UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

GEOLOGY AND DRILLING LABORATORY
(CGE 558)
NAME
2013252638
EXPERIMENT
DATE PERFORMED
SEMESTER
:3
PROGRAMME/CODE
GROUP
No.
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Title
Abstract/Summary
Introduction
Aims/Objectives
Theory
Apparatus
Procedure
Results
Calculations
Discussion
Conclusions
Recommendation
References
Appendices
Total

: MOHAMMAD FAIZUAN BIN ISMAIL

: DRILLING FLUID CONTAMINATION TEST
: 30 OCTOBER 2012
: CGE 558
: EH2233A
Allocated marks
5
%
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Remarks:

Checked by:

No

Title

Pages

Abstract

Introduction

Objectives

Theory

Apparatus

Procedure

Result

10

Calculations

13

Discussion

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Conclusions

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Recommendations

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References

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Appendices

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TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0

ABSTRACT

After conduct this experiment, we are able to know the effect of

Gypsum to density, Plastic Viscosity and Yield Point of drilling fluid. Before
doing this experiment, we have to find it properties which are pH and
density. To find its pH, we use pH meter while to find its density, we use
mud balance.
We prepare 200 ml of water-based mud in 4 beakers and add different
amount of Gypsum which are 5g, 10g, 15g, and 20g into each of it. By
using viscometer, we take the reading at 600rpm and 300rpm. The
difference of the reading is the Plastic Viscosity.
To find the Yield Point, we use formula which is
( p = 300

p 0.5 N/m (lb/100ft2)

2.0 INTRODUCTION
The effects of contamination depend largely upon the mud type and the
concentration and type of contaminating salt. Divalent salts (calcium and
magnesium) will have a greater contaminating effect on water-based
muds than mono-valent salts (sodium and potassium). In general, waterbase mud is the most susceptible to contamination of various types.

Gypsum contamination basically indicated by high viscosity, high flat

gels, and increase fluid floss. An analysis of filtrate will show increase
concentrations of both calcium and sulfates. When drilling small thin
anhydride stringers, the mud may be treated with soda ash or, in some
cases, phosphates or sodium carbonates. If massive anhydride
encountered, the mud can either be converted to a gyp mud or to high
pH. (J.J. Azar and G. Robello Samuel 2007).

Water-based muds consist of four basic phases which is water, active colloidal solids,
inert solids and chemicals. Water is the continuous phase of any water-based mud. Primary
function of the continuous phase is to provide the initial viscosity which can be modified to
obtain any desirable rheological properties. The second function of the continuous phase is
to suspend the reactive colloidal solids, such as bentonite, inert solids, such as barite. Water
also acts as a medium for transferring the surface available hydraulic horsepower to the bit
on the bottom of the hole. Water is also a solution medium for all conditioning chemicals
which are added to the drilling fluid. In water based muds, clay is added to increase density,
viscosity, gel strength and yield point, and to decrease fluid loss. Clays used in water based
drilling fluids are mainly in three groups:
-Montmorillonites (bentonite)
-Kaolinites

-Illites
-gypsum

Chemicals used in water based muds can be grouped according to their functions as:
-Thinners
-Dispersants
-Deflocculants
The most common contaminants to water-based mud systems are:

Gypsum/anhydrite (Ca++)
Cement/lime (Ca++)
Makeup water (Ca++, Mg++)
Solids (added, drilled, active, inert)
Soluble sulfides (HS, S)
Salt/salt water flow (Na+, Cl)
Soluble bicarbonates and carbonates (HCO3, CO3)

Gypsum or (CaSO4 - 2H2O) contains calcium ions (Ca++) which are soluble and it can
flocculate colloidal clays and precipitate large anionic polymers that contain carboxylate
groups, such as an acrylate polymer. The calcium ion tends to replace the sodium ions on
the clay surface through a base exchange, thus causing undesirable changes in mud
properties such as rheology and filtration. It also causes added thinners to the mud system
to become ineffective. On the other hand, some mud types tolerate calcium, in which case
calcium is not considered a contaminant.

3.0 OBJECTIVES
To study the effect of contamination of Gypsum (CaSO4-2H20) to the
density, Plastic Viscosity and Yield point of water based mud. This salt
commonly encountered during drilling, completion or work over
operations.

4.0 THEORY
In preparing a bentonite slurry using fresh water, the bentonite will
hydrate and agitation furnished by a mixer is sufficient to separate the
hydrated clay plate lets and result in a viscosity and gel strength increase,
if the bentonite is placed in salty water or water containing dissolved
hardness (calcium or magnesium) the hydration and subsequent
dispersion by agitation is reduced.

A mud is said to be contaminated when a foreign material enters the mud

system and causes undesirable changes in mud properties such as the
density, the viscosity, and/or filtration. In general, water-base mud
systems are the most susceptible to contamination of various types. Mud
contamination can result from overtreatment of the mud system with
additives of from material entering the mud during drilling.

5.0 APPARATUS

Water-base mud
Gypsum
Mass balance
Mud balance
Viscometer
Beaker

6.0 PROCEDURES
1. 200 ml base mud was measured in a beaker.
2. The base mud was tested for weight, Plastic Viscosity, and Yield
Point by using viscometer.
3. The base mud then was contaminated with 5 grams of gypsum.
4. After that, the sample was stirred for 3 minutes. Then, the sample
was aged for 15 minutes and was stirred again for 2-3 minutes.
Their viscosity, yield point, density, and pH were determined.
5. Then, another sample of base mud with volume 200ml was
prepared.
6. Step 3 & 4 were repeated by using 10, 15, and 20 g Gypsum.
7. The data then were recorded in proper table. Graph of density,
Plastic Viscosity, and Yield Point versus amount of Gypsum added
were plotted to see the effect of Gypsum contamination to the mud
properties.
Viscosity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Firstly, the viscometer is set up.

The rotor bob and mud cup are cleaned.
250 ml of mud are prepared and poured into the mud cup.
The experiment is started when the viscometer is switched on at the speed of 600 rpm.
The reading on the viscometer is recorded.
Steps 4 and 5 are repeated five times using different speed of 300 rpm, 200 rpm, 100 rpm,
6 rpm and 3 rpm.
The data is tabulated on the table.

7.0 RESULT
Reading

Water based
5

Water-based mud (WBM) + Gypsum (g)

10
15
20
9

Density (ppg)
Mud weight
(SG)
pH value
Viscometer
reading

mud
8.50
163.46

8.80
169.23

9.00
173.08

9.30
178.85

9.50
182.69

8.01
27.3

8.97
35.0

7.75
39.6

7.67
45.0

7.43
22.5

24.4

34.7

36.2

34.5

9.4

2.9

0.3

3.4

9.6

13.1

12.2

17.5

19.8

22.5

11.25

22.95

27.15

34.50

29.7

2.95

at

600 rpm
Viscometer
reading

at

300 rpm
Plastic
Viscosity, PV
(p)
Apparent
Viscosity,
(a)
Yield

Point,

lb/100 ft

10

Density against mass of gypsum

9.6
9.4

f(x) = 0.05x + 8.55

R = 0.99

9.2
Density , ppg

9
8.8
8.6
8.4

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

Mass of gypsum, g
Density against mass of gypsum
Linear (Density against mass of gypsum)

Graph 1: Density against the amount of Gypsum

11

Plastic viscosity against Mass of Gypsum

15

f(x) = 0.89x - 4.55

R = 0.98

10
Plastic viscosity PV, (cp)

5
0

10 12 14 16 18 20 22

Mass of Gypsum , g
Plastic viscosity against Mass of Gypsum
Linear (Plastic viscosity against Mass of Gypsum)

Graph 2: Plastic Viscosity (PV) against the amount of Gypsum

12

Yeild point against mass of gypsum

40

f(x) = - 1.55x + 42.93

R = 0.5

30
Yeild point, Yp (lb/100ft) 20
10
0

10 12 14 16 18 20 22

mass of gypsum, g
Yeild point against mass of gypsum
Linear (Yeild point against mass of gypsum)

Graph 3: Yield Point (Yp) against the amount of Gypsum

13

8.0 CALCULATIONS
1

Apparent viscosity, (a) =600/2 (cp)

For 5g:
= 35.0 / 2
= 17.50 cp
15g:
= 45.0 / 2
= 22.5 cp

10g:
=39.6/2
=19.8 cp
20g:
=22.5/2
=11.25 cp

Plastic viscosity (p) =600300 (cp)

5g:
10g:
= 35.0-34.7
=39.6-36.2
= 0.3 cp
= 3.4 cp
15g:
20g:
=45-34.5
= 22.5-9.4
=10.5 cp
= 13.1 cp
Yield point (yp) =300p 0.5 n/m2 (lb/100 ft2)
5g:
10g:
=34.7-0.3(0.5)
=36.2-3.4(0.5)
= 34.55
=34.5
15g:
20g:
=34.5-10.5(0.5)
=9.4-13.1(0.5)
= 29.25
=2.85

9.0 DISCUSSION
9.1 DENSITY
The term weight is used in connection with mud more often than
density, even though density is the more correct term. This is a
14

consequence of the first attempts to measure properties of mud. In this

experiment, we use mud balance to find the density of mud. The unit used
here is ppg (pound per gallon).
Ideally, a mud weight as low as the weight of water is desired, for
optimum drilling rate sand for minimizing the chances of fracturing the
formation. However, in practice, mud density in excess of two times the
density of water may be necessary, to contain abnormal pressures or to
mechanically stabilize unstable formations.
From the data obtained, drilling fluid with amount of Gypsum added
are 0g, 5g, 10g, 15g, and 20g have density about 8.50ppg, 8.80ppg,
9.00ppg, 9.30ppg and 9.50ppg respectively. It is clearly seen from Figure 1
that the value of density in increased when we increase the amount of
Gypsum.
Firstly, we must clean the mass balance before using it. There might
be some dust and dirt inside it. Even it is in small quantity, more or less it
will affect our reading. Then, during finding the density of drilling mud by
using mud balance, ensure that the air bubble is correctly positioned at
the centre. While we doing the experiment, we try hardly to put the
bubble at the centre. Because of time constraining, we just take the
reading when the bubble is getting nearer to the centre.

9.2 PLASTIC VISCOSITY (PV)

15

PV is one of the parameter of the Bingham plastic model. PV is the slope of the
shear stress/shear rate line above the yield point.

PV represents the viscosity of a mud when extrapolated to infinite

shear rate on the basis of the mathematics of the Bingham model. YP is
also the other parameter of that model. A low PV indicates that the mud
is capable of drilling rapidly because of the low viscosity of mud exiting
at the bit. High PV is caused by a viscous base fluid and by excess clay. To
lower PV, a reduction in solids content can be achieved by dilution of the
mud.
However, in this experiment, we added different amount of Gypsum
to drilling fluid so that we will know either the PV is increasing or
decreasing when we increase the amount of Gypsum.
9.3 YIELD POINT (YP)
YP is the yield stress extrapolated to a shear rate of zero. A Bingham
plastic fluid plots as a straight line on a shear rate (x-axis) versus shear
16

stress (y-axis) plot, in which YP is the zero-shear-rate intercept. PV is the

slope of the line. From this experiment, YP is calculated from 300- and
600-rpm viscometer dial readings by subtracting PV from the 300-rpm dial
reading.
( p = 300

p 0.5 N/m (lb/100ft2)

YP is used to evaluate the ability of a mud to lift cuttings out of the

annulus. A high YP implies a non-Newtonian fluid, one that carries cuttings
better than a fluid of similar density but lower YP.
However, in this experiment, we added different amount of Gypsum
to drilling fluid so that we will know either the YP is increasing or
decreasing when we increase the amount of Gypsum. Drilling fluid with
amount of Gypsum added are , 5g, 10g, 15g, and 20g have YP about
34.55cP,34.5cP, 29.25cP, and 2.85cP respectively. This is clearly shown at
Figure 2.

17

10.0 CONCLUSIONS
Drilling fluid with amount of Gypsum added are 0g, 5g, 10g, 15g,
and 20g have density about 10.3ppg, 10.2ppg, 10.9ppg, 10.9ppg and
10.6ppg respectively. Density of mud gives huge impact on rate of
penetration of drill bit. To slow down the rate of penetration, add more
Gypsum to the mud.
Drilling fluid with amount of Gypsum added are 0g, 5g, 10g, 15g,
and 20g have PV for about 0, 1, 10, 10 and 11 lb/100ft respectively. For
better works, reduce the plastic viscosity of drilling mud. A low PV
indicates that the mud is capable of drilling rapidly because of the low
viscosity of mud exiting at the bit.
Drilling fluid with amount of Gypsum added are 0g, 5g, 10g, 15g,
and 20g have YP about 20cP, 22.5cP, 13cP, 17cP, and 15.5cP respectively.
For better works during drilling, increase the yield point of the drilling
mud. A high YP mud can carries cuttings better than a fluid of similar
density but lower YP.

18

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Clean the outside and inside of mass balance before using it.
2. Start the experiment (mud balance part) early so that can find the
density correctly.
3. Crush the Gypsum into powder before add it into mud.
4. Use spatula to clean the beaker when pouring the mud into another
container.

19

12.0 REFERENCES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-6I6kyRXc4 (Plastic Viscosity of

Drilling Mud)

Sharma, A. (2011, 10 20). Mud Rheology Test. Retrieved from

http://www.scribd.com/doc/69577132/Mud-Rheology-Test
http://petrowiki.org/Mud_contamination.
Geology and Drilling Laboratory Manual Lab.
http://www.wipertrip.com/drilling-fluids/contamination/332-drilling-fluid-contamination.html

13.0 APPENDICES

20

Figure 4 Gypsum is being weighed by mass balance

find pH of drilling mud

Figure 6 Mud balance is use to find density of mud

mud is prepared in 4 beaker

Figure 5 pH meter to

Figure 7 200ml

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Figure 8 the mixer

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