Physical characteristics of the

drilling fluids
Newpark Drilling Fluids

Density
Viscosity
Yield Point
Gel
Filtrate
 Viscosity – Using the Newton definition
Newpark Drilling Fluids

“In Newtonian fluids shear stress is directly proportional to the shear rate, when the
shear rate is doubled the shear stress will also be doubled or when the circulation rate
is doubled the pressure required to pump the fluid will be doubled”.

Viscosity is defined as the resistance to flow.

Shear Stress = Coefficient of viscosity

Shear rate
Viscosity:

Newpark Drilling Fluids

 Yield Point
Shear Stress Newpark Drilling Fluids

The plastic viscosity is

Yield given by the slope

Shear rate

This value gives indications concerning the capacity of the drilling fluid to transport the cuttings.
Forza di GEL
Newpark Drilling Fluids
The gel is the measure of the
thixotropic characteristics of a
fluid, which means the
necessary force to break the
gelled structure the drilling
fluid forms when circulation is
stopped.
• Gels are a time dependant
force.
The characteristics of a drilling
fluid’s gel are desribed as
Low-Flat (most desireble),
progressive and High-Flat (both of
them undesirable).
Gel’s effect when circulation starts
Newpark Drilling Fluids
 Filtration’s Property Newpark Drilling Fluids

THE LOSS OF THE CONTINUOUS PHASE OF THE DRILLING FLUID INTO THE FORMATION

The flow of filtrate through the filter cake is described by DARCY’s law:
dq = K A p
d L
Where:

K = permeability of the cake- darcies

A = area of the filter- cm2
p = differential pressure on the cake, atm
viscosity of the filtrate, cP
Lthickness of thecake, cm
dq = filtration’s speed, ml/sec
d
 Newpark Drilling Fluid
The filtrate is a function of:

a. The type of the formed wall cake.

b. Various conditions of the fluid’s flow
(laminar, turbulent, static)
c. Temperature
d. Pressure on the cake and the
compressibility of the cake.
e. Time.
The rate of filtration is directly related to:

a. Problems with well stability

b. Formation damage High filtrate

c. Rate of penetration To low filtrate

 Newpark Drilling Fluid

a. Type of cake: The dimensions of the particles forming the cake has an
influence on the permeability (K), hence rate of filtration. To obtain a low
filtrate, it is recommended to use a combination of polymers and bentonite.
b. Flow conditions: In dynamic conditions the filtrate increases due to erosion of
the cake while rotating and circulating.
c. Temperature: Higher temperature’s will thin the filtrate making it that much
easier to permeate the wall cake. Moreover, by increasing the temperature,
some or all the chemicals may be effected thereby hindering optimum
performance.
d. Hydrostatic pressure on the wall cake: Hydrostatic pressure affects the wall
cakes’ compressibility. The compressible cake can be compacted with the
result being diminishing permeability.
 The relation of filtration - viscosity
Newpark Drilling Fluid

Visc.1
F2 = F1
Visc.2

F1 = Filtration related to Visc. 1

F2= Filtration related to Visc. 2
Phisycal properties of the drilling fluids
Newpark Drilling Fluid

Optimal values
of:
Carrying cap.
Viscosity
Yield Point
Gels
 Lifting and carrying capacity
Newpark Drilling Fluid

Minimum value Maximum value

Sufficient to remove the cuttings 1. Pump limits
2. Erosion effect
3. ECD exceeding fracture gradient (ECD > GFr)

Optimal Values

The maximum possible without

generating negative influences
 VISCOSITY’
Newpark Drilling Fluid

Minimum value Maximum value

Sufficient to hinder the cuttings
settling in the hole and to allow
for a positive re-ascending
velocity.
1. Pump limits
2. As low as possible to allow maximum efficiency of
the solids control equipment.
3. Again ensuring that the ECD does not exceed the
fracture gradient (ECD > GFr).

Optimal Value

The lowest allowing the well’s

cleaning
 GEL
In case of stop circulation Newpark Drilling Fluid

Minimum value Maximum value

Mantaining the cuttings in suspension Limit detemined by the necessity to avoid swab/surge
effect while POOH and RIH.

Optimal Value
Equivalent to the miminum
value
Swab effect
Newpark Drilling Fluid

Pressure reduced
Surge effect

Newpark Drilling Fluid

Pressure increases