Drilling Fluids and Solids Control Core: Learning Objectives

Drilling Fluids and Solids Control Core
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Drilling Fluids and Solids

Control Core
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Introduction
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Learning Objectives
This module covers the following learning objectives:

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 Identify the functions of drilling fluids

 Explain fluid types and their selection criteria
 Identify fluid properties, how they are measured, and additives
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used to control them

 Explain benefits of solids control, solids control equipment
function and system configuration
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©PetroSkills, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 1
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Drilling Fluids
1 Drilling Fluid Functions
2 Drilling Fluid Types, Additives, and Properties
3 Fluid Processing / Solids Control
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Control Core
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Drilling Fluid Functions
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Learning Objectives
This section covers the following learning objectives:

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Drilling Fluid Definition
 Fluids that make it possible to drill oil and gas wells

• Transportation of formation solids to the surface
• Control of subsurface formation pressure
• Preservation of the borehole until protected by casing
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Drilling Fluid Application

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Drilling Fluid Selection
Dominated by Three Factors:
Performance
 Overall success of the
well-construction process
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Economics Risk
 Cost-effective Assessment
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HSE
 Compliant with regulatory
framework
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 With an Element of Risk
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Top 10 Functions for

Oil & Gas Well Drilling Fluids
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#10 – Protect Drill String and Casing from Corrosion
 Some types of drilling fluids

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and drilling fluid additives can

be corrosive to alloy steels
commonly used in Oil Country
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Tubular Goods (OCTG)

 Corrosion can cause failures
in OCTG which may
compromise the integrity of
the wellbore
 This can result in expensive
repairs or premature
abandonment of the wellbore
 Choosing the right fluid type
and additives can minimize
this risk
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#9 – Fluid Density Creates Buoyancy Force
Buoyancy
Force
Buoyancy
Force
Steel
Weight
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Settling
Force
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#8 – Cool and Lubricate Bit and Drill String

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 Friction forces between

the drill string and the
wellbore wall are a
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primary limitation on the

wellbore distance and
speed that a drilling
operation can deliver
 By re-circulating drilling
fluids downhole that
have been cleaned on
the surface, the severity
of frictional forces can
be reduced, enabling
more efficient drilling
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Cooler fluid is pumped
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dow
down the hole
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 The flowing fluid both

cleans and cools the
cutting structure of the
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bit
 Certain types of bits are
susceptible to failure as
a result of frictional
heating when the cutting
structure engages the
formation it is drilling
 Drilling fluid carries
away the heat as it
cleans the bit, thereby
extending its life
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#7 – Minimize Formation Damage
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Pore Spaces
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 In the reservoir rock where pore spaces contain hydrocarbons, it is crucial
to the productivity of the well that the flow channels between the pore
spaces, called permeability, remain as clean as possible
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 In some cases, the invading drilling fluid can chemically react with fluids
and minerals that it encounters in the pore spaces
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 The chemical reaction may change the shape and size of the flow channel
by blocking it with solid material or it may react with the reservoir fluids
and change their flow characteristics, making them harder to produce
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Minimize Formation Damage / Reduce Costly Stimulations

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 Usually, damage of this type extends only a short distance into

the rock from the wellbore wall
 In some cases after drilling is complete, this damage can be
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bypassed with a stimulation treatment
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#6 – Provide a Medium for Wireline logs
←HC  Collecting downhole

data is one of the most
important components
←HC
 Sensors can be
←Water Wet deployed by:
←Water • Running and retrieving
them in the well on cable
(wireline logging)
←hc? • Mounting into specialized
drilling tools in the drill
←hc?
string (Logging While
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Drilling [LWD] )
←hc
 The type/properties of
drilling fluid influences
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←HC
the character/quality of
the data
←Water Wet
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#6 – Provide a Medium for Wireline logs
←HC
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←HC
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←Water Wet
←Water
←hc?
←hc?
←hc
←HC
←Water Wet
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#5 – Transmit Hydraulic Energy to Downhole Tools
 The energy in a
Positive Displacement flowing fluid can
Mud Motor (PDM) power downhole
tools of various
kinds
 Mud is pumped
under pressure
through the PDM
which causes
the central rotor
to rotate which,
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in turn, causes
the bit to rotate
independently
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from drill string
rotation
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#4 – Provide Wellbore Stability
 Chemical reactions between

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the drilling fluid and the rock in

the wellbore wall sometimes
causes the rock to soften and
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fail
 This causes delays on the rig
as drilling often ceases to
avoid making the problem
worse while it simultaneously
increases the likelihood of a
stuck pipe incident
 Mechanical instabilities often
occur because the wellbore
wall is not adequately
supported by the drilling fluid
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#3 – Suspend Solids
 Drilling fluids contain

a variety of solids,
some added at the
surface as part of
the fluid formulation
and some generated
downhole
 Drilling fluid
properties should be
maintained to slow
the settling rate of
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solids so that flow
can be re-initiated
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before sufficient
solids accumulate to
cause these
problems
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#2 – Transport Solids to Surface

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 As just discussed, drilling operations rely on the properties of the drilling

fluid and implementing certain drilling practices, such as adequate annular
velocity and pipe movement, to transport solids to the surface
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#2 – Transport Solids to Surface
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 The key drilling fluid properties that enable efficient solids transport are
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rheology and density
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#1 – Control Subsurface Pressure

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 As drilling progresses deeper, higher

formation pressures are typically
encountered
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 In most cases, the pressure in the

wellbore is maintained at a value higher
than formation pressure, a condition
termed overbalanced
 If the pressure in the wellbore is less
than the formation pressure, a condition
termed underbalanced, formation fluids
will tend to flow into the wellbore
 An uncontrolled flow of this type into the
wellbore is called a kick
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Learning Objectives
This section has covered the following learning objectives:
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Control Core
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Drilling Fluid Types, Additives, Properties
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Learning Objectives

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Classification of Drilling Fluid Types
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Drilling Fluid Composition
Continuous Liquid Phase Discontinuous Liquid Phase
 Body of liquid in which  Discrete volumes

discontinuous phases are separated from each other
suspended and suspended within the
continuous phase
 External phase
 Non-Flowing
 Flowing
 Transported
 Transports
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 Examples:
 Examples:
• Solids
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• Water in water-base mud
• Liquid droplets
• Oil in oil-base mud
• Gas bubbles
• Air in mist
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Hydrated Clay
Drill Solids
Drill Solids
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Gas
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Barite Free Water

Bound Water
Emulsified Liquid Polymer
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Commercial Solids Formation Solids
 Densifiers  Loss of density control

 Viscosifiers  Loss of viscosity control
 Filtration control  Loss of filtration control
 Lubrication  Increased drilling loads
due to friction in the well
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Clay Organophillic Clay
Polymer Primary Viscosifier Amorphous Fiber
Clay / Polymer Liquid Viscosifier
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Why Water Base Mud (WBM) or NAF?
 Cost benefit ratio

 Temperature
 Formation reactivity
 Environmental sensitivity
 It is important to look at the big picture when choosing a fluid
type.
• What problems are expected?
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Advantages (+) and Disadvantages (-) of WBM and NAF
WBM Capability / Issue NAF

(+) Cost per Barrel (‐)
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(+) Environmental Acceptability (‐)

(+) Viscosity and Density Vary with Temperature and Pressure (‐)
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(+) Gas Solubility / Kick Detection (‐)

(+) Higher Fracture Pressure (‐)
(+) Recovery from Lost Circulation (‐)
(‐) Inhibition of Clay Swelling – ↑ROP / ↓Formation Instability (+)
(‐) Filtration Control (+)
(‐) Temperature Tolerant (+)
(‐) Low Friction / Torque and Drag (+)
(‐) Hole Cleaning in High Angle Wells (+)
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Measured Fluid Properties
1 Density
2 Viscosity
3 Filtration
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Liquid and Solid Composition
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5 Electrical Stability
… Plus many others depending upon the fluid

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Density
 Mass per unit volume

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• ppg, pcf, SG, g/cc, kg/m3

 Important to wellbore stability
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• Pressure Control
• Formation Stability
 Measured with:
• Mud Balance
• True Mud Balance
• Hydrometer
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Mud Density Measurement
 In the field, mud density is measured with a mud balance
Beam is graduated
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 Four different units are used for the density: ppg, pcf, g/cm3 or SG,
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and the pressure gradient (psi/1000 ft [kPa/305 m])
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TRU-WATE Mud Balance
 This balance was

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developed to
measure the true
density of cement
slurries which are
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inherently air-cut and

foamy
 It has proven to be
equally as effective in
eliminating the effects
of entrapped air/gas
bubbles in drilling
fluid samples in
determining its true
density
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Temperature and Pressure Effect on Base Oil Density

0.85
[7.1]
0.8
[6.7]
Density (kg/L) [ppg]
0.75
[6.3]
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0.7  Unlike water base mud,
[5.8]
NAFs demonstrate
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noticeable compressibility
0.65
[5.4] 0 100 200 300
IG 400 500 600 700

Pressure (atm)
800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300
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0.85
[7.1]
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0.8
[6.7]
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0.75
[6.3]
0.7  As pressure increases on

[5.8]
this NAF, the mud volume
decreases slightly, so the
density increases
0.65
[5.4] 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300
Pressure (atm)
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0.85
[7.1]
0.8
[6.7]
0.75
[6.3]
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0.7  As temperature increases,
[5.8]
the mud volume increases
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slightly, so the density
decreases
0.65
[5.4] 0 100 200 300
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Pressure (atm)
800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300
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0.85
[7.1]
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0.8
[6.7]
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0.75
[6.3]
0.7  Temperature and pressure

[5.8]
change dynamically,
therefore the density is
constantly varying as well
0.65
[5.4] 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300
Pressure (atm)
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Rheology
Rheology Viscosity
The study of the behavior of The internal resistance to flow
flowing liquids that results from a resistance to
shear within a fluid
 For drilling fluids, a number of measurements are recorded to

characterize its behavior under various conditions of temperature,
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pressure, and flow.
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Rheology
1  Plastic Viscosity (PV)
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Units of centipoise (cP)
2  Yield Point (YP)
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Units of lb/100 ft2 Measured using a

cP x 0.001 = Pa‐s (Pascal‐second) Fann Viscometer
lb/100ft2 x 0.4788 = Pa (Pascal)
3  Gel Strength – 10 sec / 10 min / 30 min
Units of lb/100 ft2
cP x 0.001 = Pa‐s (Pascal‐second)
lb/100ft2 x 0.4788 = Pa (Pascal)
Measured using a
4  Funnel Viscosity
Units of sec / qt Marsh Funnel
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Fann 6 Speed Viscometer
Dial
Bob
Sleeve
Cup
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Viscometer Readings Calculation
 6-Speed Viscometer measures shear stress at RPM values of

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600, 300, 200, 100, 6, and 3

 Based on:
• The dial reading at 600 rpm = 45
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• The dial reading at 300 rpm = 25
Plastic Viscosity Ө600 – Ө300 45 – 25 20 cps 0.02 kg/m s

Yield Point Ө300 – PV 25 – 20 5 lb/100 ft2
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Gel Strength
 When drilling fluids are not in motion, it is typical that they

will develop a higher resistance to shear stress over time
 This requires more force to initiate fluid movement than

the force required to sustain fluid movement
• Gel Strength
 Use the Fann 6 Speed Rheometer
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 Maximum dial deflection to initiate bob rotation after a
period of static mud
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 Typical static periods are 10 sec, 10 min, and 30 min
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Plastic Viscosity (PV)
 PV driven by solids
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in mud
• Concentration
• Particle size
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 More solids and

smaller particle
size means more
surface area to
coat with liquid
 More internal
resistance to flow
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Electrostatic Charges on Clay Platelets
• Clays have (+)

charges on platelet
faces and (-)
charges on platelet
edges
• Face-to-face and
edge-to-edge repel
• Edge-to-face
attracts
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Structures and Behaviors of Clay
 Clay (shale rock) is

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sedimentary
 Layers deposited in
water
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 Water is baked and

squeezed out of
clay structure with
deeper burial
 When exposed to
water, clay draws
water back into
structure
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Yield Point (YP)
 YP driven by
electrostatic
structure
• Particle charges
• Concentration
 More charged
particles means
more structure
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 More internal
resistance to shear
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Low-End Rheology
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 Plastic viscosity (PV) and yield point (YP) are considered high-
end rheology since they are measured in the 600 rpm to 300 rpm
range on the viscometer
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 Low-end rheological values are often used to evaluate hole

cleaning in high angle wellbores
• 6 rpm
• 3 rpm
• Gels
 Common field guideline:
• 6 rpm value ≈ 1.2-1.5 x hole diameter
• So 6 rpm value of 10-13 planned for an 8.5″ [21.6 cm] hole
• Probably not valid for hole sizes > 8.75″ [22.2 cm]
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Marsh Funnel and Viscosity Cup
 The Marsh Funnel is a simple viscosity trending

tool that can be checked quickly and easily many
times each day
 Units of sec/qt [sec/ml]
 Provides easily measured indication of
rheological trends
 A fluid system should never be treated solely on
the basis of the funnel viscosity
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Marsh Funnel and
Viscosity Cup IG
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Temperature Effect on Viscosity
[0.025]
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[kg/m-s]
[0.020]
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[0.015]
Viscosity reduced
[0.010]
by over 75%
[0.005]
[0]
[4] [10] [16] [21] [27] [32] [38] [43] [49] [54] [60] [66] [71]
[˚C]
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Formation and Role of the Filter Cake
 Liquid phase (filtrate)

flows into permeable
formation
 Wellbore pressure higher
than formation pressure
 Solids are filtered out,
forming filter cake
 Filtrate flow stops when
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cake becomes
impermeable
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 Differential pressure on
impermeable cake
provides mechanical
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support for wellbore wall
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Filtrate and Filter Cake

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Filtrate Filter Cake
 The amount of the liquid  Mud solids that form an

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phase of the mud that impermeable barrier on

enters the formation pore the wellbore wall to block
spaces before the filter filtrate flow into a
cake becomes permeable formation
impermeable  Thickness measured in
 Volume measured in cubic 32nds of an inch [0.08 cm]
centimeters
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Field Equipment for Filtrate Measurement

FILTER PRESS
 The press is filled with mud and
pressurized with gas
 The filtrate that passes through the
filter paper is captured in a graduated
cylinder for measurement
 When filtrate flow stops, the filter
paper is removed and filter cake is
With Nitrogen Pressurization also measured
 This test is not intended to accurately
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simulate downhole behavior
 Rather it is a valuable trending tool to
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correlate these test results with
formation behavior downhole
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With CO2 Cartridge Pressurization
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Solids Content
 Measured using a retort

• The retort uses temperature to vaporize a known volume of
fluid and then condenses it into a graduated cylinder
• Measures solid content and oil/water ratios
• Can show how well solids control equipment is working
• Helps determine contamination of the mud or inability to mix
properly
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Retort for Liquid and Solid Content

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Condenser
Graduated
Cylinder
Retort for Liquid and Solid Content
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Water Droplet Emulsified in Oil
Emulsifier Molecule
Polar molecule
Water
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Nonpolar
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chain
Polar end
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Electrical Stability
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 Measurement is applicable only to invert emulsion oil muds

 Indication of the stability of the water-in-oil emulsion
 Oil is an insulator and should not conduct electricity
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 Saline water is a conductor and will easily conduct electricity

 Apply an increasing voltage across a measured
gap in an electrode submerged in the invert
emulsion mud until a current is established
across this gap due to water breaking out of
emulsion
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Emulsion: Water Droplets Dispersed in Oil
Droplets are
well dispersed
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Emulsion: Poorly Sheared Emulsion

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Droplets are not

well dispersed
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Gas as Drilling Fluid
 Air  Nitrogen  Natural Gas
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• Easily available • Expensive • Expensive and
• Contains oxygen • Still has some flammable
– corrosive, oxygen content if
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supports produced from a
downhole fire / membrane unit
explosion if as opposed to
mixed with cryogenic
hydrocarbons
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Learning Objectives

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Control Core
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Fluid Processing / Solids Control
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Learning Objectives

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Purpose of Drilling Fluid Processing Equipment
Remove undesired contaminants by mechanical or

1 chemical means.
Maintain all physical and chemical properties of the

2 drilling fluid within desired ranges.
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Purpose of Drilling Fluid Processing Equipment

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 When drilling fluid is circulated to the surface from the downhole

environment, it may have been exposed to temperatures in
excess of 350˚F [175˚C] for several hours and is often
contaminated with undesirable solids, liquids, and gases
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 Solids may include cuttings from the bit and rock fragments that
have fallen into the hole from unstable formations uphole
 Liquids and gases may flow into the drilling fluid from permeable
formations
 Liquids may include hydrocarbons or water, usually saline
 Gases may include hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide (CO2), or
hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
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Drilling Fluid Application
Remove undesired
1 components from
the fluid
Add desired
2 components to
the fluid
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Mud Gas
Separator
(MGS)
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Drilling Fluid System Configurations – MGS
 Vertical vessel usually

operated just a few PSI
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above atmospheric pressure

 Sized to handle the full flow
rate being used to drill the
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well and simultaneously vent

large quantities of gas
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Drilling Fluid System Configurations
Silt-Sized Sand-Sized
Particles Coarsest
Smallest Particles Solids
Particles
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Drilling Fluid System Configurations – Degasser
Dispersion Plates with Thin  Used to remove gas that may still
Sheets of Gas-Cut Mud be entrained in the drilling fluid
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Mud Flowing Over of Top of Plate  Typically utilized downstream of the

shale shakers
 Normally sized to process the entire
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flow rate from the rig

 Provided in either vacuum or
Gas-Cut atmospheric designs
Mud
Vacuum Pump
Process Flow of DG Degasser

Reference: NOV
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Drilling Fluid System Configurations – Degasser
Gas Out
Degassed Mud to Subsequent Pit
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 One or the other of these
degasser designs is
commonly installed
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equipment on the mud pits
Gas-Cut Mud
Reference: NOV
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Circulating System Equipment – Shale Shaker
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 Drilling fluid flows over moving screen
 Fine screen mesh separates solids
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 G-forces improve liquid separation
 Common for rigs to employ 3 to 6 shale
IG shakers
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Circulating System Equipment – Hydrocyclone
 Swirling fluid creates high-G settling force on solids

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Cleaned fluid
flows up center
Diameter
reduces
Separated solids
exit bottom of cone
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═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Circulating System Equipment – Hydrocyclone
 Swirling fluid creates high-G settling force on solids
 Desander
• Higher processing rate
• Larger diameter cone
• Lower G-forces
T
• Removes coarse solids
 Desilter
H
• Lower processing rate
• Smaller diameter cone
• Higher G-forces
IG • Removes finer solids

R
PY
Circulating System Equipment – Centrifuge
 Centrifuge
O
• Centrifugal force of
spinning bowl creates
high-G settling force
• Removes finer solids
C
• Low processing rate
Spinning, conical
shaped bowl
Drilling fluid
ports
Solids discharge
ports
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Drilling Fluid System Configurations
Hybrid hydrocyclone / shale

shaker unit called a mud cleaner Vibrating screen
T
H
Low equalizers
IG
R
PY
Circulating System Equipment – Mud Cleaner
 Mud Cleaner
O
• Hydrocyclones over a shale

shaker
• Shaker processes hydrocyclone
C
underflow
• Finer mesh screen possible due
to lower solids and fluid loading
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Circulating System Equipment – Agitator
 Agitator
• Mechanical stirring device to
prevent solids settling in pits
• Electric motor-driven
• Paddles near bottom of pit
T
H
IG
R
PY
Circulating System Equipment – Hopper and Chemical Barrel
 Hopper and Chemical Barrel

O
• Dry additives are usually mixed into

the mud through the hopper
• Liquids, especially potentially
C
hazardous chemicals, are often

mixed and added to the mud through
the chemical barrel
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Learning Objectives

T
H
IG
R
PY
O
C
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Learning Objectives
This module has covered the following learning objectives:

T
H
IG
R
PY
PetroAcademyTM Introductory and Multi-Discipline
 Drilling Operations and Well Completions Core

O
 Defining Well Objectives Core

 Bits and Hydraulics Core
 Drill String and BHA Core
C
 Drilling Fluids and Solids Control Core

 Directional Drilling and Trajectory Design Core
 Oilfield Casing Core
 Primary and Remedial Cementing Core
 Onshore Conventional Well Completion Core
 Hydraulic Fracturing Core
 Formation Damage and Matrix Stimulation Core
 Sand Control Core
 Well Intervention Core
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Drilling Fluids and Solids Control Core: Learning Objectives

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Drilling Fluids and Solids Control Core: Learning Objectives

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Drilling Fluids and Solids Control Core

Drilling Fluids and Solids

This module covers the following learning objectives:

 Identify the functions of drilling fluids

used to control them

1 Drilling Fluid Functions

2 Drilling Fluid Types, Additives, and Properties

3 Fluid Processing / Solids Control

Drilling Fluids and Solids

This section covers the following learning objectives:

 Identify the functions of drilling fluids

Drilling Fluid Definition

 Fluids that make it possible to drill oil and gas wells

Drilling Fluid Application

Drilling Fluid Selection

Dominated by Three Factors:

Top 10 Functions for

#10 – Protect Drill String and Casing from Corrosion

 Some types of drilling fluids

and drilling fluid additives can

Tubular Goods (OCTG)

#9 – Fluid Density Creates Buoyancy Force

#8 – Cool and Lubricate Bit and Drill String

 Friction forces between

primary limitation on the

#8 – Cool and Lubricate Bit and Drill String

#8 – Cool and Lubricate Bit and Drill String

 The flowing fluid both

#7 – Minimize Formation Damage

#7 – Minimize Formation Damage

#7 – Minimize Formation Damage

Minimize Formation Damage / Reduce Costly Stimulations

 Usually, damage of this type extends only a short distance into

bypassed with a stimulation treatment

#6 – Provide a Medium for Wireline logs

←HC  Collecting downhole

#6 – Provide a Medium for Wireline logs

#5 – Transmit Hydraulic Energy to Downhole Tools

#4 – Provide Wellbore Stability

 Chemical reactions between

the drilling fluid and the rock in

 Drilling fluids contain

#2 – Transport Solids to Surface

 As just discussed, drilling operations rely on the properties of the drilling

#2 – Transport Solids to Surface

#1 – Control Subsurface Pressure

 As drilling progresses deeper, higher

 In most cases, the pressure in the

This section has covered the following learning objectives:

 Identify the functions of drilling fluids

Drilling Fluids and Solids

This section covers the following learning objectives:

 Explain fluid types and their selection criteria

used to control them

Classification of Drilling Fluid Types

Classification of Drilling Fluid Types

Drilling Fluid Composition

Continuous Liquid Phase Discontinuous Liquid Phase

 Body of liquid in which  Discrete volumes

Drilling Fluid Composition

Barite Free Water

Drilling Fluid Composition

Commercial Solids Formation Solids