Functions and Tests

I. General

The drilling fluid is a major factor in the success of the drilling program and as
such, deserves careful study. Discussion in this Manual, however, is limited to general
features. A detailed treatment from the standpoint of field application is provided in
the book: "Principles of Drilling Mud Control," published by the University of Texas
in cooperation with the IADC. The suppliers of mud materials offer a wide range of
publications. Numerous articles on drilling fluids are to be found in the technical
literature of the oil industry.

II. Functions

The principal functions of the drilling fluid are:

To remove the cuttings from the bottom of the hole and carry them to the
surface.
To transmit hydraulic horsepower to the drill bit.
To cool and lubricate the drill string and bit.
To exert sufficient hydrostatic pressure to control fluids encountered in
formations penetrated.
To minimize settling of cuttings and weight material in suspension when
circulation is temporarily stopped. The mud, however, should have
properties which allow the cuttings to settle in the surface system.
To support and protect the walls of the hole.
To reduce to a minimum any harm to the formations penetrated.
To insure maximum information about the formations penetrated.
The performance of these functions depends upon various properties of the mud
and some compromises are often necessary. Mud performance is affected by the
drilling equipment in use. The properties of the mud should he adjusted to the
hydraulics available for the drilling problem to be solved. Rate of penetration is
affected by the density of the mud and nature of the suspended solids, Regular and
complete tests are essential to the control of mud properties. The interpretation of the
results of these tests in terms of performance in the hole is vital to the success of the
drilling program.

Trouble Shooting 2
 Trouble Shooting

I. Problems
There are four mechanical or physical properties to control in the treatment of
drilling mud: (1) density, (2) viscosity, (3) gel strength, (4) filtration.
A. Density (or weight)
The density or weight of a drilling mud is easily controlled by additions of
barite to increase weight, or by water or oil to decrease weight. See Tables 03-4 and
04-4 to determine weight reduction by oil or water. So 4-l-E is used to determine
barite required to raise density from one weight to another and the resulting volume
increase.
B. Viscosity and Gel Strength
The control of viscosity and gel strength depends on the solids and the chemical
environment. The primary concern lithe amount and type of tow-gravity solids
contained in the mud. Water can be expected to decrease the plastic viscosity. The
addition of a suitable chemical will decrease the yield point. When solids are in the
correct range, most viscosity and gel strength problems can be corrected by proper
chemical treatment.
C. Filtration
An API filtration test is a relative measure of performance. It does not
necessarily follow that down-hole filtration is the same. Only high-pressure, high-
temperature tests can give an indication of down-hole filtration. The condition of the
mud, and particularly the type of solids present in the mud, greatly influence filtration.

Trouble Shooting 3
 II. Specific Problems
Problem Symptoms
A. Contamination
High Drilled Solids High viscosity and gel
strength. Slow drilling rate
reduced temperature stability.
Mud does not respond to
chemical treatment.
Problem Symptoms
Abrasion Premature bit failure and
excessive wear of swabs,
liners, and valve seats.
Cement High viscosity, high gel
strengths, increase in pH,
water loss and filtration
calcium.
Gypsum or Anhydrite High viscosity, high flat gel
strengths, and increase water
loss, filtrate calcium and
sulfate.
Salt Rock High viscosity and high gel
strengths; increase in water
loss and salt content. Grainy
appearance to mud.
Salt Water Same as salt-rock except
increase in pit volume and a
reduction in mud weight.
Trouble Shooting
Solution
Reduce drilled solids by
water dilution, use of
selective flocculants and
mechanical separation.
Solution
Use a desander to hold sand
content to a minimum.
Pretreat if possible, or for
low concentration remove
chemically with sodium
bicarbonate, add
lignosulfonate solidus lignite
to reduce viscosity gel
strengths.
Pretreat for small quantities
or remove chemically with
soda ash. For drilling
massive anhydrite change to
mud which will tolerate
anhydrite.
Adjust mud properties with
lime and organic thinners and
water loss control agents, or
convert to saturated salt
system.
Raise weight to overcome
salt water flow. Adjust mud
properties with chemicals
and water loss control agents.
If only stringers are
encountered dilute with
water.
4
B. Abaormal Pressure
Lost Circulation
Problem
Formation Gas or Water
Influx
Gas cutting. Usually from
gas bearing shale and or
other high pressure, low
volume formation.
Differential sticking of drill
pipe
Trouble Shooting
Low Pressure
Partial to complete loss of
returns.
Symptoms
High Pressure
Increased pit volume
possibly preceded or
accompanied by gas or salt
water cut mud- Mud
continues to flow when
pumps are shut off.
Normally shows up as gas-
cut mud after trips but
dissipates rapidly. If
encountered while drilling,
gas cutting or kicking will
occur in heads. Possible
change in chloride content.
Normally occurs when drill
pipe is not in motion. Cause
in excessive pressure
differential between well
bore and porous formation.
Full or partial circulation
while stuck. Probably high
fluid loss and high solids
content mud,
Pull up in casing and wait for
fracture to close. Adjust flow
properties to afford mmimum
flow resistance and
equivalent circulating
density. Reduce mud weight,
if possiHe. For low weight
muds add flake or fibrous
materials to avoid increasing
mud weight from material
additions. In high weight
muds, add fine flake or
granular lost circulation
material for partial loss of
returns.
Solution
Shut in well. Record drill
pipe and casing pressure.
Circulate out gas or water
influx and separate at
surface. Using data obtained
calculate necessary mud
weight, mix mud and
circulate to kill well.
Raise weight only as
necessary. Keep gel strengths
as low as possible. Continue
to circulate and avoid use of
blowout preventers if
possible. Use degasser as
necessary to clear gas from
mud.
if possibte reduce mud
weight. Spot theset or crude
oil treated with surfactants.
For prevention measure fluid
loss at static bottom hole
temperature and 500 psi
differential pressure and use
minimum safe mud weight.
5
C. Corrosion
General, salt muds, etc. Internal and external pitting,
more pronounced internally
in uncoated pipe.
Aerated Mud Severe pitting of drill pipe
more pronounced internally.
Sulfide Stress Corrosion Severe brittle, flat fractures
of susceptible materials,
either tool joints and/or pipe.
Problem Symptoms
Bit Balling Little, or no progress in
footage. Balled up bit and
drill string. Swabbing on
trips and connections. Bits
generally come out in good
condition, showing little
wear, but heavily packed
with cuttings.
Bentonitic Swelling Increase in viscosity, gel
strength and solids content.
Tight places in hole slow
drilling. Mud difficult to
control.
Running, sloughing, caving Hole fill-up after trip.
shales Excessive cuttings over
shaker. Tight connections.
Plastic salt Tight connections. Even with
saturated or oil based mud
pipe may become stuck.
E. Mud Characteristics
Foam, surface Foam on surface of mud pits.
Trouble Shooting
Add corrosion inhibitors. Use
oxygen scavengers.
Extremely difficult to
control. Use corrosion
inhibitors and oxygen
scavengers.
Maintain sufficient weight to
avoid influx of formation
fluids. Add sulfide
scavengers.
Solution
Add lubricants, surfactants,
etc. or oil slowly at suction.
Maintain low viscosity and
gel strength to keep hole
clean. Utilize available
horsepower for most efficient
hydraulics. Do not emulsify
for best results.
Keep viscosity and gel
strength low to prevent
swabbing. Use an emulsion
mud to keep bit and drill
string clean. Use an
inhibitive mud. Raise mud
weight to hold bore hole
open.
Raise weight, increase
viscosity, decrease fluid loss,
maintain mud in laminar
flow.
Increase mud weight. Ream
through tight spots. If stuck,
spot fresh water, then
increase mud weight.
Not serious unless mud
6
 (not that while converting
mud).
Foam, internal Reduction in mud weight,
increased viscosity, fluffy
appearance. Pumps run rough
or hammer and pump
pressure falls off.
High fluid loss Normal viscosity but high
fluid loss test.
High fluid loss Filter cake spongy, soft and
too thick. There is sufficient
fluid loss agent in system.
weight reduced by internal
foam. Keep guns submerged.
The fine spray of water or oil
to break foam. Use defoamer
if foam persists. In salt or
low solids mud, Bentonite
will be helpful.
Eliminate all mechanical
causes of foam. Maintain low
viscosity and gel strength.
Use defoamers if necessary.
Add fluid loss agent through
hopper.
Add bentonite to system.
(Run Methylene Blue test).

Problem Symptoms Solution

High viscosity High funnel viscosity, plastic Run mechanical solids

High viscosity
Increase of surface mud
weight
Unstable Mud
F. Slow Drilling Rate
See Bit balling under formation and High drill solids under contamination.
G. High Temperature
High Temperature Gelation
viscosity, yield point, gets
and solids, Sometimes
normal gel and/or solids.
High funnel viscosity, yield
point and gels and normal
plastic viscosity and solids.
High viscosity.
Barite settles out.
Difficult to break circulation.
Inability to run tools to
bottom. High viscosity and
gel strengths of mud off
bottom. Decrease in
alkalinity, increased water
removal equipment to discard
drill solids and fine barite
particles. Water dilution also
required. Thinner may be
used later.
Add dispersant. Run
mechanical solids removal
equipment. Check mud for
contaminants.
Run mechanical solids
removal equipment and add
water.
Add viscosifier to increase
viscosity.
Reduce solids concentration
by water dilution and add
bentonite. Increase thinner
concentration. To any mud,
spot a slurry of mud treated
with 1-2 lb/bbl sodium

Trouble Shooting 7
 loss and increase in soluble
calcium.
H. Bearing Failure
Locked Cones Cones locked or bearings
loose with teeth structure still
on cones.
chromate in that portion of
hole subjected to high
temperature.
Reduce drilled solids by
water dilution, mechanical
separation and use selective
flocculants. Use sealed-
bearing bits.

Trouble Shooting 8