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Well Cutting Analysis

• Small pieces of rock after drilling

• Indicator of the lithology
Application
• Show evaluation
• Reservoir and Lithological description
• Well Correlation
• Verification of well log response
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Sample Interval
Depends upon drilling rate and information needed for lithological classification
Sampling Location
From desander/desilter, Possum Belly, Shale Shaker
Sample lag
Sample Preparation
Wet cut Sample
Analysis on unwashed sample (Gas Blender analysis)
Dry Cut Sample
Samples are washed (to remove mud film from surface) and sieved.
In case of swelling clays; washing by formation water or 2% KCL
Basic Sample analysis
A split of the washed and sieved cuttings is examined under a binocular microscope
Rock type and lithological Identification, Color, Hardness, grain size, grain
shape, sorting, luster, cementation of the matrix, sedimentary structures,
porosity, hydrocarbon shows, odor, fluorescence, gas traces
Chapter No. 2
Drilling Fluids
Drilling Fluids

Function of drilling muds

• Cleaning (bit) and transportation (cuttings)
• Provision of hydrostatic pressure
• Opening of the wellbore (Installation of steel casing)
• Cooling and lubrication of the bit

Factors affecting type of mud

• Type of formation
• Range of temperature, strength, permeability and pore pressure of formation
• Formation evaluation procedure
• Water quality available
• Ecological and environmental consideration
Composition Drilling Fluids
Consists of solids, liquids, chemicals.

Active Solids; Solid react with the water/oil and dissolve chemicals (hydrated clays)

Inactive Solids; Solids which don’t react with water and chemicals
Diagnostic Tests
Whether the drilling mud is performing its function property
Mud balance
Calibration ; Fresh water with density of 8.33 lbm/gal
Marsh funnel
Calibration; Fresh water with viscosity of 26 s/qt at 70oF
Rotational viscometer
Apparent viscosity

Plastic Viscosity

Yield Point
Gel strength
pH meter
Filter press (As well as high pressure and high temperature filter press)
Rate at which permeable formation are sealed by the deposition of a mudcake

Water Loss
Spurt Water Loss; Before stabilization of porosity
and permeability of mud cake
Standard Water Loss; Water loss after 30 mins

Titration apparatus; chemical analysis for ions

Sand Content Kit
Sand content is measured using 200 mesh size sieve.

Retort kit
The volume of solids, water and oil is measured using fractional distillation and condensation.