Bit balling recommendations

 
Good water dilution will contribute to minimize the bit balling issue. Reactive
clays need water to disperse and if they do not get enough water then they will
be in plastic form and will stick to steel. For large and shallow holes, dilution rates
from 15 - 20 bbls/hrs are recommended and sometimes higher depending on
ROP, Flow Rate and type of formation.
 
Maintain continuous stream of water by the shakers starting with 15 bbl/hr and
adjust as needed, rheology can be maintained with high rheology premix.
Adding 0.5 to 1.0 ppb drilling detergent can help reduce the balling tendency.
Pretreat with defoamer and add defoamer at the shakers to minimize foaming.
Also you can treat the system with Anti-Balling products such as PENETREX at 1-
3% vol/vol
 
Maintain enough rheology as per program and using the highest pump rate
possible will help keep the bit face and BHA clean and prevent accumulation of
cuttings that may get packed around the bit and BHA
 
In case of Bit balling occurring:
 
Option 1: Pump Condet Pill (Detergent pill). Treatment is 5 gal Condet/40 bbls
Option 2: Pump Caustic Soda Pill. Treatment is 10 ppb Caustic soda in drill water,
extra care and caution must be taken and utilization of all PPE is Mandatory.
Option 3: Pump 50 bbls (mud from system) + 40 ppb Nut Plug. Spot on BTM and
rotate as fast as possible, tagging BTM with very low WOB may help clear the bit
Option 4: Pump 50 bls (mud from system) Polyglycol or Lube 167 pill at
concentration 1-4% v/v. you can also add nut plug in this pill and apply as in
Option 3.
 

 
Best regards
 
Ismaeel Musa
Drilling Fluids Specialist
Drilling Technical Department
Dhahran
Office: +966( 0)-3-862-8523
mobile (W): 050-380-8791
Mobile: +966-(0)-50-305-5263
e-mail: ismaeel.musa@aramco.com