MUD LOGGING DEFINITION,

THEORY & LAG

CALCULATIONS
- Mud logging is a service that qualitatively and
quantitatively obtains data from, and makes
observations of, drilled rocks, drilling fluids
and drilling parameters in order to formulate
and display concepts of the optional, in situ
characteristics of formations rocks with the
primary goal of delineating hydrocarbon
“shows” worthy of testing.
- The mud logging unit is the information center
on the rig site to serve both exploration and
drilling.
 General Purposes

.Optimized drilling efficiency -

.Comprehensive formation evaluation -
.Improved well site safety -
Role played by Mud Logging Unit
the collection of the rock cuttings which is 
geologically described, examined for any
.oil shows and then packed
the hydrocarbon & some non 
.hydrocarbone gas monitoring while drilling
the monitoring of the drill fluid volume and 
to immediately inform the personnel in
charge about any change in that volume
confirming with the driller about any drilling 
.breaks
the generation of mud logs and graphs .1
during the drilling of the well, acquisition of
.the data and producing a final well report
the monitoring of the drilling parameters & .2
informing the personnel in charge about
.any anomalies
monitoring the trips and updating a trip .3
sheet at a five-stand basis
the detection and evaluation of the .4
formation pressure, the hydraulics
.optimization and the well control
The mud logging unit is considered
the information centre of the rig
site as the unit participates in
the monitoring of each and
.every rig operation
TYPES OF MUD LOGGING UNITS
.Off-line mud logging units
.On-line mud logging units

A- Mud Logging Off-line service features

The off line mud logging unit includes a
number of separate panels. Each panel
works independently and is responsible for
measuring a definite parameter. There is no
communication between these panels. No
automatic calculations can be done and no
data storage. All panel calibrations are done
.manually
TYPES OF MUD LOGGING UNITS

B- Mud Logging On-line service features

:Minimum human interference-1
.Random errors minimized, i.e best accuracy -
More time for interpretation & More time for -
.monitoring
:Fully computerized service -2
High speed data processing (possible data -
transmission)
Better presentation of data & On time decision -
.making
 B- Mud Logging On-line service
features (continue)
:Best possible equipment design -3
.Maximum possible accuracy -
Minimum systematic errors & Minimum down -
.time
:Intrinsic safety -4
Safety environment -
.Safety equipment & Efficient warning system -
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Mud Logging Unit Captain.
The Unit captain is the senior mud logging engineer on
the location. He has primary responsibility for the
maintenance, management and provision of service by
the logging unit, its equipment and personnel to the
.client
Mud Logger.
He is responsible for the maintenance and correct
operation of the equipment. He is responsible for the
collation and presentation of the information monitored
in accordance with company standard procedures and
customer requirements to ensure a high quality
.service
 The Mud Logging Theory & Lag
Calculations
:Theory
The mud logging theory is based on the mud
cycle principal. The mud is sucked from the pits
(Active Pit) and pumped via the drilling string
down to the hole bottom. The mud is then
bumped against gravity through the annulus up
to the shakers. The time necessary to get the
drilled samples to the surface is exactly the time
required to pump the mud volume through this
passage. This is calculated and is known as Lag
time or lag strokes
 Lag
 Lag Deinitions:
Lag time is the time the mud takes to travel 
inside the hole between two specified depth
.points
The time taken between the surface to the 
.”bottom of the hole is called ”lag down“or“Lag in
The time taken between the bottom of the hole 
.”to the surface is called ”lag-up“ or “bottoms’up
The surface to surface time is called “Complete 
.cycle” or In/Out time
 Lag
Lag Equations:
:Converting Barrels  Gallons
Gallons (gal) = Barrels Î 42
:Converting Gallons  Barrels
Barrels (bbl) = Gallons ¸ 42
:Calculating Pipe Volume

2
(Pipe/ Collar ID )  Length(ft)
Pipe.Volume(bbl) 
1029
C. Calculating Annular volume
2 2
(Hole / Casing ID  Pipe / Collar OD )  Length(ft)
Ann. Volume (bbl) 
1029

D. Calculating Lag in Strks

AnnularVolu meb(bl)
Lagins
trokes
PumpO u tput(bbl/s
tk)
 Lag Equations
Calculating lag in minutes:

Lag  instrokes
Lag  in min utes
PumpRate( spm)
 Lag Equations
:Converting Meter  Foot
Feet (ft) = Meter x 3.281
:Converting Cu. in  Barrels
Barrel (bbl) =9702 cu. in
:Converting g/cc  ppg
ppg = g/cc x 8.33
 Lag Equations
Lag Correction:
The number of strokes from the surface to
.the bit inside the pipe
The total number of strokes from starting
up the pump until the gas arrives at the
.surface
Subtract 1 from 2
The resulting number of strokes is the actual
lag time. From this it is possible to estimate
.the amount of washout in the hole