Drilling Fluids:

Lecture 2 of 2

© The Robert Gordon University 2006

 Water Based Mud

Calculations

© The Robert Gordon University 2006

 MATERIAL BALANCE EQUATION

Material balance equations are used for calculating volumes and densities
when two or more insoluble materials are mixed together.

The Material Balance Equation is:

V1W1 + V2W2 ..... = VFWF where: V1 + V2 ..... = VF

where:
V1 = Volume of first material to be mixed together
W1 = Density of first material
V2 = Volume of second material to be mixed together
W2 = Density of second material
VF = Total or sum of all volumes mixed together
WF = Density of total mixture. Proportional average of all volumes mixed
together
 MATERIAL BALANCE EQUATION
The most commonly used variables in material balance equations are:

• Barite
1. Weight of a barrel of barite (BaSO4)
s.g. = 4.2 ; density of barite= 8.33 lb/gal x 4.2= 34.9 lb/gal
42 gal/bbl x 8.33 lb/gal x 4.2 = 1470 lb/bbl
* since barite comes in 100 lb sacks, one barrel contains 14.70 sacks
2. Weight of a gallon of barite: 8.33 lb/gal x 4.2 = 34.9 lb/gal

• Hematite
1. Weight of a barrel of hematite (Fe2O3)
s.g. = 5.0 ; density of barite= 8.33 lb/gal x 5= 41.6 lb/gal
42 gal/bbl x 8.33 lb/gal x 5.0 = 1749 lb/bbl
2. Weight of a gallon of hematite: 8.33 lb/gal x 5.0 = 41.65 lb/gal

• Light Oil
1. Example - (41° API Gravity)
s.g. = 0.82
2. Weight of a gallon of oil: 8.33 lb/gal x 0.82 = 6.8 lb/gal
Example 1
Example 2
 Oil Based Mud

Calculations

© The Robert Gordon University 2006

 Oil based fluids

These fluids, because of their special nature of being a mixture of

two immiscible liquids (oil and water), require special treatments
and testing procedures.

Dispersed Phase: The liquid present in the form of finely divided

droplets.
Continuous Phase: The liquid present in the form of the matrix in
which the droplets are suspended.

To keep these liquids stabilized (i.e. to keep the dispersed phase

from coalescing and settling out of the mixture), an emulsifier is
added to form an interfacial film around the dispersed phase which
causes them to repel each other, so they remain dispersed.

The effectiveness of an emulsifier depends on the alkalinity and

electrolytes (chloride content) of the water phase, and the
temperature of the drilling fluid.
 Electrical Stability

The electrical stability (E.S.) of an oil-based drilling fluid is the

stability of the emulsions of water in oil, or the amount of current
required to break the emulsifier down and allow the saline water to
coalesce.

1. An electrical probe is inserted into the drilling fluid and the

voltage increased until the emulsion breaks down
a. the measure of emulsion breakdown is indicated by current
flow
b. relative stability is recorded as the amount of voltage at the
breakdown point

2. E.S. is recorded as the voltage reading and temperature of the

drilling fluid sample
a. adding emulsifier will raise the E.S. readings
b. normal “fresh” mud is about 300 or higher
c. during drilling, the E.S. can increase to 800 or higher
 Oil:Water Ratio

The Oil: Water Ratio is defined as the percent oil in the liquid phase
and the percent water in the liquid phase. The percentages can be
determined from a retort analysis of the drilling fluid.
 Oil:Water Ratio
The Oil: Water Ratio is defined as the percent oil in the liquid phase and the
percent water in the liquid phase. The percentages can be determined from a
retort analysis of the drilling fluid.
Example 3
 Aniline Point

Another common term used when dealing with oil-based

drilling fluids is the aniline point of that fluid. The aniline point
is the temperature below which an oil containing 50% by
volume aniline (C6H5-NH2) becomes cloudy. The solvent
powers for rubber are related to the solvent power for
aniline. Oils having an aniline point above 140oF are
considered acceptable to use.