The Value of Better Mechanical Removal

Why do we remove solids from the mud?

1
Impact of Drill Solids

Poor
Reduced
Cement
ROP
Jobs

Excess
Drag & Lost
Torque Circulation

Increased Excess
Viscosity abrasion

Lost
Stuck Pipe
Production

2
We remove solids from the mud?


Mud cost reduction

Improved drilling performance (Faster ROP)

Improve equipment life

Reduced disposal costs
 Positive environmental impact; more wells drilled
 Better solids control practices allows us to drill in

environmentally sensitive areas

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Separation Technologies Today

 Settling

 Screening

 Centrifugal force

5
Methods of Solids Removal Used

Dump and dilute (dilution/displacement) still exist
 Limited to:
 Simple wells

 Shallow wells

 Simple and low cost mud systems


Settling
 Effective for large solids
 Constricted by space availability

Mechanical
 Screening
 Centrifugal force

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Equipment Removal Ranges
% Solids

CENTRIFUGE DESANDER
DESILTER OPERATING OPERATING RANGE
RANGE GUMBO CHAIN
OPERATING RANGE

SHAKER OPERATING RANGE

0 10 20 40 60 80 100 200 400 600 800

Particle size (equivalent diameter in microns)

Commercial clay Drill Solids

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Benefits of Improved Solids Control Practices

Maintaining the commercial solids in the system for there
specific purpose – “The Good”.

Controlling solids that are the most detrimental to the mud
system – “The Bad”.

Achieving better mud rheology and learning to maintain it

Maintaining more consistent fluid properties.

Maintaining the desired properties with minimum dilution /
displacement results in wells drilled:

Better, Faster, Cheaper

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When to use:
*High-Performance Shakers (*200 mesh capable)
& Centrifuges

Cost Factors
 Wells deeper than 10,000 ft. (generalization)
 More sophisticated mud
 More challenging wells
 More drilling days
 Higher mud cost

Environmental Impact
 Limited or no reserve pit (sump)
 Zero discharge in wetlands, lakes, bays, & offshore

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Primary Methods of Solids Removal: Deep Wells

Mechanical removal of solids

Dilution


Real World:
 Target 80 to 85% SRE through mechanical removal
 Maintain or achieve desired LGS target with dilution

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 Total mud bill for example well

Solids Removal Efficiency % (SRE %)

75% 80% 85%

WBM
$163,862 $130,395 $100,851
#1

OBM
$578,985 $467,681 $346,220
#2

SBM
$1,321,650 $1,053,688 $799,660
#3

Note: For each hole section, we assume the solids are not removed at the given removal rates of 75%, 80% and 85%. The
dilution requirements to maintain 8% LGS in surface hole and 5% in the remainder of the hole sections yield the above 11
cumulative mud cost
Dilution Removal vs. Mechanical Solids

20 to 1 rule (5% LGS)


Example (5 LGS%)
• 1 bbl of solids / 5% LGS = bbl dilution
1 ÷ .05 = 20

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       5 % required 20.0 barrels of dilution
       6 % required 16.6 barrels of dilution
        7 % required 14.2 barrels of dilution
 8 % required 12.50 barrels of dilution
         9 % required 11.1barrels of dilution
       10 % required 10.0 barrels of dilution

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Practical method of Solids Control is a combination of:

“Mechanical Removal & Dilution”


Set LGS target; example 5%

Plan & implement an aggressive SRE management
practices

Use dilution as the final means of reducing LGS.

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Typical Unweighted PSD

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Typical Weighted PSD

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Can you achieve the same solids control results
through dilution as mechanical removal?


No

Dilution is random without control.

Mechanical solids removal is a calculated or engineered
removal of a certain particle range.

The net effect of the two methods can yield comparable
LGS % with different mud rheology

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Chapter Review

Set LGS target; example 5%

Plan & implement an aggressive SRE management practices

Use dilution as the final means of reducing LGS.

Poor SRE can be adjusted with dilution but not without some trade-offs.

Results in:

 Higher mud co$t

 Mud rheology suffers
 ROP & hole problems
 Higher project co$t

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Importance of Solids Removal

Solids Control Equipment is Sequential Process

 Each stage of processing is dependent on the
previous equipment:

1. Shakers (Primary & Secondary)

2. Desander
3. Desilter (Mud Conditioners)
4. Centrifuge

Proper Sequence is Critical to Efficiency

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Chapter Review

Recognize how the following characteristics effect the
mud properties and solids removal methods and vice-
versa
 Particle size
 Particle shape
 Reactivity or Inert
 Specific gravity
 Mud Rheology
 Abrasive Solids

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
Chapter Overview


Why we remove solids from the mud ?

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Chapter 6 – Value Proposition of Better Mechanical Solids Removal

WHY WE REMOVE SOLIDS FROM THE MUD ?

INTRODUCTION

• To control the solids which are most detrimental to the mud system.

• To maintain commercial solids in the system for their specific purpose.

• To achieve better mud rheology and learn to maintain and control it.

• To maintain more consistent properties.

• To maintain desired properties with minimum dilution / displacement.

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Chapter 6 – Value Proposition of Better Mechanical Solids Removal

MECHANICAL REMOVAL

Types of Mechanical Removal:

• Settling

• Screening

• Centrifugal acceleration

• Chemically enhanced separation

• Good Solids control practice optimizes mechanical solids control efficiency and uses dilution for further
adjustment and mud property maintenance.

• The most practical solids control method is a combination of the two mechanical removal First and
maintaining with minimal dilution Second.

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Chapter 6 – Value Proposition of Better Mechanical Solids Removal

What other costs can be associated with dilution / displacement?

• Treatment Cost
• Transportation Cost
• Disposal Cost
• Associated reserve pit costs

What are the other advantages for Mechanical Removal?

• Improved Economic
• Environmental impact
• Less Reserve Pit Costs

What are the detrimental effects of Drilled Solids?

• Increased mud costs

• Reduced ROP
• Decreases Equipment Life
• Increases dilution/displacement requirement and disposal cost
• Poor Quality Filter Cake
• Increased opportunity of down hole problems
• Increased overall project costs

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Chapter 6 – Value Proposition of Better Mechanical Solids Removal

When is higher-end mechanical Solids Control most commonly used?

1. Wells approximately 10,000 feet and deeper:

Pros: Drivers for method of Mechanical Solids Control

• Mud Cost

• Mud Performance

Cons: More sophisticated solids control equipment does not pay off

• Shallower wells/ shorter drilling days

• Lack of time for solids accumulation which result in poor mud rheology

• Economics of simpler drilling fluids

• Lesser degree of difficulty of drilling, therefore mud performance less critical

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Chapter 6 – Value Proposition of Better Mechanical Solids Removal

2. Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Drivers – Environmental Regulations

• Limited or no reserve pit

• Zero discharge in wetlands, lakes, or offshore

CHAPTER 5B SUMMARY

• Why are solids removed from mud?

• Proper sequence of removal
• Types of removal processes
• Advantages of Mechanical Solids Removal over Dilution/Displacement
• Optimize Solids control Efficiency % (SRE) through better:
Planning
Planned periodic maintenance
Execution
Achieve LGS target: Optimize Mechanical SRE and adjust and
maintain with dilution

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