INTRODUCTION

The water emulsion based muds are analyzed to determine the effect of different
emulsifier composition to the rheological properties of the mud. For this experiment, the
emulsifiers used were Confi Mul S and Confi Mul P. Diesel was added to represent the oil in
the mud. This oil is the dispersed phase in the emulsion and the water is the continuous
phase. By using different volumes of the emulsifiers, we obtained the results for this
experiment. The results can be expressed in terms of mud density, ppg, plastic viscosity, cp,
apparent viscosity, cp, yield point , lb/100sqft, gel strength , 10 seconds and 10 minutes, pH,
filtration volume, cc, and mud cake thickness, /32inch.

1
THEORY

An emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible. Different
types of emulsion can form from two liquids. For example, oil and water can form, first , oil-
in-water emulsion, which oil is the dispersed phase and water is the continuous phase.
Second, they can form a water-in-oil emulsion, wherein water is the dispersed phase and oil
is the continuous phase. Fresh or salt water mud may be used as the base mud.

The stability of emulsions depends on the presence of emulsifying agents in the mixture.
Emulsification takes place by reduction of surface tension between the two phases. In
addition, the emulsifying creates a film over one phase that forms globules, which repel each
other. The orientation furnishes like charges to the dispersed droplets causing their mutual
repulsion and hence, a state of stable dispersion. This repulsive forces cause them to remain
suspended in the continuous phase. Agitation and mixing is required to obtain complete
stability and several cycles through the mud system are normally required.

On the other hand, all types of oil, even crude oil can be used in preparing water emulsion
based mud, but the flash point must be greater than 150⁰F and anline number greater than 155
to minimize the deterioration of rubber parts in the circulating system.

Furthermore, usually the quantity of oil used in a base mud is around 5% to 10%. The
amount varies because it will be based on the specific properties that is needed which is
determined by pilot testing in a specific case.

In addition, this oil-in-water emulsion is usually used to emulate the same properties of oil
based mud. The water emulsion based mud should show results similar to that of an oil based
mud.

2
METHODOLOGY

List of Materials and Apparatus:-

Materials

 Bentonite
 Diesel
 Confi Mul P
 Confi Mul S
 Sarapar

Apparatus

 Mud Mixer
 Mud Balance
 Rheometer
 Thermometer
 Filter Press
 Graduated Cylinder
 pH Paper
 Vernier Caliper
 Resistivity Meter

Experimental Procedure

1. 6 sets of fixed volume of basic mud was prepared and stirred for about 10-15 minutes
before the test was conducted to make sure the mud was mixed properly and the
reading obtained was more precise and accurate.
2. Properties of basic mud had been observed through a few tests:-
a) Mud density (ppg)
b) Plastic viscosity (cp)
c) Apparent viscosity (cp)
d) Yield point (lb/100 sq ft)

3
 e) Gel strength (10 seconds and 10 minutes)
f) pH
g) 30 min filtration (cc)
h) Mud cake thickness (/32 in)

3. 700 ml of basic mud was prepared for the initial test and stirred for 15 minutes before
the mud properties were tested as in procedure 2.

4. 5 ml of Confi Mul P and 20 ml of diesel (by volume) were added into 660 ml of basic
mud and stirred for 15 minutes before the mud properties were tested as in procedure
2.
5. 10 ml of Confi Mul P and 40 ml of diesel (by volume) were added into 650 ml of
basic mud and stirred for 15 minutes before the mud properties were being tested as in
procedure 2.
6. 5 ml of Confi Mul S and 20 ml of diesel (by volume) were added into 660 ml of basic
mud and stirred for 15 minutes before the mud properties were being tested as in
procedure 2.
7. 10 ml of Confi Mul S and 40 ml of diesel (by volume) were added into 650 ml of
basic mud and stirred for 15 minutes before the mud properties were being tested as in
procedure 2.
8. 5 ml of Confi Mul P and 20 ml of sarapar (by volume) were added into 650ml of basic
mud and stirred for 15 minutes before the mud properties were being tested as in
procedure 2.

4
 RESULTS

Sample 700ml of 660 ml of 650 ml of 660 ml of 650 ml 650 ml

Basic basic mud basic mud basic mud of basic of basic
Mud +5 ml + 10 ml + 5 ml mud mud
Confi Mul Confi Mul Confi Mul + 10 ml + 5 ml
P + 20 ml P + 40 ml S + 20 ml Confi Confi
diesel diesel diesel Mul S + Mul P +
Properties 40 ml 20 ml
diesel Sarapar

Mud Density (ppg) 8.5 8.3 8.1 8.3 8.2 7.9

Plastic Viscocity 1.0 2.0 4.0 1.5 2.0 1.5

(cp)
Apparent Viscosity 3.0 4.25 6.0 4.5 5.0 5.0
(cp)
Yield Point 4.0 4.5 4.0 3.0 6.0 7.0
(lb/100sq.ft)
pH 9.93 8.0 7.31 8.29 7.8 8.46
Gel 10 secs 1.5 2.9 5.0 2.0 4.0 3.0
Strength 10 mins 2.0 1.5 5.5 2.5 3.0 2.5
(Pa)
Filtrate Time Volume Volume Volume Volume Volume Volume
Volume (mins) (cc) (cc) (cc) (cc) (cc) (cc)
1.0 6.75 5.5 3.5 3.0 4.0 5.0
2.0 9.5 7.0 5.5 5.0 6.0 6.5
3.0 11.5 8.5 6.0 7.0 7.5 8.0
5.0 14.5 10.5 7.5 8.5 9.0 10.0
7.5 17.0 12.5 9.0 11.0 11.0 12.0
10.0 20.5 14.0 10.0 13.0 13.0 13.5
15.0 25.0 17.0 12.0 16.0 15.5 16.5
20.0 29.0 19.0 13.5 18.5 18.0 19.5
25.0 32.5 21.0 15.5 20.5 19.0 20.5
30.0 35.5 23.0 16.5 22.5 21.5 23.0

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 Mud Trial Thickness Thickness Thickness Thickness Thickness Thickness
Cake (in) (in) (in) (in) (in) (in)
Thicknes 1 0.0510 0.0760 0.1020 0.0835 0.0575 0.0660
s 2 0.0630 0.0735 0.1045 0.0840 0.0500 0.0640
Average 0.0570 0.0748 0.1033 0.0838 0.0538 0.0650
Mud Resistivity 4.5 4.9 4.6 4.5 4.6 4.5
(ohm-meter)

GRAPH OF FILTRATION VOLUME VS TIME

40

35
700ml basic mud
30
660ml basic mud+5ml Confi
Volume of filtrate(cc)

25 Mul P+20ml diesel

650ml basic mud+10ml
20
Confi Mul P+40ml diesel
660ml basic mud+5ml Confi
Mul S+20ml diesel
15
650ml basic mud+10ml
Confi Mul S+40ml diesel
10
650ml basic mud+5ml Confi
Mul P+20ml sarapar
5

0
1 2 3 5 7.5 10 15 20 25 30

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 COMPARISON GRAPH OF MUD PROPERTIES
12

10

700ml basic mud 660ml basic mud+5ml Confi Mul P+20ml diesel
650ml basic mud+10ml Confi Mul P+40ml diesel 660ml basic mud+5ml Confi Mul S+20ml diesel
650ml basic mud+10ml Confi Mul S+40ml diesel 650ml basic mud+5ml Confi Mul P+20ml sarapar

7
DISCUSSION

In this experiment, we are discussing about the water emulsion based mud. Before we
proceed to the function and significance of this experiment first we take a look what really
water emulsion based mud. Based to Schlumberger glossary a water-base drilling fluid that
contains dispersed oil or synthetic hydrocarbon as an internal phase. Early emulsion muds
used diesel or crude oil dispersed into alkaline water-base muds. Synthetic liquids are now
being substituted for oils in emulsion muds. Water-base muds containing certain synthetic
liquids can be discharged in the Gulf of Mexico because they are environmentally safe and
pass the EPA static sheen test and mysid shrimp toxicity tests.
One of the major problems related to almost all kinds of drilling fluids containing an
oleic phase is their stability at higher temperature and high pressure conditions because the
stability decreases with increase in temperature as the number of collisions between the
droplets increases. So, the stabilization factor is associated with is emulsion based drilling
fluids also. The filtrate from properly stabilized emulsion drilling fluids is substantially 100
% water with all the oil retained in the filter cake. They also promote hole stability in poorly
cemented formations, and finally avoid or overcome the loss of circulation. The stabilization
of emulsion drilling fluids containing diesel oil can be achieved by a suitable emulsifier such
as starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), lignosulfonates, lignitic compounds. The use of
starch and CMC is also done to control the filtration losses to the formation. Some of the soap
based emulsifiers which promotes emulsification are sodium, potassium or ammonium salts
of higher fatty acids and various synthetic detergents.
The other colloidal particles that stabilize the emulsion based drilling fluids
(containing diesel as oleic phase) both by providing steric hindrance to the coalescence of oil
and water droplets and by modifying the rheological properties of interfacial region are
calcium carbonate (CaCO3), barium sulphate (BaSO4) and carbon graphite. As per some
recent development it has been investigated that Xanthan gum works as an emulsifier for
emulsion drilling fluids containing diesel as internal phase in the presence of CaCO3.
Xanthan gum not only works as emulsifier but viscosity modifier for such drilling fluid
systems. Clays used as drilling fluid additive in almost all kinds of drilling fluids; mainly a
montomorillonite species is added to increase the rheological properties such as apparent
viscosity, plastic viscosity and gel strength. Most of the material of this type is generally
known as bentonite. The drilling fluids containing clays have other numerous advantages
such as improved hole cleaning properties, decreased water seepage or filtration into

8
permeable formation by providing a thin impermeable filter cake. The colloidal clays,
particularly bentonite act as emulsifier for emulsion based drilling fluid systems. Use of some
organic emulsifiers in clay water drilling fluids can provide a greater degree of stabilization
to the emulsions.
have low permeability so that loss of filtrate in to the rock formation can be controlled
but it should also allow the hydrocarbons to flow back during the production.
Next by using this type of mud lubricity highly boost. Thus, wellbore lubrication is
exceptionally important especially shallow, horizontal wells and emulsion based drilling
fluids show superior lubricating qualities. These fluids usually form a thin filter cake and thus
minimize the friction between drill pipe and By using water emulsion based mud, we can get
a few improvements in certain aspect. For instance, rheological and filtration properties
enhance the ability of the fluid to carry drill cuttings to the surface and to keep solids
suspended form when flow stops, thus affecting hole cleaning in the annulus. Then directly
affects the pressure differential in the drill-pipe and the annulus which is ultimately
associated with the pumping requirements. The rheological properties of significance are
apparent viscosity, plastic viscosity and gelling properties of the fluid. These rheological
parameters are well achieved in emulsion based drilling fluids. As a general rule, viscosity at
the bit effects penetration rate, this will be better when viscosity is low. Usually a drilling
fluid with lower plastic viscosity and higher yield point is recommended as the lower plastic
viscosity provides turbulence at the drill bit for better hole cleaning and higher yield point
ensures enhanced carrying capacity and strong shear thinning behavior. Apart from these
above mentioned advantages, emulsions have ability to reduce the filtrate loss to the
formation. The reason behind lower filtrate volume is the ability of emulsion droplets to
provide thin filter cake while drilling. The filter cake (essentially concentrated drilling fluid)
should the wall of wellbore thus enhances the lubricating properties and reduces the risk of
differential sticking. Differential sticking is a condition whereby the drill string cannot be
rotated or reciprocated along the axis of the well bore. It typically occurs when high contact
forces are caused by low pressure reservoirs and/or high well pressures are exerted over a
sufficiently large area of drill string.
Next we discuss about the relationship between flashpoint and the volume of the
diesel in the water emulsion based mud. The definition of flashpoint is the temperature at
which a particular organic compound gives off sufficient vapor to ignite in air. So we need to
balance the volume of the oil as too much oil in the mud will become the oil based mud. By

9
adding diesel for in the water based mud. It will increase the flashpoint of the mud as it
suitable for HPHT situation.
Before further discussion in these experiment, we would to explain Confi Mul P and
Confi Mul S in these water emulsion based mud. According to Scomi data sheet Confi Mul P
a formulated blend of emulsifiers for use as a primary emulsifier in the SCOMI Oiltools
invert drilling mud system, CONFI- DRILL. While the other material Confi Mul S act as a
proprietary surfactant blend for use as a secondary emulsifier in invert drilling mud systems.
Generally both material offers emulsion stability as well as high temperature tolerance and
resistance to contamination. The significance difference between two material are Confi Mul
P need lime to fully activate the emulsion properties while Confi Mul S just needed lime to
boost stability.
By using water emulsion based mud all the yield point have great difference with the
plastic viscosity. As mention earlier high yield point enhance the wellbore stability by
maximize the carrying properties. Other than that it will easier to drill as all material will be
clean faster rather using conventional mud. Based on the experiment that had been
conducted, by using Confi Mul S both slightly acidic when mixing with the basic mud. While
Confi Mul P shows pH 7 which is neutral. Acidic mud give the downside as it will corrode
the drill bit and metal material. This will make cost of production increase. Hence to
overcome acidic mud we can mixing the mud with soda ash to increase the pH to neutral or to
slightly alkaline.
Next we saw clearly by filtrate water emulsion based mud, the volume of filtrate
decreasing rather than using basic mud. Experiment number 3 recorded decreasing amount of
water filtrate about 10.5 ml. Also we can see by adding more Confi Mul P or Confi Mul S it
can reduce the water loss. In the nutshell water emusion based mud can act as water filtration
loss hence elevate the mud in the HPHT condition.

Next, talking about the difference between Sarapar and Diesel. Based on the result,
we might see no difference in the filtrate volume but a significant different result in yield
point, it indicates that Sarapar has more ability to carry cuttings to the surface. Last, the
brownish color in the filtrate is due to solid particle from mud the leak through filter paper
make the filtrate become brown.

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CONCLUSION

In this investigation we examine about the water emulsion based mud. water-base
drilling liquid contains scattered interior stage. Early emulsion muds utilized diesel or crude
oil scattered into basic water-base muds. Engineered fluids are presently being substituted for
oils in emulsion muds. The strength decrease with increment in temperature as the quantity of
collision between the beads increase. So the stabilizing factor is related with emulsion based
drilling fluids. This is an issues identified with a wide range of drilling fluid containing an
oleic phase as their stability at higher temperature and high pressure conditions. The filtrate
from emulsion drilling fluid is considerably 100 % water with all the oil held in the filter
cake. They also promote hole stability in poorly cemented formations, and finally avoid or
overcome the loss of circulation. The use of starch and CMC is to stabilize and control the
filtration losses to the formation.

The drilling fluids containing clays have many advantages such as improved hole
cleaning properties, decreased water seepage or filtration into permeable formation by
providing a thin impermeable filter cake. The colloidal clays, particularly bentonite act as
emulsifier for emulsion based drilling fluid systems. Use of some organic emulsifiers in clay
water drilling fluids can provide a greater degree of stabilization to the emulsions.

By using water emulsion based mud, we can get a few improvement in certain aspect
such as the ability of the fluid to carry drill cuttings to the surface. Then directly affects the
pressure differential in the drill-pipe and the annulus which is ultimately associated with the
pumping requirements. The mud properties are well achieved in emulsion based drilling
fluids. However, viscosity at the bit effects penetration rate, this will be better when viscosity
is low. Usually a drilling fluid with lower plastic viscosity and higher yield point is
recommended as the lower plastic viscosity provides turbulence at the drill bit for better hole
cleaning and higher yield point ensures enhanced carrying capacity. Emulsions also have
ability to reduce the filtrate loss to the formation. This is because the ability of emulsion
droplets to provide thin filter cake while drilling. The filter cake (essentially concentrated
drilling fluid) should have low permeability so that loss of filtrate in to the rock formation can
be controlled but it should also allow the hydrocarbons to flow back during the production.

11
 Next by utilizing this kind of mud lubricity is increases. Wellbore lubrication is essential
particularly shallow, horizontal wells and emulsion based drilling fluids demonstrate highly
lubricating qualities. These liquids forms a thin channel cake and in this way limit the friction
between drill pipe and the wall of wellbore accordingly improves the lubricating properties
and lessens the danger of differential sticking. Differential sticking is a condition whereby the
drill string can't be turned or pulled upward the well bore. It commonly happens when there is
high pressure differential in the well

According to Scomi, Confi Mul P a mixture of emulsifiers for use as a primary

emulsifier. however,Confi Mul S as a proprietary surfactant mixture for use as an secondary
emulsifier in inverse penetrating mud system. For the most part both material offers emulsion
stability and also high temperature tolerance and protection from contamination. The
difference between two material are Confi Mul P require time to completely activate the
emulsion properties while Confi Mul S simply required time to increase stability.

Based on the experiment that had been conducted, by utilizing water emulsion based mud
the majority of the yield point have great difference with the plastic viscosity. High yield
point improve the wellbore stability by increasing the carrying capacity. The Confi Mul S
both should be acidic when mixed with the basic mud. While Confi Mul P should be pH 7
which is neutral. However because of a few mistakes the outcomes got varied. Acidic mud
give the drawback as it will erode the drilling tool. This will influence cost of production to
increment. Subsequently we can mix the mud with soda ash to prevent acidic mud and
increase the pH to neutral or to alkaline. We can also see by filtrate water emulsion based
mud, the volume of filtrate decreasing rather than using basic mud. Also we can see by
adding more Confi Mul P or Confi Mul S it can reduce the water loss.

12
In a nutshell this experiment was successfully conducted. The adding of diesel into the water
based mud to form a water emulsion based mud could solve problem of drilling fluid itself,
but the adding of this oil will change the properties of the basic mud. Moreover, the viscosity
of the mud is depend on the composition of the oil in mud. The more oil was used, the
viscosity of the mud will increase. The composition of the oil in the mud must be in suitable
quantity to get not too low viscosity of the mud. In a complete analysis of the experiment, we
could see clear differences when different emulsifiers were used in the presence of different
concentrations of diesel. Confi Mul S and Confi Mul P were used as emulsifiers. The
emulsifiers reduced the mud filterates, Confi mul S and Confi mul P decreased the pH and
mud density while increased the gel strength and yield point. This shows which system of
mud can best perform in a specific formation characteristics. The benefits of using water
emulsion based mud are clear, and it increase the lubricity.

13
SUGGESTION

 Position of eyes must be perpendicular to the reading to avoid parallax error.

 Make sure calibrate the mud balance before measuring the mud density and make sure
the bubble is at the centre.

 Take average readings to get the most accurate reading

 Carefully handle the waste of drilling mud and place it in appropriate place that’s had
been prepared by lab assistant

 Make sure wipe the Filter press before placing the filter paper in it to prevent error in
the reading of mud filtrate.

 Make sure the Vernier caliper is at zero before measuring the thickness of the mud

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REFERENCES

1. Assoc. Prof. Abdul Razak & Dr. Wan Rosli Wan Sulaiman. Laboratory Module.
UTM Johor Bahru. Malaysia. Petroleum Engineering Department.
2. Drilling Engineering Workbook, Baker Hughes INTEQ(1995)

3. Rabia, H. (1985) Oilwell Drilling Engineering Principle and Practice,

Graham & Trotman, London
4. S. Ouyang , J.J.K. Daeman 1992. Sealing Performance of bentonite/crushed rock borehole
plugs.

15
APPLICATION

Water emulsion based mud have been widely used for stuck-pipe prevention. In some
cases, the emulsion stability of this kind of mud systems is not strong enough to meet the
requirements of drilling operations. To overcome this drawback, a solid emulsifier which is
characterized by its very small particle size and the special wetting behaviour, has been
developed and applied to improve the emulsion stability and other performance of these
drilling fluids. The substances used include bentonite, organophilic clay, kaolinite, barite, two
kinds of calcium carbonate with different particle size, two kinds of silica with different
wetting behavior, and the new solid emulsifying agent. Both emulsion stability experiments
and drop coalescence experiments were performed to evaluate the contribution of these
particles to emulsification. Developed oil-in-water emulsion mud stabilized by the solid
emulsifier has become one of the major mud systems used in directional and horizontal well
drilling in this oilfield. In addition to its improvement on emulsion stability, this solid
emulsifier has proven to enhance wellbore lubrication and to be of benefit to the control of
rheological parameters and filtration.

16
APPENDICES

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

The sample calculation for basic mud

Ф600 = 6.0, Ф300 = 5.0

Plastic viscosity, μp = Ф600 – Ф300

= 6.0 – 5.0
= 1.0 cp

Apparent viscosity, μa = Ф600 / 2

= 6.0 / 2
= 3.0 cp

Yield Point, Yb = Ф300 -μp

= 5.0 – 1.0
= 4.0 lb/ 100 ft²

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