Section

3a

wbm testing procedures

The funnel viscosity will be measured in seconds per quart.

The funnel must be calibrated on a regular basis. The viscosity of fresh water
at 70 F (21.1 C) is 26 secs/qt (27.6 sec/l) and any reading above this would
indicate that the spout of the funnel required cleaning. The diameter of the
spout is 3/16 and a hand held drill bit of this diameter should be used to clear
any deposits/cake.

equipment

Thermometer: 32 220 F (0 105 C)

Stopwatch
Graduated cup: one quart / litre
Marsh funnel

procedures
1) Cover the orifice with a finger and pour a freshly agitated fluid sample
through the screen into the clean, dry and upright funnel until the liquid
level reaches the bottom of the screen.
2) Quickly remove the finger and measure the time required for the fluid to
fill the receiving vessel to the one quart (946 ml).
3) Report the result to the nearest second as Marsh Funnel viscosity and the
temperature to the nearest degree.

interpretation
The funnel viscosity is a good quick guide to whether a water based mud
is thickening or thinning. However further analysis of rheology and solids
content will be required before embarking on any treatment program.
The result is temperature dependent but not to the same degree as SBM.
The funnel viscosity is, therefore, a more relevant indicator of trends in a
WBM.

rheology
discussion
The rheology will be determined using a Motor Driven Fann 6 speed
Viscometer. Ensure that the Viscometer motor runs at the same electrical
cycles (either 50 hertz or 60 hertz) as the rig power, otherwise erroneous
readings will be obtained. Offshore rigs usually operate on 60 hertz.
All Viscometers sent to the rig site must have been recently calibrated and
carry a label noting the date of the last calibration.
Drilling fluid is contained in the annular space between two concentric
cylinders. The outer cylinder or rotor sleeve is driven at a constant rotational
velocity. The rotation of the rotor sleeve in the fluid produces a torque on
the inner cylinder or bob, and the dial attached to the bob indicates
displacement of the bob. This is the standard procedure recommended by
API 13B for field testing water based drilling fluids.
Instrument constants have been adjusted so that the Bingham plastic
viscosity and yield point can be obtained by using the readings at 300 rpm
and 600 rpm.


When checking oil

base mud systems it is
recommended to insert
the thermometer in the
actual fluid to ensure
the correct testing
temperature has been
reached