Drilling Lab
TITLE: Water Based Drilling Fluid Analysis
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Analysis of drilling fluids is essential to their performance. In this laboratory exercise the aim is to test three drilling fluid samples for; density and rheological properties, Fluid loss, chemical analysis i.e. testing pH, alkalinity, testing for chloride ions, calcium carbonate, calcium, bentonite; also determining the amount of solids present in the samples as well as volumes of oil, water and solids contained in the sample, and to test for contaminates such as NaCl and KCl. These tests helps us to determine the properties of the drilling fluid and so what can be done to make the mud perform more efficiently. For the density and rheological properties a mud balance is used to test density i.e. fill the cup so that a little is ejected through the hole at the top and then move the weights until balance is achieved which is indicated by the bubble in the spirit level. The rheological properties are tested at room temperature and heated using a rotational viscometer which has shear rates of 600rpm; 300rpm, 200rpm, 100rpm, 6rpm, 3rpm or “gel” and 10second and 10minute gel can also be found. These rate especially the 600rpm and the 300rpm are then used to calculate PV (deals with the total solids) and YP (deals with the carrying capacity of the mud), the gel is related to the gel strength which deals with the suspended capacity. From analysis when heated as compared to when at room temperature the PV and YP should not vary by much which would be influenced by the values obtained from the different shear rates. The differences for the rheological properties stems from the additives that are used in the sample. For the Fluid Loss comparing the measured value (30mins) with the calculated value (2X 7.5 mins) there should not be a great loss. The fluid loss is done according to API fluid loss using an API LTLP filter press which uses a pressure of 100psig to essentially push the fluid out of the mud thus
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Analysis of drilling fluids is essential to their performance. In this laboratory exercise the aim is to test three drilling fluid samples for; density and rheological properties, Fluid loss, chemical analysis i.e. testing pH, alkalinity, testing for chloride ions, calcium carbonate, calcium, bentonite; also determining the amount of solids present in the samples as well as volumes of oil, water and solids contained in the sample, and to test for contaminates such as NaCl and KCl. These tests helps us to determine the properties of the drilling fluid and so what can be done to make the mud perform more efficiently. For the density and rheological properties a mud balance is used to test density i.e. fill the cup so that a little is ejected through the hole at the top and then move the weights until balance is achieved which is indicated by the bubble in the spirit level. The rheological properties are tested at room temperature and heated using a rotational viscometer which has shear rates of 600rpm; 300rpm, 200rpm, 100rpm, 6rpm, 3rpm or “gel” and 10second and 10minute gel can also be found. These rate especially the 600rpm and the 300rpm are then used to calculate PV (deals with the total solids) and YP (deals with the carrying capacity of the mud), the gel is related to the gel strength which deals with the suspended capacity. From analysis when heated as compared to when at room temperature the PV and YP should not vary by much which would be influenced by the values obtained from the different shear rates. The differences for the rheological properties stems from the additives that are used in the sample. For the Fluid Loss comparing the measured value (30mins) with the calculated value (2X 7.5 mins) there should not be a great loss. The fluid loss is done according to API fluid loss using an API LTLP filter press which uses a pressure of 100psig to essentially push the fluid out of the mud thus