate the rheology of drilling
fluids. The most widely used in the oilfield is the Bingham plastic model.
This model assumes a linear behavior of the shear stress to shear rate ratio, but the line
does not cross the origin as is the case with Newtonian fluids.
Shear stress
Shear rate
The equation of the Bingham plastic model is given by:
   p   y
The y intercept  y is known as the yield point and is the stress required to get
the fluid in movement.
The slope of the curve is known as the plastic viscosity.
Shear stress
Slope = PV
Intercept = YP
Shear rate
Plastic Viscosity – Drilling muds are usually composed of a liquid
continuous phase in which solids are dispersed. Plastic viscosity is the resistance
to flow related to mechanical friction which is caused by:
•Solids concentration.
•Size and shape of solids.
•Viscosity of the fluid phase.
In the field plastic viscosity is seen as a guide to solids control. It increases as the
volume percentage of solids increase or if the volume percent remains constant
but the particle size decreases.
Therefore, plastic viscosity can be reduced by reducing the solids concentration or

by decreasing the surface area.
Yield Point - The yield point is the initial resistance to flow due to
electrochemical forces between particles. These electrochemical forces are
caused by charges on the surface of the particles dispersed in the fluid phase. The
yield point depends on:
•The surface properties of mud solids.
•The volume concentration of solids.
•The ionic environment of the liquid surrounding the solids.
The yield point can be controlled by proper chemical treatment.

•Positive charges on particles can be neutralized by adsorption of large
negative ions. These can be provided by chemicals like: tannins, lignins,
lignosulfonates, etc.
•In case of contamination of ions like calcium or magnesium , these could be
removed as insoluble precipitants.
•Water dilution could also reduce the yield point, however if the solids
concentration is not too high it will not be effective.
Measuring Rheology
We
determine
rheological
properties of
Infinite
drilling fluids
parallel
in this
plates
device
Rheometer (Rotational Viscometer)
sleeve
BOB   f ( )
fluid
Shear Stress = f (Dial Reading)
Shear Rate = f (Sleeve RPM)
Shear Stress = f (Shear Rate)
(TAU ), the Shear Stress depends on the

value of  (GAMMA), the Shear Rate
Rotational Viscosometer
 The plumb and bob are set up so that when the

RPM seen on the scale, when multiplied by a
constant (1.7) has units of reciprocal seconds
 The dial reading X 1.0678 = (lb/100ft2) or
Multiplied by 5.11 ( 1.0678 X 4.79 ) converts it to
dynes/cm2
dial reading *1.0678 * 4.79 Dynes

HasUnits of 2 1
 Poise
Sleeve RPM 1.7 cm * Sec
Rheometer - base case
RPM sec-1
3 5.11
6 10.22
100 170
200 340
300 511
600 1022
RPM * 1.703 = sec-1

Typical Shear Rates Found in a Well
Location Shear Rate

sec-1
Drill Pipe 100-500
Drill Collars 700-3000
Bit Nozzles 10,000 – 100,000
Annulus 10 - 500
Mud Pits 1-5
Back to Bingham Plastic Model…
Slope = PV, Intercept = YP
SLOPE INTERCEPT
 600   300 5.11
SLOPE  *  300   0 5.11
600  300 1 .7 SLOPE  * *100
This will haveUnits of Poise 300  0 1.7
in Centipoise PV   300   0
 0  Yp
SLOPE 
 600   300 5.11
* *100
Yp   300  PV
600  300 1 .7 lbf
 600   300 Units 
 * 3 *100 100 ft 2
300
Slope  PV   600   300
Units  cp
Limitations of Bingham Plastic Model
Typical drilling fluids have a lower values at low shear rates.
Therefore, the Bingham plastic model is not good at predicting mud
rheology in the annulus for example.
Other Parameters Measured with the Fann VG
Meter
LSRYP – Low shear rate yield point. This is a measure of the
mud’s low shear rate viscosity. It measures the ability of the mud to
transport cuttings in the annulus. The larger the cuttings the higher
the LSRYP value required. It is calculated from:
LSRYP  (  3 * 2)   6
As a rule of thumb the LSRYP should be close to the hole
diameter in inches.
Meter
Gel Strength – Gel strengths of 10 sec and 10 minutes indicate the
attraction forces of the fluid when it is under static conditions.
Excessive values is an indication of high solids concentration. The
graph below illustrates types of gel strengths.
Meter
300  N
Effective viscosity = e 
N
Used to find the actual viscosity at a given RPM
300  600  600
Apparent viscosity = a  
600 2
This is an indicator of either or both the YP and PV increasing.
Example
 Given VG meter readings of

64 @ 600 RPM
40 @ 300 RPM
Calculate the PV, YP and Apparent Viscosity at 600 and the
effective viscosity at 300
PV = 600-300 = 64-40 = 24
YP = 300-PV = 40–24 =16
App Visc @ 600 = 300 *600 reading/rpm= 300*64/600= 32
Eff. visc@300 = 300*300Reading/300 = 40
Other Rheology Models
Power Law Model – This model is used to simulate the behavior of
polymer based drilling fluids that do not have yield stress. ( for
example viscosified clear brines )
The general equation for this model  is:K n
K is the consistency index, n is the flow behavior index. 0 < n < 1.0
Both K and n are particular to each fluid.
Shear
stress
Power Law Model
Newtonia
n
Shear rate
  K n
 600
n can be obtained from: n  3.32 log
 300
and its units are dimensionless.
511* 300
K can be obtained from: K
511n
and its units are in centipoise.
Modified Power Law Model – ( Herschel-Bulkley Model )
This model was developed to model the behavior of most drilling

fluids. It takes into account the yield stress to initiate flow, which
most fluids have. n
   y  K
Shear
stress
Modified Power Law Model
Newtonian
Shear rate
   y  K n
The values for K and n are obtained the same way as in the
power law model for pipe flow; however they vary slightly
for annular flow. This will be shown later.
Exercise for Newtonian Fluid
( Exercise 4.16 of Applied Drilling Engineering Textbook )
 Area of upper plate = 20 cm2
 Distance between plates = 1 cm
 Force required to move upper plate at 10 cm/s = 100

dynes.
 What is fluid viscosity?
SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 4.16
2
shear stress F / A 100 / 20 dynes/cm

  -1
shear rate V / L 10/1 sec
5 dyne  s
  0.5 2
 0.5 poise
10 cm
  50 cp
Exercise for Bingham Plastic Fluid
( Exercise 4.17 of ADE Textbook )
Bingham Plastic Fluid

 1. Min. force to cause plate to move = 200 dynes

 2. Force req’d to move plate at 10 cm/s = 400 dynes
 Calculate yield point and plastic viscosity
 Yield point,
Fy
200 dynes dynes
y   2
 10
A 20 cm cm2
lbf dynes
but 1 2
 4.79
100 ft cm2
10
 y   2.09 lbf/100 ft 2
4.79
 Plastic viscosity,  p is given by

   y   p
400 dynes 200 dynes  10 cm/s 
  p 
 1 cm 
2 2
20 cm 20 cm
20  10 dyne  s
p  1 2
 1 poise
10 cm
i.e. p  100 cp
Exercise for Power Law Fluid
( Exercise 4.18 of ADE Textbook )

 Force on upper plate = 50 dyne if v = 4 cm/s
 Force on upper plate = 100 dyne if v = 10 cm/s
 Calculate consistency index (K) and

 flow behavior index (n)
Solution for Example 4.18
 v = 4 cm/s
 Area of upper plate
 n = 20 cm2
4  K  4  Distance between plates
= 1 cm
 Force on upper plate
 = 50 dyne if v = 4 cm/s
n
50 4
K  
20  1
2 .5  K 4  n
i
Solution for Example 4.18
 v = 10 cm/s  Area of upper plate

= 20 cm2
  Distance between plates
10  K  10
n
= 1 cm
 Force on upper plate
 = 100 dyne
n  if v = 10 cm/s
100  10 
 K 
20  1 
5  K 10  ii
n
Solution Example 4.18
2.5  K 4 i
n
5  K 10  ii
n
 Solving for K and substituting in ii we find
n to be:
2.5
From....i : K  n
4
log 2  n log 2.5
n  0.7565
Solution Example 4.18
5  K 10  ii
n
 From Eq. (ii):
5 5
 K  n  0.7565  0.8760 eq. poise
10 10
K  87.6 eq. cp.
Flow Types
Rheology - Plug flow
Velocity Profile ( Plug Flow motion
Velocity is equal at the center and wall
Flow Types
Rheology - Laminar flow
Velocity Profile ( Sliding motion )
Velocity is maximum at the center
Flow Types
Rheology - Turbulent flow
Velocity Profile ( Swirling motion, but a
flat profile)
Average particle velocity is uniform
(not near the wall)
Turbulent or Laminar Flow ?
Rheology - Critical Velocity
Shear stress
Turbulent Flow
Laminar Flow Transition point
Critical velocity
Shear rate
Turbulent or Laminar Flow ?
Rheology - Reynolds number

 Reynolds number takes into consideration the basic factors of pipe
flow :
 Pipe, diameter, average velocity, fluid density and fluid viscosity
 Re= Velocity* pipe/annulus diameter* density / effective fluid
viscosity
 Laminar < 2100- Transition - 3000 < Turbulent
The particular flow regime of a drilling fluid during

drilling operations can have a dramatic effect on parameters
such as pressure losses, hole cleaning and hole stability
Module – 6
Drilling Fluids &
SCE
Section – 5
Drilling Fluid
Composition
Schlumberger-ROO FAST TRACK DRILLING TRAINING. Module 6: Drilling Fluids and SCE/ Section 5: Drilling Fluid 1/22
Composition
DRILLING FLUID
COMPOSITION
Composition
Phases of a Drilling Fluid
• Water (continuous) phase
• Reactive commercial clay solids
• Reactive formation (drilled) solids
• Inert formation (drilled) solids
• Inert commercial solids
• Soluble chemicals
Composition
Water phase
Definition:
– The continuous (liquid) phase of the drilling fluid
• Can be
– fresh water
– brackish water
– sea water
– saturated salt water, or another type of brine fluid
• Can be hard water - containing a high

concentration of calcium or magnesium
Composition
Fresh water
• Usually available only on land locations
• Advantages:
– Commercial clays hydrate more
– Most chemicals are more soluble
• Disadvantages:
– Formation clays hydrate more, which can result
in hole problems and damage to the producing
zone
Composition
Brackish water
• Usually in a marine environment
• Slightly salty
• Higher calcium and magnesium than fresh water
Composition
Sea water
• Chlorides and hardness varies
– Chlorides in Gulf of Mexico 15,000 - 30,000
mg/l
– Calcium in Gulf of Mexico 400 ± mg/l
– Magnesium in Gulf of Mexico 1200± mg/l
– Hardness in North Sea much higher
Composition
Saturated salt water
• Used primarily to drill through large salt
formations
• Salt must be added to achieve saturation
• Prevents hole enlargement due to leaching or
dissolving salt from the formation
• Leaching could result in hole problems and
expensive mud and cement costs
Composition
Brine water
• Usually used for clay (shale) inhibition
– Potassium chloride (KCl)
– Calcium Chloride CaCl2
– Formates (Na+,K+)
– Bromides
Composition
Reactive solids
• S.G. = 2.6, Density = 21.67 ppg
• Commercial clays
– Sodium Montmorillonite or Bentonite
• M-I GEL
– Attapulgite
• SALT GEL
Composition
Reactive solids
• Formation clays (drilled solids)
– S.G. = 2.6, Density = 21.67 ppg
– Montmorillonite (swelling clay)
– Illite (non-swelling clay)
– Kaolinite (non-swelling clay)
– Chlorite (non-swelling clay)
– Gumbo Shale (combination of above clays)
Composition
Inert solids
Commercial
• Barite (barium sulfate)
– S.G. = 4.2, Density = 35 ppg
– M-I BAR: Used to increase mud density up to
maximum of 22 ppg±
• Hematite (iron oxide)
– S.G. = 5.0, Density = 41.67 ppg
– Fer-Ox: Used to increase mud density up to
maximum of 25 ppg ±
Composition
Inert solids
• Calcium Carbonate
– S.G. = 2.8, Density = 23.34 ppg
– Acid soluble
– Lo-Wate
• Used to increase fluid density up to
maximum of 14.0 ppg ±
- Safe - Carb
• Used as bridging agent in Drill-in, oil and
synthetic fluids
Composition
Inert solids
Lost Circulation Material
– Material used to bridge off (seal) formations
where whole mud is being lost to the formation
– Nut shells (mostly pecan & walnut)
– Mica
– Fiber (wood, paper, plastic, etc.)
Composition
Inert solids
• Formation solids
– S.G. = 2.6 ±, Density = 21.67 ppg ±
– Sand
– Limestone (Calcium Carbonate)
– Dolomite (Calcium Magnesium Carbonate)
Composition
Soluble chemicals
• Caustic Soda (NaOH) pH 13.3
• Caustic Potash (KOH) pH 13.3
• Lime [Ca(OH)2] pH 12.4
• Soda Ash (Na2CO3) pH 11 - 11.5
• Sodium Bicarb (NaHCO3) pH 8.4
• Zinc Oxide (ZnO)
Composition
Soluble chemicals
• Lignosulfonate (organic acid)
• Spersene (chrome lignosulfonate)
• Spersene CF (chrome-free lignosulfonate)
• Chemical de-flocculant (mud thinner) adds
anionic (negative) charges to the mud.
Composition
Soluble chemicals
• Lignite (organic acid)
• Tannathin (lignite)
• XP-20 (chrome lignite)
• Chemical de-flocculant (mud thinner) adds
anionic (negative) charges to the mud.
• Neutralizes positive sites on the clays causing
them to repel each other.
Composition
Water Based Muds
Composition
Water Base Fluids
Water Base Fluid
– Spud mud (Gel mud)
– Gel/Polymer Fluid
Increasingly
– Lignosulfonate mud Inhibitive
– Calcium Base Fluids
– Salt-Saturated Muds
– KCl Polymer Fluids
– Glycol mud
– Silicate Mud
– Ultradril
Composition
Water Based Muds
• In the early days of the drilling business, freshwater and produced water
were used as drilling fluids.
• Low annular velocities hindered cuttings from being properly removed
from wells - causing drilling problems
• In places where hydratable clays were present (termed “mud making”
shales) these tended to viscosify the water which improved hole cleaning.
• Commercially produced clays - Wyoming Bentonite were added to

drilling muds to improve viscosity and fluid loss
• Present technology has pushed the performance envelope of drilling fluids
by utilizing water soluble polymers and specialty additives to assist the
drilling process
Composition
Water Based Muds
Many types of water-based Spud
Mud
mud systems
Mud System becoming increasingly complex

Dispersed
Basic systems are usually Systems
Increasing Temperature and Pressure

converted to more complex
systems as a well is Inhibitive
deepened, as wellbore Polymer Muds
temperatures and/or
pressures increase and High
Temperature
formations dictate Polymer Muds
More than one fluid system is Non-Damaging

typically used when drilling Drill in Fluids
the same well
Composition
Module – 6
Drilling Fluids &
SCE
Section – 1
Function of Drilling
Fluids
1/42
Schlumberger-ROO FAST TRACK DRILLING TRAINING. Module 6: Drilling Fluids and SCE/ Section 1: Function of Drilling
Fluids
Functions of the
Drilling Fluids
2/42
Fluids
Functions of a Drilling Fluid
• Hole Cleaning
• Pressure Control
• Suspend Solids
• Minimize Formation Damage
• Isolate Fluids from Formation
• Cooling and Lubrication
3/42
Fluids
Functions of a Drilling Fluid
• Power Downhole Tools
• Environment
• Maximum Hole Information
• Corrosion
• Support Part of DS
• Cost
4/42
Fluids
Introduction to Drilling Fluids
• Hole Cleaning
• Suspend Solids
• Isolate Fluid From Formation
5/42
Fluids
Remove Cuttings From the Well Bore
The most important parameter is the
Annular Velocity (A.V.)
Where possible the annular velocity
should be 100 ft/min, higher in
deviated holes.
A.V.(ft/min)
In large hole sections the A.V. can be as
low as 20 ft/min. = Pump rate (bbls/min)
Annular vol (bbls/ft)
If the A.V. is insufficient to clean the hole

the viscosity must be increased
Slip Velocity (ft/min)
Cuttings removal is harder in deviated and =Cuttings velocity - A.V.
horizontal holes as the vertical component
of the mud is reduced.
6/42
Fluids
Remove Cuttings From the Well Bore
Cutting removal is a
function of :
– Cuttings size, shape and
density A.V.(m/min)
– ROP, drillstring rotation = Pump rate (m3/min)

Annular vol (m3/m)
– Viscosity and density of the
drilling fluid
– For top hole high viscosities Slip Velocity (m/min)
and sometimes high weight =Cuttings velocity - A.V.
must be used.
7/42
Fluids
• Hole Cleaning
• Suspend Solids
• Isolate Fluid from Formation
8/42
Fluids
Balancing Sub-Surface Pressures
The pore pressure depends on:
 The density of the overlying rock
 The pressure of the interstitial fluid
 Whether the rock is self supporting or is supported
by the fluid.
 Surface terrain
 Tectonic activity
If the fluid hydrostatic pressure does not balance the pore pressure
the following may occur:
 Influxes of formation fluid into the wellbore
 Lost circulation
 Hole Instability
 Stuck pipe
9/42
Fluids
Balancing Sub-Surface Pressures
The pressure balancing the formation pressure is
composed from the hydrostatic pressure under Hydrostatic Pressure (psi)
static conditions: = Height (ft) x Density(ppg) x 0.052
P = TVD (ft) x Density (ppg) x 0.052
P = TVD (m) x Density (sg) x 0.0981
Under circulating conditions the effective pressure
is increased by the pumping pressure. This forms
the Equivalent Circulating density (ECD):
ECD = Density (ppg) + Ann Press Loss g
TVD x 0.052
ECD = Density (sg) + Ann Press Loss
TVD x 0.0981
Pore
Pressure
(Not normally
known)
10/42
Fluids
• Hole Cleaning
• Suspend and Release Solids
11/42
Fluids
Suspension of Solids
• Drill solids from the well, cuttings, must be
removed as quick as possible at surface
• Several properties and parameters influence

cuttings removal rates :
Viscosity
 Gel strength
 velocity
12/42
Fluids
Suspension of Solids cont´d
• A gel structure is required to suspend the
cuttings under zero shear conditions:
 The gel structure is caused by time dependant attractive
forces which develop in the fluid.
 The longer the fluid is static the stronger these forces
become
 The gel structure should be easily broken
 The gel properties are especially important for deviated
and horizontal wells as the distance solids have to settle is
very small
13/42
Fluids
Release Solids at Surface
• Whenever the pumps are switched off solids will
start to settle. This can result in:
 Bridging off of the wellbore
 Stuck pipe
 Hole fill
 Loss of Hydrostatic
• Solids equipment at surface :
 Number of shakers
 Screen size and type
 Desilters and desanders
 Centrifuges
14/42
Fluids
• Hole Cleaning
• Suspend and Release Solids
15/42
Fluids
Minimize Formation Damage
• Damage to the formation while drilling to the
reservoir:
Formation swelling (Normally clay and Salt
formations)
Washouts (Clay and Salt formations or any
unconsolidated formation). This can result in:
Difficult directional control
Poor zonal isolation
Excess mud and cement costs
Poor Hole Cleaning
Stuck Pipe
Difficult fishing jobs
16/42
Fluids
Minimize Formation Damage
• Damage to the reservoir will result in loss of
production or the need for remedial
treatment.
This can result from:

Solids blocking reservoir pores
Emulsion droplets blocking reservoir pores
Swelling clays
Ions from the formation and drilling fluid forming
insoluble salts
17/42
Fluids
Damage by Drilling Muds
Mud damage can occur by:
 Physical reduction of pore / pore throat size
 Relative permeability reduction
18/42
Fluids
Damage by Pore / Pore Throat Size Reduction
 Mud solids invasion
 Formation fines migration
 Clay swelling
 Adsorption / precipitation of mud polymers
 Reaction and precipitation (scale)
 Wax formation (paraffin, asphaltene)
 Sludge formation (e.g. by reaction of crude & mud
acid)
 Stress-induced permeability change
 Perforation plugging
Bold type denotes mud-induced damage
mechanisms
19/42
Fluids
Formation Fines Migration
Conglomeration of loose material

around pore throat
Kaolinite stack almost completely

disaggregated
20/42
Fluids
Damage Due to Relative Permeability Reduction
Wettability change
Emulsion formation
Fluid saturation change/fluid blocking
 Water coning
 Gas breakout
 Condensate banking
Bold type denotes mud induced damage mechanisms
21/42
Fluids
Depth of Invasion
• Mud composition & reservoir characteristics
influence the degree of damage
• Depth of damage is influenced by
Mud formulation
Time in open hole
Mud overbalance
Depth of damage is often less than the total depth of
invasion due to depletion of damaging species
22/42
Fluids
• Hole Cleaning
• Suspension of Solids
23/42
Fluids
Isolate the Fluid From the Formation
• The differential pressure forces fluid into the

wellbore, resulting in whole mud or filtrate
entering the formation. Either, or both, of these
is undesirable because:
The loss of whole mud into the wellbore is
expensive and damaging
The loss of filtrate into the wellbore may cause
formation damage
24/42
Fluids
Isolate the Fluid From the Formation
• The flow of fluid is affected by the formation of a filter
cake. The filter cake reduces the flow of fluid into the
formation.
Special additives are added to improve the cake quality:
Bridging material
Plate like material
Plugging material
The filter cake should be thin with a low
permeability
 This avoids reducing the effective hole diameter
 It also reduces the chance of differential sticking
25/42
Fluids
• Hole Cleaning
• Suspension of Solids
26/42
Fluids
Cooling and Lubrication
• The drilling fluid removes heat from the bit which is then dispersed
at the surface
 Fluid formulations are not changed to improve this function
 Very occasionally the temperature of the fluid exceeds the flash
point. In this case it is necessary to improve surface cooling
• Extra lubrication may be required between the drill string and the
casing or wellbore, especially in directional wells
 Liquid additives are used, or Oil based mud
 Solid additives are sometimes used such as glass beads, plastic
beads, graphite or nut plug
 Drill pipe rubbers are sometimes added to reduce wear between the
casing and drill pipe
27/42
Fluids
Other Considerations / Functions
• Power Down hole Tools / Transfer

information
• Environment
• Corrosion
• Support Part of the DS
• Cost
28/42
Fluids
Power Downhole Tools / Transfer information
• Power Downhole motors
 Turbines to turn the bit or power MWD / LWD equipment
Transfer information from measurement

equipment to the surface
 This is done with a pressure pulse
29/42
Fluids
Other Considerations
• Environment
• Corrosion
• Cost
30/42
Fluids
Environmental Impact - Offshore
Man
Sheen Discharge
Mussel
(Mytilus sp.) Bioaccumulation
Zooplankton
Algae
(Acartia sp.) Taint
(Skeletonema sp.)
Fish
Shrimp (Scophthalamus sp.)
(Mysidopsis sp.)
Sediment Reworker
Biodegradation (Corophium sp.)
31/42
Fluids
Environmental Impact - Land
Discharge
- Chlorides
- Heavy metals
- pH Liquid Drilled Cuttings
- TDS Waste
- BOD, COD
- Clarity
Disposal
- Toxicity
- Chlorides
Treat - Heavy metals
- Oil content
- Solids content
Recycle
- Solids content
32/42
Fluids
• Environment
• Corrosion
• Cost
33/42
Fluids
Secure Maximum Hole Information
• The operator will always require the following information:
Rock type being drilled
 The cuttings should not dissolve or disintegrate
• Analyses of gases
 The gases should separate easily from the mud
• The fluid should have a defined resistivity
 Formation resistivity measurements need to be made
34/42
Fluids
• Environment
• Corrosion
• Cost
35/42
Fluids
Control Corrosion
• The fluid should be non corrosive to the:

 Drill string
 Casing
 Surface equipment Corrosion leads to loss of
Corrosion can lead to:

 Wash outs
 Twist offs
&
 Pump failure
 Surface Leaks
36/42
Fluids
• Environment
• Corrosion
• Cost
37/42
Fluids
Support Part of the Tubular Weight
• Aids in supporting part of the weight of the drill
string and casing
• The degree of buoyancy is directly proportional to

the density of the fluid.
– The fluid density is never changed to

increase the buoyancy
38/42
Fluids
• Environment
• Corrosion
• Cost
39/42
Fluids
Maximize Penetration Rates
• The fluid properties greatly influence penetration
rates by:
 Removing cuttings from below the bit and wellbore
 Reducing the cushioning effect of solids between the bit
teeth and the formation
 Reducing the hydrostatic differential
 Increasing the jet velocity
Bits
Rig days, Rig days

Bits,
Ft/Bit.
Ft/Bit
5 10
Solids Content (%volume)
40/42
Fluids
Well Cost
Well Daily Footage Once off and

= + +
Cost Cost Cost Other Costs
($) (days x $/day) (ft x $/ft) ($)
DFS Fluids Drilling Completion

Cost = + +
Engineering Fluid Fluid
($) (days x $/day) (ft x $/ft) ($)
 DFS direct cost is relatively small (5 to 10% of well cost)

 Greatest savings achieved by improving Drilling Efficiency
41/42
Fluids
Key Drilling Fluid Issues
Maintain
borehole stability
Minimise
loss of fluid Suspend barite
to the formation under static and
dynamic conditions
Control
formation Remove
pressure drilling cuttings
from the hole
Lubricate Provide hydraulic

the drill string horse power
to the bit
42/42
Fluids
LOST CIRCULATION
Schlumberger-ROO FAST TRACK DRILLING TRAINING. Module 6: Drilling Fluids and SCE/ Section 7: 1/40
Lost Circulation
 WHAT IS LOST CIRCULATION TO A MUD
ENGINEER?
– HOURS SPENT WALKING THE PITS DEPENDS
ON HOW SEVERE THE LOST CIRCULATION
Lost Circulation
 WHAT IS LOST CIRCULATION?
– LOSS OF a QUANTITY or WHOLE MUD TO THE
FORMATION
– MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR
• HIGHER MUD COSTS
• HIGHER OVERALL WELL COSTS
– MAIN CONCEREN- NOT DRILLING
Lost Circulation
 PROBLEMS THAT CAN OCCUR WITH LOST
CIRCULATION
– STUCK PIPE
– BLOWOUTS
– PRODUCTION ZONE DAMAGE
– LOSS OF FORMATION INFORMATION
– HIGHER MUD COSTS
– LOSS OF DRILLING TIME
Lost Circulation
 LOST CIRCULATION IS CAUSED BY
– INVASION
– FRACTURING
Lost Circulation
INVASION
NATURAL CAUSES
 UNCONSOLIDATED FORMATIONS
– HIGH PERMEABILITY
 Fractured Formations
– RAPID LOSS OF MUD
– FORMATIONS KNOWN FROM PREVIOUS
DRILLING RECORDS
 DEPLETED Formations
Lost Circulation
FRACTURING
 HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
– IMPOSED PRESSURE
– DIFFICULT TO STOP
• MAY NOT STOP
• REDUCE PRESSURE NO HELP
– NEED TO STOP QUICKLY
Lost Circulation
FRACTURING
 SETTING CASING IN THE WRONG PLACE

– SET ABOVE TRANSITION ZONE FROM NORMAL
TO ABNORMAL PRESSURE
– WEAK CASING SEAT
Lost Circulation
FRACTURING
 EXCESSIVE DOWNHOLE PRESSURES

– MECHANICAL FORCES
• IMPROPER HYDRAULLICS
– EXCESSSIVE PUMP RATES & VELOCITIES
CAUSING HIGH ECD
• BAD DRILLING PRACTICES
– INCREASE PUMP RATE TO FAST
– RIH TOO FAST
» SURGE
– SPUDDING BRIDGES
Lost Circulation
FRACTURING

– MECHANICAL FORCES
• BAD DRILING PRACTICES
– EXCESSIVE ROP FOR GIVEN FLOW RATE
» LOAD ANNULUS CUTTINGS
» HIGH ECD
– PIPE WHIPPING
Lost Circulation
FRACTURING

– HOLE CONDITIONS
• CUTTINGS BEDS FORMED
• SLOUGHING SHALE OR SOLIDS LOADING
IN ANNULUS= HIGH ECD
• KICKS
– MUD PROPERTIES
• THICK WALL CAKE BUILD UP
• EXCESSIVE MUD WT
• Increasing MUD WT Too FAST
• BARITE SAG
Lost Circulation
WAYS TO PREVENT
LOST CIRCULATION
 SET CASING IN THE RIGHT PLACE

– SET IN TRANSITION ZONE
– HAVE GOOD CASING SEAT
Lost Circulation
WAYS TO PREVENT
LOST CIRCULATION
 MINIMIZE DOWNHOLE PRESSURES

– REDUCE SURGE Pressure WHEN RIH
– UTILIZE PROPER HYDRAULICS
• LAMINAR FLOW
• DRILL THROUGH BRIDGES
• START PUMPS SLOWLY
• BREAK CIRCULATION
Lost Circulation
WAYS TO PREVENT
LOST CIRCULATION
 MINIMIZE DOWNHOLE PRESSURES

– CONTROL DRILL
• REDUCES LOADING ANNULUS
• CIRCULATE PRIOR TO CONNECTIONS
– WASH AND REAM THROUGH BRIDGES
– AVOID Exceeding Formation Fracture Pressure
while controlling KICK IF POSSIBLE
• PRESSURE AT SURFACE TRANSMITTTED
DOWN CAN BREAK DOWN FORMATION
Lost Circulation
WAYS TO PREVENT
LOST CIRCULATION
 CONTROL MUD PROPERTIES IN PROPER

RANGES
– DRILL SOLIDS
– BIT BALLING
– CONTROL FLUID LOSS
– DRILL WITH MINIMUM Safe MUD WT
– INCREASE MUD WT SLOWLY
Lost Circulation
WAYS TO PREVENT
LOST CIRCULATION
 CONTROL MUD PROPERTIES IN PROPER
RANGES
– CONTROL Y.P. AND GELS
• MINIMIZE ECD, SWAB AND SURGE
• STILL CLEAN HOLE
– CLEAN HOLE
• HIGH VIS SWEEPS or LO VIS/ HI VIS sweeps
to clean horizontal hole section
 GOOD SELECTION LCM ON LOCATION
Lost Circulation
LOST CIRCULATION
 CLASSIFICATION
– SEEPAGE LOSSES 1-10 BBL/HR
– PARTIAL LOSSES 10-50 BBL/HR
– COMPLETE LOSS No Returns
A. LEVEL of mud at 200-500 FT from surfarce.
B. SEVERE COMPLETE LOSS LEVEL of mud 500-
1000 FT from surface.
Lost Circulation
TYPES OF LOST CIRCULATION
MATERIAL (F,M,C)
 FIBROUS
– MIX II CEDAR FIBER PAPER MAGMA
FIBER
 GRANNULAR
– NUT PLUG G-SEAL CaCO3
 FLAKES
– MICA PHENO SEAL
 BLENDS
– KWIK SEAL M-I SEAL
Lost Circulation
TYPES OF LCM USED
 SEEPAGE
– F-M GRANNULAR AND FIBER
 PARTIAL LOSSES
– F-C GRANNULAR, FIBER, FLAKE
 COMPLETE LOSS
– M-C FIBER
– C GRANNULAR
– C FLAKE
– GUNK, Cross Linking Polymers, CEMENT
Lost Circulation
 RESULTS USING LCM TOO LARGE FOR
FRACTURE
– BUILDS UP ON WALL OF WELLBORE AND
ERODES AWAY
 RESULTS USING LCM TOO SMALL FOR

FRACTURE
– GOES THROUGH OPENING, NOT FORM BRIDGE
Lost Circulation
WAYS TO REGAIN CIRCULATION

WITHOUT ADDING LCM
– PULL out the pipe to the casing Shoe AND WAIT

– DECREASE MUD WT (to safest value to control
well)
– DECREASE PUMP Rate.
– CHANGE FLOW PROPERTIES (YP, GELS, PV)
to reduce APL ~ ECD.
Lost Circulation
 Start pumps slowly, follow tripping surge
& swab schedules, utilize proper
Hydraulics.
 Avoid over loading annulus with cuttings.
Lost Circulation
LOST CIRCULATION
 ANALYZE PROBLEM
– CONDITIONS AT TIME OF LOSS
• DRILLING
• CIRCULATING
• TRIPPING
– TYPE OF LOSSES
• PARTIAL
• SEEPAGE
• COMPLETE
Lost Circulation
LOST CIRCULATION
 ANALYZE PROBLEM
– INFORMATION HELP
• WHY LOSS OCCCURED
• WHERE IN HOLE
• POSSIBLE REMEDY
– FORMATION INFORMATION
• Lime Stone CARBONATE
– CAVERNOUS & VUGS
– HEAVY LOSSES
Lost Circulation
LOST CIRCULATION
 FORMATION INFORMATION
– SHALE (OLD DRY SHALE)
• FRACTURE= SEEPAGE
• CONTROLLED QUICKLY
• ENLARGE FRACTURE
– CHANGE IN DRILLING RATE
• SLOW TO FAST
• FORMATION CHANGE
Lost Circulation
LOST CIRCULATION
 OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
– TOO MUCH MUD WT
– MOVEMENT OF DRILLSTRING
• SURGE/SWAB
– EXPOSED LOSS ZONES
– BACK-OFF PUMP PRESSURE
Lost Circulation
LOST CIRCULATION
 CAUSES NOT TO REGAIN CIRCULATION

– LOCATION OF LOSS ZONE NOT KNOWN
• ON BOTTOM
• LAST CASING SEAT
• LAST LOST CIRCULATION ZONE
– LCM NOT MATCHED TO LOSSES
• MIXTURE OF SIZES
– RECORDS FROM PREVIOUS WELLS NOT
KEPT
Lost Circulation
LOST CIRCULATION
 CAUSES NOT TO REGAIN CIRCULATION

– RELUCTANT TO USE TECHNIQUE REQUIRED
(Company Man)
– Other Techniques;
• DRILLING BLIND
• SET Casing
– FORMATION TOO WEAK TO SUPPORT MUD
WT
• SET Casing
Lost Circulation
PULL UP AND WAIT
 PARTIAL LOSS OF RETURNS

 PULL SEVERAL STDS TO FREE SPOT
 HOLE STATIC 4-8 HOURS
 EASE BACK TO BOTTOM
– MINIMIZE PRESSURE ON FORMATION
 SPECULATE NO RETURNS
– MIX 100 BBL PILL IN MUD WITH LCM
– MIX 100 BBL HIGH FLUID LOSS SLURRY
Lost Circulation
HIGH FLUID LOSS
SLURRY SQUEEZE
 DONE THROUGH HIGH FILTRATION

 WATER LOST FROM SLURRY
 FIRM CAKE FORMS IN FRACTURE
 LCM MATERIALS AND SOLIDS
– FIRM PLUG IN OPENING
 SQUEEZE INTO FORMATION
Lost Circulation
LOST CIRCULATION
MATERIAL IN MUD
 MIX UP LCM PILLS (100-500 BBLS)

 PPB LCM, DO NOT PLUG BIT
 CLEAR PIPE OF PILL
 OPEN ENDED MIX 20-25 PPB
 MIX PILL ADD LIME TO FLOCCULATE
(INCREASE FLUID VISCOSITY)
 LOWER FLUID LOSS TO PREVENT SLOUGHING
SHALE
Lost Circulation
SEEPAGE
 100 BBL SLURRY

 5-20 PPB BENTONITE 1/2 PPB LIME
 LCM DIFFERENT SIZES 10-20 PPB
 SPOT OPPOSITE LOSS ZONE IF POSSIBLE OPEN
ENDED
 CLOSE RAMS SQUEEZE AT 1 BBL/MIN
 HOLD PRESSURE 4-8 HRS
Lost Circulation
PARTIAL LOSSES
 100 BBL SLURRY BENTONITE AND LIME

 LCM 10-20 PPB DIFFERENT SIZES
 DRIL PIPE OPEN ENDED
 DISPLACE 25 BBLS AT 2-4 BBLS/MIN
 SHUT DOWN 20-30 MINUTES
 CONTINUE DISPLACING AND WAITING
 WORK PIPE TO PREVENT STICKING
 HOLE FILLS CLOSE RAMS SQUEEZE
 HOLD PRESSURE 30-60 MIN
Lost Circulation
COMPLETE LOSSES
 PUMP SEVERAL PILLS IF NO RETURNS

 GUNK SQUEEZES
 Cross Linking Polymers
 PUMP CEMENT PLUGS.
Lost Circulation
HARD PLUGS
 OFTEN EFFECTIVE SEVERE AND COMPLETE

LOSSES
 CEMENT
 BENTONITE /CEMENT
– BENTONITE AND CEMENT
– BENTONITE 10 PPB/ SX CEMENT
 GILSONITE/CEMENT
– BRIDGING AGENT
– 25-100 LBS GILSONITE/ SX CEMENT
Lost Circulation
DIESEL-BENTONITE
CEMENT SLURRY
 MIX 100SX CEMENT AND 100 SX GEL IN 50 BBLS

DIESEL
 Pump 50 bbls of Diesel as spacer ahead and
behind the pill.
 PUMP DOWN DRILL PIPE till it gets out of the
string.
 MOVE PIPE TO SEE IF it is free of SLURRY
 CLOSE RAMS and squeeze the slurry.
Lost Circulation
DIESEL-BENTONITE
CEMENT SLURRY
 POOH to CSG SHOE.

 WAIT 8 HRS ON CEMENT BEFORE DRILLING
OUT
 If it didn’t WORK; REPEAT
Lost Circulation
DIESEL/BENTONITE
CEMENT SLURRY
 PRECAUTIONS
– AVOID CONTAMINATING SLURRY WITH
MUD OR WATER IN SUCTION LINES AND
PUMPS
Lost Circulation
SOFT PLUGS (Gunk
Squeeze)
 MIX 4 SX GEL TO ONE BBL OF DIESEL PUMP 5

bbls diesel ahead and 5 bbls diesel behind as
spacer. Displace with mud out of the string.
 Pull above the pill
 CLOSE RAMS; SQUEEZE plug into the formation.
 POOH TO CSG SHOE & WAIT 4 HRS.
Lost Circulation
SOFT PLUG
COMPONENTS
 BENTONITE IN OIL (GUNK SQUEEZE)
- For WATER OR WATER BASE MUD
 VG-69 IN WATER (REVERSE GUNK SQUEEZE)

– For OIL OR OIL BASE MUD
Lost Circulation

Drillin Mud

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Drillin Mud

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Schlumberger-ROO FAST TRACK DRILLING TRAINING

WATER BASE MUD

s.g. - Specific gravity.

lbs / ft3 - Pounds per Cubic Foot.

psi / 1000 ft - Pounds per Square Inch

The Ratio of Shear Stress to Shear Rate.

Funnel Viscosity - Seconds per Quart

Calibrate The Funnel with water.

For higher temperatures a

Increasing CEC indicates increasing content of reactive clay

If YP and GEL increase without any increase in CEC =>

2OH- + CO3= + HCO3- +2H+

OH- + 2 HCO3- + H2O

HCO3- + 2H+ H2CO3 +H2O

H2O + 2HCO3- + 2OH- + Ca++

Cl- +AgNO3 AgCl + NO3-

(X) Ca + (X) Mg + 4H+

Ca+++Mg+++OH- + Calcon + EDTA 

Mg(OH) 2  + EDTA (Ca)

• High enough to ensure wellbore stability

• Too high mud weight can cause fracturing of the

• Too high mud weight (too high over balance) will

pressure and temperature

EDC 99: 1.93 sp.gr. @ 35°C

EDC 99: 1.93 sp.gr. @ 35 °C, T(0) = 28 °C, T(TD) = 131 °C

– Barite, Density of 4200 kg/m3

• In addition, the drilling fluid can made up from brine of

kept as a safety margin

 Excessive density can

– Increased drag experienced on Trip gas seen

– Salt or plastic formations squeezing into Connection gas

– Formation fluid entering the well bore.

– Some gas may be released from ground

 In other words we need to understand the hydraulics of

-The resistance or drag force is the shear stress

-The difference in the velocities divided

Distance between 2 platelets

 Viscosity is the resistance of a fluid to flow and is

The unit of poise is rather large; therefore, viscosity is expressed

Therefore, plastic viscosity can be reduced by reducing the solids concentration or

The yield point can be controlled by proper chemical treatment.

(TAU ), the Shear Stress depends on the

 The plumb and bob are set up so that when the

dial reading *1.0678 * 4.79 Dynes

RPM * 1.703 = sec-1

Location Shear Rate

 Given VG meter readings of

This model was developed to model the behavior of most drilling

 Area of upper plate = 20 cm2

 Force required to move upper plate at 10 cm/s = 100

 What is fluid viscosity?

Bingham Plastic Fluid

 1. Min. force to cause plate to move = 200 dynes

 Calculate yield point and plastic viscosity

 Plastic viscosity,  p is given by

 Area of upper plate = 20 cm2

 Calculate consistency index (K) and

 v = 10 cm/s  Area of upper plate

log 2  n log 2.5

 From Eq. (ii):

K  87.6 eq. cp.

Rheology - Laminar flow

Rheology - Turbulent flow

Rheology - Critical Velocity

dial reading 1.0678 4.79 Dynes