Types of Drilling Fluids Explained
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ScribdTranslationsTypes of Drilling Fluids Explained
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ScribdTranslationsInhibited Fluids
TYPES OF DRILLING FLUIDS
A drilling fluid can be classified by the nature of its continuous fluid phase. It
three types of drilling fluids are classified:
WATER-BASED FLUIDS
2. OIL-BASED FLUIDS
3. GAS BASED FLUIDS
[Link] BASED MUD
These are fluids in which water is the continuous phase. The water can be fresh, brackish, or
seawater, whatever is most convenient and appropriate for the system or available.
The following designations are normally used to define water classifications based on
drilling fluids.
1. NOT DISPERSED-NO–INHIBITED
2. NOT DISPERSED–INHIBITED
3. DISPERSED - NOT INHIBITED
4. DISPERSED–INHIBITED
SLUDGE SYSTEMS
Uninhibited means that the fluid does not contain additives that inhibit hole problems. Inhibited
it means that the fluid contains inhibitory ions such as chloride, potassium, or calcium, or a polymer
that suppresses the decomposition of clays by charge association and encapsulation.
Dispersed media that the diluents have been added to the bentonite dispersion chemically.
(clay) and perforated solid reagents to prevent the construction of viscosity.
Non-inhibited means that the fluid does not contain additives that inhibit hole problems.
Non-dispersed means that the clay particles are free to find their own equilibrium.
dispersed in the water phase.
Non-dispersed - non-inhibited means that the fluids do not contain [Link] such as
chloride (Cl-), calcium (Ca2+) or potassium (K+) in the continuous phase and do not use chemistry.
solvents or dispersants to affect the control of rheological properties.
No dispersed inhibited means that the fluids contain inhibiting ions in the phase
continue, however do not use chemical solvents or dispersants.
Dispersed-non inhibited means that the fluids do not contain inhibitor ions in the phase
continues, but based on solvents or dispersants such as phosphates,
lignosulfonate or lignite that aim to achieve control of the rheological properties of the
fluids.
NON-DISPERSED SLUDGE SYSTEMS, NOT INHIBITED
Spud Mud Gel: It is used to drill the upper hole, usually in 40 to 50 bbls.
in each connection, and volume and displacement hole sweeps in the TD hole. The
Mud is prepared by pre-hydrating bentonite to 30 ppb (pounds per barrel) for 4-6.
hours before use to allow the clay to settle.
CMC Mud Gel: It is used as an alternative to mud spiking when the system of
Mud is closed inch The CMC added in 1 to 3 ppb offers some control over the loss of
fluid, however, this sludge system should only be used in areas of non-formations
reagents and will be subjected to high levels of dilution.
DISPERSED SYSTEMS, NOT INHIBITED
Lignosulfonate mud or phosphate: This is a clay-based mud from fresh water that
requires high levels of treatment dilution during drilling of reactive clays.
Additional needs for caustic soda to be added due to acidic trends
of the system. This is a cheap and easy-to-maintain sludge system; however, it is not common.
in the oil industry today.
DISPERSED SYSTEMS INHIBITED
Sludge Lime / gypsum: These sludges are made from fresh water, but they can also be
build using seawater. Lime / gypsum slurries are often used in areas
where hydration of the shale and swelling lead to significant well instability.
The presence of calcium ions in mud helps stabilize open shales and prevent
detachment and agitated.
NON-DISPERSED, INHIBITED SYSTEMS
These mud systems are the most common in drilling formations.
issues such as clays, shales, and halite salt sections. The inhibition mechanisms
vary according to the type of inhibitor product used. It is common to use two or
more products in the same mud system. These mud systems also minimize the
reaction of the cutting products in the same mud system and therefore help to avoid
the high dilution rates exhibited by other fluid groups
Saturated brine: In this system, the continuous phase, water, is saturated with
salt (Sodium chloride) generally at 180 mg/L, and the viscosity of the sludge develops with
PAC (for filtration) and XC polymer (for viscosity) and starchused to control
fluid loss. Atapulgite can be used for particle viscosity distribution.
This system is used for drilling salt sections to balance the formations and avoid
wash the studies. This system has a minimum weight of 10 points per game. It must be taken into account.
Keep in mind that the solubility of salt increases with temperature, so the system should
it is mixed with slightly extra salt to compensate for the increase in temperature at the bottom of the
hole conditions. If the drill string gets stuck while drilling a salt section,
detect a fresh water pill through the area and allow the salt to dissolve.
KCl Polymer Mud: This mud consists of potassium chloride (KCl) dissolved in fresh water or water.
salad. Both potassium and the polymer are used to reduce the hydration of shale by ion-
substitution with potassium ions and the encapsulation of the slate by the polymer. Potassium is
a smaller and more highly charged ion than the sodium ion, but has a low charge density
and is less hydrated than the sodium ion. Therefore, the substitution of sodium ions in the
surface of shale by potassium ions allow shale plates to be
closer together and, in addition to this, the potassium ion fits within the volume of the
separation of ions in the clay surface, neutralizing the negative charge on the surface of the
clay with a higherstrength. This results in shale drilling cuts being more
easy to remove and less pollution in the system. The stability of the well also
increases due to the addition of potassium to sludge as a result of the creation of a well not
reactive. During drilling, the potassium ion is being easily used to
above in the well and cuttings and additions of potassium are necessary to maintain the
potassium concentration in the mud system.
Lodos PHPA: PHPA (partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide) with a high molecular weight
polymer and is used as cuttings and well stabilizer.
2. MUD OIL BASE
An oil-based mud system is one in which the continuous phase of a fluid
drilling is oil. When water is added as the discontinuous phase, then it
it is called an inverse emulsion. These fluids are particularly useful in drilling the
production zones, shales and sensitive water other formations, such as clays do not
They hydrate or swell in oil. They are also useful in the drilling of high-angle wells.
horizontal due to its superior lubricating properties and low friction values between
the steel and result in the formation of reduced pairs and drag. Invest the
emulsion fluids (IEF) are more cost-effective than water in the muds of the following
situations
Shale stability
Temperature stability
Lubricity
Corrosion resistance
pipeline blockage
Prevention
Contamination
Production of protection
Oil-based muds are subject to strict government regulations and must be considered as such.
attention to alternative systems.
3. BASE OF FLUIDS
There are four main types of gas-based fluids:
Air
2. Fog
Foam
4. Aerated Drilling Fluid
These are not common like the systems that have limited applications such as the
drilling of depleted reservoirs or aquifers where normal mud weights could cause
severe loss of circulation. In the case of air, one can explore the maximum depth is
currently from about 6-8,000 ft due to the capabilities of the available compressors. Yes, water
is present in the formation is very detrimental to the use of gas-based muds.
properties such as it tends to break in the presence of water.
SOLIDS CONTROL EQUIPMENT
Solid and gaseous pollutants trapped in the sludge can be removed from the mud in four.
stages:
Screen separation: sieves, screens, and cleaner scalper screens for mud.
• Unagitated compartment separation solution: sand traps and settling boxes.
The removal of gaseous pollutants by vacuum degassers or similar equipment
sedimentation obliged by the action of centrifugal devices including hydrocyclones
(desander, desilter, and micro cones) and centrifuges.
SCREEN SEPARATION DEVICES
The figure shows a design for solid control equipment for a heavy mud system.
Screens and scalper screens (Gumbo shakers) can effectively remove up to 80% of the total.
solids of a drilling fluid, if the correct type of shaker is used and executed in a
efficient manner. Slurry loaded with solids passes over the vibrating agitator where the
liquid part of mud and small solids pass through the screens of the shaker and scraps
of drilling is concentrated at the bottom of the high agitator.
There are two types of operation: elliptical motion agitator and linear. The field experience
They indicate that the elliptical mixers work better with a water base and mud mixers.
linear movement is better suited to oil-based muds.
An absolute minimum of three screens is recommended that these shakers be equipped with
refurbishment games to allow quick and easy substitutions. The shakers
they must also be in a cover casing, closed with a ventilation means and each
agitator equipped with a smoke bell.
Complete solid control system.
Linear shaker system
Taken from: Rabia_Hussain__Well_Engineering_&_Construction
ELIMINATION OF GASEOUS POLLUTANTS
The gas trapped in the sludge must be removed in order to maintain the weight of the sludge at a level.
necessary to control the formation of holes under pressure. The gas is removed from the mud
using a vacuum degasifier. The latter is a simple device that contains a vacuum
pump and a float set. The vacuum pump creates a low internal pressure that allows for the
cutting gas sludge to be dragged to the degasifier vessel and flows in a thin layer over
an internal deflector plate. The combination of low internal pressures and the poor film of
liquid causes gas bubbles to expand in size, rising to the surface of the sludge inside
of the ship and the rupture of the mud. As the gas moves towards the top of the
The degasifier is removed by the vacuum pump. The eliminated gas is kept away from the
platform and is then either vented to the atmosphere or bell-shaped.
Vacuum degasser
Taken from: Rabia Hussain Well Engineering & Construction
DESANDER AND DESILTERS
The desander and desilter are hydrocyclones and they work on the principle of separating solids from
a liquid through the creation of centrifugal forces inside the hydrocyclone. Slurry is injected
tangentially in the hydrocyclone and the resulting centrifugal forces drive the solids to the
walls of the hydrocyclone and finally, the discharges from the vertex with a small
mud volume. The liquid portion of the sludge comes out of the top of the hydrocyclone as a
overflow and is then sent to the active pit to be pumped back from the bottom of the well.
desanders
They are hydrocyclones with 6 or ID in primary use. The ones for desanding are found in the sections
superior when drilling holes with water-based mud to help keep the weight down when
silt. Using desanders prevents the overload of the desander cones and increases their
efficiency reduces the sludge content and weight of the solids in the feed input. The
Desander should be used if the sand content of the mud rises above 0.5%.
to prevent the abrasion of the pump linings. Screens should never be used with
The oil-based sludge, due to its very wet solids, discharges. The desander does a
cut in the range of 40 to 45 microns in size. With an aerosol
for download, the underflow weight must be between 2.5 to 5.0 points per match heavier than the
as an appetizer
clay.
(b) Desilters
The Desilters in conjunction with desanders should be used to process low-density sludge.
used to drill holes in upper sections. If required to lift the weight of the mud
this must be done with the additions of sticks, and not by allowing the accumulation of low solids
Gravity. Desilters should never be used with oil-based muds. The desander makes a
cut in the size range of 20 to 25 microns. Typical performance capabilities are like
Sands separators 12" for 500 gpm. 6" for 125 gpm. Desilters 4" cone cone for 50 gpm.
cone cone at 15 gpm. As a visual check to see that the hydrocyclone the
operations are in aoptimal grade, the discharge must be in the form of a spray
fine and a suction must be felt at the vertex when covered with the hand. A string
download media that the mud has lost its circular movement and the cone is not
functioning correctly.
(c) The mud cleaners
A mud cleaner consists of a battery of hydrocyclones placed on top of a high
vibrational energy screen, Figure 7.11. Mud cleaners should only be used when
it makes it impossible to keep the mud weight low with just the use of screens. It is much more
efficient for using desilters and the background flow process with a centrifuge
use the screens of a cleaned mud.
Desilter.
Taken from: Rabia_Hussain__Well_Engineering_&_Construction
The use of oil-based mud cleaners should be minimized as the
Experience has shown that mud losses of 3 to 5 bbls / hr are high and are not
common, along with the need to comply with strict pollution regulations
environmental.
(d) Centrifuges
Centrifuges can remove heavy solids from the liquid and its components.
lightweight sludge. A horizontal centrifuge separator consists of a conical section.
high-speed rotating steel bowl. The container holds a type of conveyor.
of a double screw that turns in the same direction as the steel container, but at a
slightly lower speed. When sludge enters the centrifuge,
The centrifugal force developed by the container holds the sludge in a pond against
the walls of the pond. In this pond silt and sand particles settle against the
walls and the scratches transport sheets and push the settled solids towards the
narrow extreme of the cup where particles without free liquid are collected as moisture.
The liquid particles and the clay are collected like the overflow of ports in the
large end of the cup.
It is recommended to have at least one centrifuge at the drilling site at all times
drilling operations. For expensive muds or long-term drilling operations
two centrifuges can be cost-effective.
The efficiency of the centrifuge is mainly affected by the feed flow rate,
but it is also affected by the following operating parameters:
Speed container (rpm).
Differential speed transport container (rpm).
Depth of the pool.
Mud cleaner
Taken from: Rabia_Hussain__Well_Engineering_&_Construction
decanter centrifuge
Taken from: Rabia_Hussain__Well_Engineering_&_Construction
Bibliography:
Bariod 2000. Drilling Mud Course Seminar for Entrac Engineers.
2. 1. Bariod 2000. Drilling Mud Course Seminar for Entrac Engineers.
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