06-07-2021

45 Days Long Virtual Internship on Oil & Gas Industrial Practices

Agenda: Drilling Fluids

DAY
9

Functions of Drilling Fluid

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While Drilling Through the Formations

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Prevent Formation Fluids Flowing into the Wellbore

 The hydrostatic pressure exerted by the mud column

must be high enough to prevent an influx of formation
fluids into the wellbore. However, the pressure in the
wellbore must not be too high or it may cause the

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formation to fracture and this will result in the loss of
Virtual expensive mud into the formation.
Internship on
Oil & Gas  The flow of mud into the formation whilst drilling is
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known as lost circulation. This is because a certain
proportion of the mud is not returning to surface but
flowing into the formation.

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Prevent Formation Fluids Flowing into the Wellbore

 The pressure in the wellbore will be equal to:

P = ρ x g x h = 0.052 x MW x TVD

 Where,

45 Days Long P = hydrostatic pressure (psi)

Virtual
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 To obtain the following Units of density multiply the Units in the first column by:

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Cool and Lubricate the Bit

 The rock cutting process will, in particular with PDC bits, generate
a great deal of heat at the bit. Unless the bit is cooled, it will
overheat and quickly wear out.

 The circulation of the drilling fluid will cool the bit down and help
45 Days Long lubricate the cutting process.
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Maintain Wellbore Stability

 Maintaining a stable wellbore is of primary
importance during drilling and production of oil and
gas wells.

 The shape and direction of the hole must be

controlled during drilling, and hole collapse and solid
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particle influx must be prevented during production.
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Maintain Wellbore Stability

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Field Tests – Mud Density/Mud Weight

 The density of the drilling mud can be determined with the help of a mud balance, where the cup of the balance
is completely filled with a sample of the mud and the lid placed firmly on top (some mud should escape through
the hole in the lid).

 The balance arm is placed on the base and the rider adjusted until the arm is level. The density can be read
directly off the graduated scale at the left-hand side of the rider.
45 Days Long
Virtual  Mud densities are usually reported to the nearest 0.1 ppg (lbs per gallon). Other units in common use are lbs/ft3,
Internship on psi/ft, psi/1000ft, kg/l and specific gravity (S.G.).
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Field Tests – Mud Density/Mud Weight

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wNEN6SOa7M

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Field Tests – Viscosity (Marsh Funnel Viscometer)

 The Marsh Funnel is used to make a very quick test

of the viscosity of the drilling mud.

 However, this device only gives an indication of

changes in viscosity and cannot be used to quantify
45 Days Long the rheological properties of the mud.
Virtual
Internship on  The standard funnel is 12" long, has a 6" diameter at
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the top and a 2" long, 3 /16" diameter tube at the
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the time taken for one quart (946 ml) to flow out
into a measuring cup is recorded.

 Fresh water at 75°F has a funnel viscosity of 26

sec/quart.
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Field Tests – Viscosity (Rotational viscometer)

 The multi-rate rotational viscometer is used to quantify the rheological properties of the drilling mud. The
assessment is made by shearing a sample of the mud, at a series of prescribed rates and measuring the shear stress
on the fluid at these different rates.

 The essential elements of the device are a plumb bob attached to a torsion spring and deflection gauge and a
cylinder which can be rotated at a range of rotary speeds.
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 The plumb bob is suspended inside the
Virtual
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Oil & Gas of the drilling mud. When the outer cylinder is
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plumb bob is sheared.

 The deflection of the plumb bob is a measure

of the viscosity of the drilling fluid at that
particular shear rate.

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API Filter Press

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API Filter Press

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HP API Filter Press

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Common Additives used in WBM and OBM

1. Weighting Materials

2. Viscosifiers

3. Filtration Control Materials

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4. Rheology Control Materials
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5. Alkalinity and pH Control Materials
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7. Lubricating Materials

8. Shale Stabilizing Materials

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Mud Tank

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Mud Pumps
 Positive displacement type pumps are used (reciprocating pistons) to deliver the high volumes and high
pressures required to circulate mud through the drillstring and up the annulus.

 The discharge line from the mud pumps is connected to the standpipe – a steel pipe mounted vertically
on one leg of the derrick. A flexible rubber hose (kelly hose) connects the top of the standpipe to the
swivel via the gooseneck.
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Mud Circulation

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KovWXkppGOQ

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qqVLHOot2A

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRSIDDTSTR4

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