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.2 [Drilling fluid properties] Experiment conducted on [03 December 2012]

Module title: EUB_4_005 Design and Practise 2 Occurrence Number: [9]
Course: [BEng (Hons) Petroleum Engine...

Technical Report · December 2012

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1.2 [Drilling fluid properties]
Experiment conducted on [03 December 2012]

Module title: EUB_4_005 Design and Practise 2

Occurrence Number: [9]
Course: [BEng (Hons) Petroleum Engineering]
Prepared for: Dr Ahmed Al-Sadday

Prepared by: [Arcanjo Malo Wacunzo]

Student Number: [3021399]

[December/2012]

London South Bank University

Department of Urban Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Science and the Built Environment
103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA
www.lsbu.ac.uk
 December 14, 2012 [DRILLING FLUID PROPERTIES]

CONTENTS

Contents .................................................................................................................. 2
List of Appendices ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Summary ................................................................................................................. 3

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 4

AIMS ..................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

BACKGROUND ................................................................................................ 5

CHAPTER 2 APPARATUS AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE ................. 6

INSTRUMENTS ............................................................................................. 7
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE ..................................................................... 8-11

CHAPTER 3 CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS....................................12-13

CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION .....................................14-15

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATIONS .......................16-17

NOMENCLATURE ……………………………………………………………………………18

References ........................................................................................................... 19

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1.1 RESULTS OBTAINED ............................................................... 8,9,10

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1 Shearometer for Gel ....................................................................... 5

FIGURE 2 SPEED REHOMETER …………………………………………………………………………………….5
FIGURE 3 SPEED SELECTION ………………………………………………………………………………………5
FIGURE 4 MARSH FUNNEL ……………………………………………………………………………………………6
FIGURE 5 BAROID MUD BALANCE …………………………………………………………………………………6
Figure 6 Ph DISPENSORS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………6

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SUMMARY

The experiment was undertaken with the purpose of measure the properties of the fluids.
In addition to those objectives was included the aim of understand the different
behaviour of the mud.

In general, to proceed with the experiment in order to achieve the goals mentioned, a
range of instruments were selected such Baroid mud density, mash funnel and liter cup,
Viscometer, shearometer variable spead Rheometer and the PH dispensers with the ph
meters. All these materials were used in order to understand the reasons why the mud
varies and to know with precision the different properties that the fluids have.

On the whole, at this experiment were used two substances which are the bentonaite and
barite and study the effect of them on the density and consequently their application on
the formation.

In general, after the experiment was seen how properties such as viscosity, density,
shear, yield point and pH are very important to understand the behaviour of the fluids in
the formation and how to be able to control them in order to obtain the economics
results that are aimed.

The key to making the rotary drilling system work is the ability to circulate a fluid
continuously down through the drill pipe, out through the bit nozzles and back to the
surface.
Completely drilling fluids, especially drilling mud, can have a wide range of chemical and
physical properties. These properties are specifically designed for drilling conditions and
the special problems that must be handled in drilling a well.

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CHAPTER 1 -- INTRODUCTION

The main objective for the experiment was to be familiar with the instruments used to
measure the properties of the fluids and the most important to understand the properties
of these fluids. At this experiment were measured some of the most important properties
such as density, viscosity and pH.
A drilling fluid is any fluid which is dispersed through a well in order to remove
cuttings from a wellbore.

Drilling Fluids
A drilling fluid is any fluid which is circulated through a well in order to remove
cuttings from a wellbore. This section will discuss fluids which have water or oil as
their continuous phase. Air, mist and foam, which can be used as drilling fluids, will not
be discussed at this time.
A drilling fluid must fulfil many functions in order for a well to be drilled successfully,
safely, and economically. The most significant purposes are:
 Remove drilled cuttings from under the bit
 Carry those cuttings out of the hole
 Suspend cuttings in the fluid when circulation is stopped
 Release cuttings when processed by surface equipment
 Allow cuttings to settle out at the surface
 Provide enough hydrostatic pressure to balance formation pore pressures
 Prevent the bore hole from collapsing or caving in
 Protect producing formations from damage which could impair production
 Clean, cool, and lubricate the drill bit
 Control formation pressure

In addition to it, the drilling fluids conduct hydraulic energy to tools and bit, they stop
reservoir fluids entering the borehole, minimize drilling damage to the reservoir, seal
permeable formations, control corrosion, suspend the cuttings to prevent them from
falling back down the hole when pumping stops.

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1.2 - Detailed functions of the drilling fluids.

 1. Cooling and lubrication - By way of the bit drills into the rock
formation, the friction produced by the rotating bit against the rock
generate heat. The heat is dissipated by the circulating drilling fluid.
The fluid also lubricates the bit.
 2. Cuttings removal - A significant purpose of the drilling fluid is to
carry rock cuttings removed by the bit to the surface. The drilling flows
through treating equipment where the cuttings are removed and the clean
fluid is again pumped down through the drill pipe string.
 3. Suspend cuttings - There are times once circulation has to be stopped.
The drilling fluid must have those gelling characteristics that will prevent
drill cuttings from settling down at the bit. This may cause the drill pipe
to be stuck.
 Pressure control. The drilling mud can be the first line of defense
against a blowout or loss of well control caused by formation pressures.

The hydrostatic head produced by the mud in psi is = 0.052 x G x H

Where G = density of mud in ppg
H = depth of the hole in feet.

This hydrostatic head will counter the formation pressure in order to avoid a
blowout while drilling.

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CHAPTER 2 –2.1 APPARATUS AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

In this experiment were used a range of instruments with an extreme importance

Concerning to the fluids within the industry. These instruments are mentioned as:

.
Figure 1: Shearometer for Gel or shear- strength measurement

Figure 2: Variable Speed Rheometer.

Figure 3: Rheometer top part, Speed selection.

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This equipment was used to measure the viscosity it’s a very popular method of measuring the viscosity
used by most engineering and it’s used with a watch to control the flow with the time.

Figure 4: Marsh Funnel and One-litre cup for measuring Marsh viscosity. The Marsh
Funnel is a simple device for indicating viscosity on a routine basis. When used with a
measuring cup the funnel gives an empirical value for the consistency of a fluid. The
number obtained depends partly on the effective viscosity at the rate of shear prevailing in
the orifice, and partly on the rate of gelation.

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Figure 5: Baroid Mud balance.

Figure 6: pH Dispensers and pH meter.

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2.2 – EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE.

The techniques undertaken in this experiment were done according to the different
properties of drilling mud that were studied in this experiment. The various
experimental procedures are discussed below for each property considered in this
experiment:

To measure the density was used the equipment shown on the figure 5 after it
was calibrated.
 First, the instrument was levelled;
 Then the fill was cleaned and the dry cup was tested with mud then was
putted and rotated until was seated, was ensured that the mud was
expelled through the hole in the cap in order to free the trapped gas,
 The mud was swiped outside the cup and the beam was placed to support
the balance that because the beam is horizontal when the bubble is on the
centre line,
 After that the read was taken at the side of the rider towards the knife
edge,

To measure the Viscosity (Mud rheology) was used the equipment in figure 4
the Marsh funnel.
 Firstly, the funnel and the vessel were prepared and cleaned while the
mud was been prepared,
 Then, the orifice was covered with the fingers and forward the pour mud
sample was filled into the upright funnel until the level on the bottom
screen was reached,
 When the mud was inside the funnel totally, very quick the fingers were
removed to measure the time for the mud to fill the vessel which was
receiving the mud,
 Then the results were recorded,

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Viscosity measurement using direct-indicating viscometer :

Direct-indicating viscometers are rotational-type instruments powered by

means of an electronic motor. This method was used to determine the
plastic viscosity (PV), the Yield point (YP) and the Gel Strength.
These parameters were measured using the speed rheometer in the
following way:

The plastic Viscosity:

 First, the mud sample was placed at the container and the rotor
sleeve and immersed until the line scribed,
 The sleeve rotating at 600 rpm and after few seconds the reading
was taken at the steady value. That was the reading for 600 rpm,
 Then to take the reading for 300 rpm was waited until the value
became steady and the reading was taken,
 Those readings were based on the low and high speed from 600
rpm, 300 rpm, 200 rpm, 100 rpm, 6 rpm and 3rpm.

The yield point:

 To calculate the yield point, the plastic viscosity was subtracted
from the dial readings of the plastic viscosity Hence, Yield point
is expressed as: (Dial reading for 300 – Plastic Viscosity)

Apparent Viscosity:

 This was obtained by calculating using the division of the

600rpm value by 2.

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Gel-strength:

1) This was measured by using the direct-indicating viscometer and also using a
shearometer, the mud sample was placed in position as in the procedure for
plastic viscosity;

2) Then, stirred at high speed for 10 seconds and then allowed to stand undisturbed
for 10 seconds. Then the hand wheel was slowly and steadily turned to produce
a positive dial reading.

3) The maximum reading was then taken as the initial gel strength at 3rpm; finally,
the mud was retired at high speed for 10 seconds and allowed to stand
undisturbed for 10 minutes.

Observation: The dial readings of 200 rpm, 100 rpm, 6 rpm and 3 rpm that were taken
were not used when evaluating the mud rheology. They were not just taken for granted
per say but it was because according to the API, even with just two points, the
rheological behaviour of the mud can be predicted but to get a bigger picture of how the
mud will behave (respond to shear at different shear rate), since most drilling fluids are
non-Newtonian (ratio of shear stress to shear rate is not constant) it is therefore pertinent
to include them. The different dial speeds in this case represents the rate of shear.

Hydrogen Ion Concentration (pH) measurement:

For this measurement, a pH paper was used, the paper was dipped into the mud to be
tested and then the colour changes was observed and then matched with its
corresponding value.

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CHAPTER 3 -- CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS

Table 1: Results of the mud parameters obtained at the experiment.

Mud parameters Mud Compositions

Mud Parameters Bentonite(150g) + Water(2L) Bentonite(150g) +

Water(2L) + Barite
(150g)
Mud Weight(ppg) 8.7 = 1.040g/cm3 9.2 = 1.1g/cm3

Marsh 37 37
Viscosity(seconds)

Plastic Viscosity 6 7
(cp)

Apparent Viscosity 11 13.5

Yield Point 10 13
2
(lb/100ft )

Gel Strength 10s =8 10sec=17

2
(lb/100ft ) 10min=18 10min=32

Gel Strength, 10sec=4.7 10sec=8.2

Shearometer 10min=5.7 10min=5.3
2
(lb/100ft )
pH 8.5 8.5

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Table 2: Experimental results showing density all the dial readings taken using variable
speed rheometer.

Dial speed ( rpm ) Dial Reading ( cp )

ɸ600 27

ɸ 300 20

ɸ 200 17

ɸ 100 14

ɸ6 12

ɸ3 9

Calculus

 Yield Point :

Yp = ɸ300 –Pv = 16 -6 =10 1b/100ft2

 Plastic Viscosity :
PV = Reading for ɸ 600 – reading for ɸ 300
Pv = 27 cp – 20 cp = 7 cp

 Apparent Viscosity :

Av =

Av = = 11

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CHAPTER 4 -- ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

After the experiment taken place the results were analysed and was seen the range of
questions answered related to the fluid properties which was the aim of the experiment.
Many drilling problems are due to conditions or situations that occur after drilling
begins and for which the drilling fluid was not designed. Some of these problems can be
solved by adding materials to the drilling fluid to adjust its properties.

 The reason to measure mud density and why it varies?

It is very important to measure the mud weight and vary it accordingly to ensure
adequate hydrostatic head or pressure to prevent the influx of formation, but not too
high to cause loss of circulation or affect the drilling rate and damage the formation.
Throughout drilling operations, the pressure at the bottom of the column of drilling mud
must balance or be considerably higher than the pressure exerted by the fluids in the
porous formation to stop fluids entering the wellbore and causing a kick or in the
extreme case a blowout.
Pt = h ρ g (1) to maintain pressure control, Pt = h ρ g ≥ Pr.
Pr is the formation pore and from the above, it shows that the density of the mud must
be measured so as to help maintain pressure control.

The procedure of varying the weight of the drilling mud is recognized as mud
balancing. This could be both by increasing it or diminishing it. One way of doing this
is by adding a heavy solid known as weighting agent to the mud. The commonest
weighting agent is barite which was used. Because of its high density (35.82 ppg),
barite can increase the density of drilling mud to as much as about 25 ppg (2500
kg/m3). This explains why the parameters of the mud changed as seen in table 1 when
barite was added to the mud from 8.7 to 9.2.

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 Reasons why the mud viscosity was measured and how to maintain it.

The viscosity of the mud had to be measured because this rheological parameter helps to
determine how drilling fluids will flow under a variety of different conditions.
Furthermore, Viscosity can be in the form of plastic or apparent viscosity. The former
is a measure of the internal resistance to fluid flow resulting from interaction of solids in
a drilling mud, while the latter is the viscosity of the drilling mud measured at a given
shear rate at a fixed temperature.
The Yield point is influenced by the concentration of solids, their electrical charge, and
other factors. If not at the proper value, it can also reduce drilling efficiency by cutting
penetration rate, increasing circulating pressure, and posing the danger of lost
circulation.
To maintain the viscosity can be used a process that consists in addition of water,
phosphates or lignite. This act by thinning the drilling mud thereby keeping the mud
viscosity at a level required for the drilling operation. In a situation where water is used,
the quantity of water to barite should not exceed 1gallon of water per 100bl of barite.
 How to Increase or decrease the yield point?
The yield point of a mud can be reduced by adding deflocculant to a clay-based mud
and increased by adding freshly dispersed clay or a flocculant.

 Importance of the pH value and how to increase it for alkaline?

The pH is a very important parameter and it can be acid or alkaline depending on our
objectives. It helps to prevent the corrosion of the downhole materials.
The reason for this is that the tools and tubular used in drilling process, casing and
completing a well can be subjected to corrosion by the action of the drilling mud left in
the annulus after cementation.
What makes the pH decrease below 7 the formation of H2S it forms acid and damages
the equipment, however, to keep the value alkaline between 9 and 10 it is recommended
to used hydroxyl and other hydroxide substances because under high temperature they
are very active and they react against the clay.

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CHAPTER 5 - CONCLUSION

To conclude, the experiment occurred at the predicted conditions. It is important to refer

some of the most important aspects such as:
The parameters of the mud altered due to a weighting agent which was the barite. These
weighting agents are high specific gravity materials or substances that are used to
change the parameters and or rheology of drilling muds for example density.

The difference between the yield point and the gel strength measurements is that gel
strength is time dependent. This is usually done in 10 seconds and 10 minutes range.
The following are some of the reasons why gel strength of drilling mud should be
measured and maintained in the favourable range.

Overall, these parameters are extremely relevant in dealing with fluids the constant
maintenance and control of them can decrease the range of problems and prevent
accidents like blowouts and formation damages.

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5.2 - Recommendation

This aspect which is usually ignored by some operators is very important, whenever
using the instrument to measure the density of more than one fluid it is recommended to
calibrate it and wash per each time it is used because these will influence the results.
This process should be done also for the viscosity and the other parameters.
In addition, when measuring Gel strength, the mud must be agitated for few minutes in
order to prevent precipitation.

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NOMENCLATURE

 p plastic viscosity, cp
 aF = apparent viscosity, cp
 Yb = Bingham yield point, lb/100 ft2
 = Torque readings from instrument dial at 600 and 300 rpm.
 Hp = hydrostatic pressure.
 Dv = vertical depth.
 Fl = flowline depth.
 MD = fluid density.
 g = gravitational constant
 Ph = potential Hydrogen

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REFERENCES

1) HTTP://WWW.MID-
CONTINENTS.COM/CATEGORY/EQUIPMENT-
SPARES/FANN-INSTRUMENTS [accessed on 06.12.12]

2) HTTP://WWW.SERENEENERGY.ORG/DRILLING-FLUID-
PROPERTIES.PHP [accessed on 09.12.12]

3) Azzar, J. J and Lummus, J. L. (1975) The Effect of Drilling Fluid pH

on Drill Pipe Corrosion Fatigue Performance: Paper presented at
the SPE fall meeting (No. 5516-MS). [Online]

4) HTTP://HUBCAP.CLEMSON.EDU/~BLPPRT/ACID5.HTML
[accessed on 10.12.12]

5) HTTP://WWW.URI.EDU/CE/WQ/WW/PUBLICATIONS/P
H&ALKALINITY.PDF [accessed on 12.12.12]

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