Drilling Engineering-I

Pet-E-211L
Lab Instructor :
Engr. Muhammad Awais Qureshi

Department of Petroleum &

Gas Engineering 06/22/2021
 Experiment # 01:
• Objective
• To find the density of different samples of drilling mud using
Mud balance.

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 Apparatus
• Mud Mixer
• Barite
• Salt
• Water
• Measuring cylinder
• Beaker
• Mud Balance
• Weighing Balance

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 Related Theory
• Mud Balance:
• It consists of a graduated beam with a bubble level and a weight slider
along its length and a cup with a lid on one end.
• The cup is used to hold a fixed amount of liquid so it can be weighed.
• A slider-weight can be moved along the beam, and a bubble indicates
when the beam is leveled.
• Density is read at the point where the slider-weight sits on the beam at
level.
• Calibration is done using a liquid of known density (often water) by
adjusting the counter weight.
• Typical mud balances are not pressurized, but a pressurized mud
balance operates in the same manner.

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Mud Balance

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• Bentonoite:
• The mineral bentonite can be found all over the world. It is formed
from weathering volcanic ash. It has some exceptional properties:
• when stirred into water, it demonstrates a so-called thixotropic
reaction. It reacts as a fluid when mechanically stressed, for example
shaken or stirred. However, it hardens in quiescent condition because
its viscosity increases.
• The most common use of bentonite is in drilling fluids.
• The bentonite in the flush fluid lubricates and cools the cutting tools
while protecting against corrosion.
• As the drilling fluid generates hydrostatic pressure in the borehole, it
hinders fluid and gas penetration. The drilling liquid conveys the
drill cuttings to the surface. When the purge pumps have idle
periods, the thixotrophy of the bentonite hinders the stone material
from dropping back into the drilled shaft.

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Barite:
• Barite is the primary, naturally occurring, barium-based mineral. 
• The chemical formula for barite is BaSO4.  It has a high specific
gravity of 4.50 g/cm3.
• The overwhelming majority of the barite that is mined is used by
the petroleum industry as a weighting material in the formulation
of drilling mud.  
• Barite increases the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling mud
allowing it to compensate for high-pressure zones experienced
during drilling.  
• The softness of the mineral also prevents it from damaging drilling
tools during drilling and enables it to serve as a lubricant.  
• The American Petroleum Institute (API) has established
specifications for the use of barite in drilling mud.

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 Density and Specific
Gravity
Material Specific Gravity g/cc Density PPG
Water 1 8.33
Bentonite 2.5 20.3
Barite 4.5 35

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 Procedure
1) A mud balance can be calibrated with water or other liquid of known
density by adjusting the rider and making the mud balance level. Positive
or negative error is noted down and is adjusted for subsequent readings.
2) After calibration, completely fill the cup with completely agitated mud
sample to be tested.
3) Put the lid on cup and rotate until firmly seated, making sure that, some
mud must spill through the lid hole.
4) Wipe away the spilled mud from the outside of the cup and lid.
5) Place the mud balance on its position in the box.
6) Move the rider until the graduated arm is leveled, as indicated by the
bubble level.
7) Note the density reading and remove the error if present. Report final
density in g/cc or ppg.

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Experiment Demonstration

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Mud Balance Calibration

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 Observation and
Calculations
• Barite + Water Solution :
• Mass of Barite : ___________ grams
• Volume of Water : _____________ml
• Mud Density : ____________ lbs/gal + Error (If needed)
• Specific Gravity : __________ g/cm3 + Error (If needed)
• Water + Salt Solution :
• Mass of Salt : ___________ grams
• Volume of Water : _____________ml
• Solution Density : ____________ lbs/gal + Error (If needed)
• Specific Gravity : __________ g/cm3 + Error (If needed)

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 Precautions
• It is essential that all part of mud balance should be kept clean
if accurate results are to be obtained.
• Calibration is mandatory before using mud balance.
• All air bubbles which may trap in the cup, must be eliminated.
• Wear relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) where
needed.

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 Viva Voce
1. List any five (5) very important functions of the drilling fluid?
2. What requirements should a drilling fluid meet?
3. What will be the effect of increasing the amount of barite in
the mud?

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