Drilling Fluids

CNOOC
Qi Wanjun
2019.9
Out Line of Drilling Fluids

Introduction

Composition

Types

Functions

Properties

Additives
Introduction
On a drilling rig, mud is pumped from the mud pits through the
drill string where it sprays out of nozzles on the drill bit, cleaning and
cooling the drill bit in the process. The mud then carries the crushed
or cut rock ("cuttings") up the annular space ("annulus") between the
drill string and the sides of the hole being drilled, up through the
surface casing, where it emerges back at the surface. Cuttings are
then filtered out with either a shale shaker, or the newer shale
conveyor technology, and the mud returns to the mud pits. The mud
pits let the drilled "fines" settle; the pits are also where the fluid is
treated by adding chemicals and other substances.
Drilling fluids composition
 Drilling fluid is consisted of liquid phase
and solid phase. In some cases where two
liquids are used to prepare the drilling fluid, the
mud is described as two liquid phase mud.in
this case one liquid is defined as continuous
phase and emulsified in the other one that is
called discontinuous phase. For example in the
oil based mud, the continuous phase is the oil,
and the discontinuous phase is the water.
Liquids

There is a verity of liquids which can be used as base fluid: water, crude oil,
diesel. The products which are added to mud system have to be able to dissolve in
the base fluid as salts for density, and chemicals for alkalinity.
Solids

Solids are two types:

Mud products are classified in two classes: active and inert. Active solids
react with the base fluid to give mud a particular property such as the
bentonite that is used for adjusting viscosity. Inert solids do not react with
the base fluid like the barite that is used for increasing mud weight.
Drilled solids or cuttings and they also classified to active and inert
according to the formation which is drilled.
Drilling Fluid Types
Drilling Fluid Selection
There are several different types of drilling fluids, based on both their
composition and use. The three key factors that drive decisions about the
type of drilling fluid selected for a specific well are:
Cost
Technical performance
Environmental impact.
Selecting the correct type of fluid for the specific conditions is an
important part of successful drilling operations.
Drilling fluid classification:

The drilling fluids are classified into two classes according to

the continues phase or basic liquid:
water based mud
oil based mud
WATER BASED MUD
These are fluids where water is the continuous phase. The water may be fresh, seawater,
whichever is most convenient and suitable to the system or is available. Water-based muds co
nsist of a mixture of solids, liquids and chemicals.

Some solids (clays) react with the water and chemicals in the mud and are called active s
olids. The activity of these solids must be controlled in order to allow the mud to function pro
perly. The solids which do not react within the mud are called inactive or inert solids (e.g. Bari
te). The other inactive solids are generated by the drilling process. Fresh water is used as the b
ase for most of these muds, but in offshore drilling operations salt water is more readily availa
ble.
 The following designations are normally used to define the classific
ations of water based drilling fluids:

1.Non-dispersed system

2.Dispersed system

3.Polymer system

4.Calcium treated systems

5.Salt water systems

 Non dispersed system: this type of mud is used at top holes as spud mud or lightly
treated muds. Chemicals like dispersants and thinners are not used to disperse
cuttings and clay particles.
 Dispersed system: in deeper wells where high densities are required to control the
well, mud is dispersed. Potassium-containing products are frequently added to the
mud to provide shale inhibition.
 Calcium treated systems: calcium and magnesium are added to fresh water drilling
fluids in order to inhibit clays and shale swelling. High concentration of soluble
calcium is used to control hole enlargement and sloughing shale to prevent any
formation damage. Calcium mud systems resist to salt and anhydrite contamination
but are vulnerable to gelation and solidification at high level of temperature.
 Polymer system
Polymers of long chains, high molecular weight are used to encapsulate
cuttings to prevent dispersion and coat shale for inhibition. They are also used
to increase viscosity and reduce fluid loss. KCL and NaCl are added to provide
higher shale stability. The polymer system is temperature limited system; they
cannot be used for temperature higher than 300 F°.
 Salt water systems
This type of drilling fluids is used to drill through salt formation. the system is
saturated and have chloride concentration up to 190000 mg/l.
Oil-based mud (OBM):

Oil-based mud is a mud where the base fluid is a petroleum product

such as diesel fuel. Oil-based muds are used for many reasons,
including increased lubricity, enhanced shale inhibition, and greater
cleaning abilities with less viscosity. Oil-based muds also withstand
greater heat without breaking down.
The use of oil-based muds has special considerations, including
cost, environmental considerations such as disposal of cuttings in an
appropriate place.
Oil based mud is classified into three types:

Full oil system (water content less than 0.5%)

Invert oil emulsions (water content from 5 to 50%)
Synthetic oil based mud
Invert emulsion system
They are water in oil emulsions. The emulsified phase is the calcium
chloride brine and the continuous phase is the oil. It is characterized by its low
electrical stabilities and high fluid loss values. Oil systems require additional
gelling agents for viscosity. These types of systems have many advantages.
They are not very reactive. They are also stable at high temperature and
pressure, high contamination resistance and not corrosive, but also they have
some drawbacks: they are expensive and harmful for environment.
Synthetic-based fluid (SBM)
Synthetic-based fluid is a mud where the base fluid is a synthetic oil. This
is most often used on offshore rigs because it has the properties of an oil-
based mud, but the toxicity of the fluid fumes are much less than an oil-based
fluid. This is important when men work with the fluid in an enclosed space such
as an offshore drilling rig.
Synthetic-based fluid poses the same environmental and analysis
problems as oil-based fluid.
Advantages of Oil Based Mud

The oil base mud is good for high temperature environment because the
base fluid is oil.
It is good for drilling into shale formation because it does not react with
formation clay causing shale instability. It typically creates thin mud cake.
This is really good because you can reduce risk for pipe stuck situation.
It can be treated and reused. Using this mud for long run can reduce
overall drilling mud cost.
Oil base as external phase is good lubricant so it greatly reduce drilling
torque.
Disadvantages of OBM

 Environmental concern – Oil base mud is considered as toxic waste therefore it

cannot be disposed directly into land, river, or ocean.
 People Heath – This mud has hazardous vapors which will cause health
problem to personnel who working with it in both short and long term.
 Cost – Mud cost of this system is higher than water base mud in terms of cost
per barrel.
 Gas kick detection – Gas kick is very difficult to identify because gas is soluble
in oil. You may take kick but you will be able to see pit gain or flow increase at
the first time.
 Equipment – Rubber parts is easily deteriorated by oil base.
Drilling fluid Function
Remove cuttings from the Wellbore
The primary function of drilling fluid is to ensure that the rock c
uttings generated by the drill bit are continuously removed from t
he wellbore.
 The carrying capacity of the mud depends on the annular
velocity, density and viscosity of the mud.

 The ability to suspend the cuttings depends on the gelling

properties of the mud. This gel forms when circulation is
stopped and the mud is static.

 The drilled solids are removed from the mud at surface by

mechanical devices such as shale shakers, desanders and
 Suspend cuttings when not circulating

The ability of suspending cuttings is

related to the gel strength of the mud.
The gel strength is one of the most
important drilling fluid properties because it
demonstrates the ability of the drilling mud to
suspend drill solid and weighting material
when circulation is ceased. Low gel strength
indicates inability to suspend cuttings. It can
lead to pipe stuck and hole pack off due to
insufficient cutting suspension.
 Protect the formation and the formation fluids

Mud cake formation on the wall of a wellbore is important from the point view of
fluid loss and formation damage control. The low permeability mud cake significantly
reduces the invasion of the mud solids and the mud filtrate
Preventing formation fluids flow to the wellbore

The drilling fluid column exerts a

hydrostatic pressure; this pressure has
to be high enough to stop any fluid to
flow from the formation into the well
which can disturb drilling fluid
properties and cause uncontrolled
situations.
The pressure in the well bore has to guarantee two issues:
It has to be higher than the pore pressure to do not allow the fluids to flow
into the well
It has to be less than fracture pressure to avoid causing lost circulation.
Maintaining wellbore stability
There are many instability problems that can be faced while drilling (ex: instable
shales, lost circulation, highly permeable zones). Shale instability can be caused by
two mechanisms:
The pore pressure of shale is higher than the borehole pressure exerted by the
column of mud
Clays hydration by water contained in mud filtrate.
The shale instability caused by differential pressure can be overcome by
increasing mud weight. The clay hydration can be overcome by drilling with non-
water base muds, or treating mud with products which can reduce water ability to
hydrate clays.
Cool and Lubricate the Bit:

1 、 The rock cutting process will, in particular w

ith PDC bits, generate a great deal of heat at the
bit. Unless the bit is cooled, it will overheat and
quickly wear out.
2 、 The circulation of the drilling fluid will cool t
he bit down and help lubricate it.
 Transmission of hydraulic horsepower

Hydraulic energy is one of the important issues which

has to be well designed to improve drilling
performances. It provides energy for MWD, LWD tools
and mud motors. Sizing the bit nozzles accurately can
help to maximize pressure drop at the bit and
consequently the jet impact force. The higher pressure
drop at the bit helps to remove cuttings from the bottom
and keep clean cutting structure.
The pressure losses in the mud circuit from the mud
pump down to the bit up to the surface through the
annulus are higher in drilling fluids with higher densities,
viscosities and solids content. Also, the use of small ID
of drill pipe, mud motors and MWD tools reduce the
pressure which can be available at the bit.
Drilling Fluid Properties
Drilling Fluid Properties
1 、 The properties of a drilling fluid can be analysed by its physical and che
mical attributes.

2 、 The major properties of the fluid should be measured and reported daily i
n the drilling morning report.

3 、 Each mud property contributes to the character of the fluid and must be
monitored regularly to show trends, which can be used to ascertain what
is happening to the mud whilst drilling.

4 、 There are many tests a fluid can have; the major ones are explained bel
ow.
MUD WEIGHT OR MUD DENSITY:

The density is the weight per unit of volume. During operations mud weight
has to be well controlled and need adjustment. If the mud weight is less than the
required level of density to drilling safely can permit the formation fluids to flow into
the well and lead to well control situation and if it is higher than the appropriate
level it can lead to lost circulation situations.

The real mud weight under circulation is greater than the density while drilling
fluid is in static. It has to be less than fracture gradient.
MUD WEIGHT OR MUD DENSITY:
Unit: pounds per gallon (ppg or lb/gal).
Mud weight is measured in the field using a mud balance ：

How to use it?

Viscosity
It is defined as the internal resistance of fluid flow. There are 2 types of
viscosity which are Funnel Viscosity and Plastic Viscosity. The viscosity of
drilling fluid is a function of:
Viscosity of the continuous phase or the base liquid
The size, shape and solids particles in the mud which is represent it by the plastic
viscosity
The inter-particle force represents it by the yield point
Reducing viscosity in any drilling fluid can be achieved by:
Reduction of solids by mechanical treatment or dilution
Neutralization of attractive forces between particles.
 Viscosity is a measure of the internal resistance of a fluid to flow, Two co
mmon methods are used on the rig to measure viscosity:
Marsh funnel
Rotational viscometer
1- Funnel Viscosity
It is time, in seconds for one quart of mud to flow through a Marsh funnel which
has a capacity of 946 cm3 . A quart of water exits the funnel in 26 seconds. This is
not a true viscosity, but serves as a qualitative measure of how thick the mud
sample is. The funnel viscosity is useful only for relative comparisons.

Funnel Viscosity is the measured times it takes for one quart of mud to
gravity feed through a hole of a specific diameter.

Unit: Seconds per quart (sec/qt).

 The March Funnel is a simple device used for the routine monitoring of the vis
cosity, and should be performed alongside the mud weight check.

 Marsh funnel readings are affected by mud weight, solids content and tempera
ture.

 The value from the Marsh funnel should only be used for comparison purpose
s and for monitoring trends.
MARSH FUNNEL VISOMETER

How to use it ?
 Viscosity

Rotational viscometer
It is a device used to measure the viscosity and yield
point of mud . A sample of mud is placed in a slurry cup
and rotation of a sleeve in the mud gives readings which
can be mathematically converted into plastic viscosity
(PV) and yield point (YP).

It is recommended whenever possible since readings

can be obtained at 600,300,200,100,6 and 3 rpm.
PLASTIC VISCOSITY (PV):

Plastic viscosity (PV) is that part of flow resistance in a mud caused primarily
by the friction between the suspended particles and by the viscosity of the
continuous liquid phase. It is a representation of the concentration, size and shape
of the solid particles.

PV (in cP) is measured by taking the difference between the dial readings tak
en at the two highest speeds of 600 rpm and 300 rpm

PV = θ600 - θ300
 Yield point (YP)
Physical meaning is the resistance to initial flow, or the stress
required starting fluid movement. YP is used to evaluate the ability of
mud to lift cuttings out of the annulus. A higher YP implies that drilling
fluid has ability to carry cuttings better than a fluid of similar density
but lower YP. Yield Point (YP) is calculated from the following:

P = θ300 – PV
 Both PV and YP are mathematical values which can be used for
calculating the pressure loss in the circulating system.
When plastic viscosity rises, this is usually an indication that the
solids control equipment are running inefficiently.
Ideally, the yield point(YP) should be just high enough to
suspend the cuttings as they are circulated up the annulus.
Gel Strength
It is the ability of fluid to suspend fluid while mud is in static condition.
Before testing gel strength, mud must be agitated for a while in order to prevent
precipitation and then let mud is in static condition for a certain limited time (10
seconds, 10 minutes or maybe 30 minutes) and then open the viscometer at 3
rpm and read the maximum reading value. Ideally the two values of gel strength
should be close rather than progressively far apart.
In a morning report, there are 3 values of gel strength, which are Gel 10sec
(lbf/100 ft2), Gel 10 mins (lbf/100 ft2) and Gel 30 mins (lbf/100 ft2).
 The gel strength of the mud will provide an indication of the pressure requi
red to initiate flow after the mud has been static for some time.

The gel strength of the mud also provides an indication of the suspension
properties of the mud and hence its ability to suspend cuttings when the mud i
s stationary.
FLUID LOSS AND FILTER CAKE
These two properties shall be dealt with together, as it is the filtration of mud
that causes the build up of filter cake. Loss of fluid from the mud to the formation
occurs when the permeability is such that it allows fluid to pass through the pore
spaces. As fluid is lost, a build up of mud solids occurs on the face of the wellbore.
This is the filter cake.
The filter cake building properties of mud can be measured by means of a filter pres
s.

Fluid loss: Unit: ml / 30 minutes at 100 psi (for API test) or 500 psi and BHT ( F) fo
r high temperature/high pressure (HTHP).
Filter cake thickness is measured in 1 /32".
FILTER
PRESS

How to use it?

HTHP FILTER PRESS

HTHP Fluid Loss: This test is conducted

for testing fluid loss behavior of mud. Mud
is pressed through filter paper located in
the HTHP filter press at 300 F with
differential pressure at 500 psi for 30 mins.
Thickness of filter cake stuck in filter paper
should be less than 2 ml.
FILTER CAKE

Mud filter cake is a layer formed by solid particles in drilling mud

against porous zones due to differential pressure between hydrostatic
pressure and formation pressure.

For the drilling operation, it is preferred to have a filter cake that is

impermeable and thin. Practically, the filter cake from API or HTHP fluid
loss test should be in the region of 1 to 2 /32" and should never be
greater than 3/32", even in an HPHT test with WBM.
Excessive filtration and thick filter cake build up are likely to cause the
following problems:
Tight hole, causing excessive drag.
Increased pressure surges, due to reduced hole diameter.
Differential sticking, due to an increased pipe contact in filter cake.
Excessive formation damage and evaluation problems with wireline logs.
Most of these problems are caused by the filter cake and not the amount of
filtration because the aim is to deposit a thin, impermeable filter cake. A low
water loss may not do this, as the cake is also dependent upon solids size and
distribution.
Solids content

Solid content is a fraction of the total solid in drilling mud, and it always
increases while drilling ahead because of drilling solid (cuttings), mud chemical
additives and weighting material. Solid content refers to soluble and insoluble
solid content in the drilling fluid system.

Solids can be:

Added to the drilling fluid in order to increase viscosity or weight
Accumulated in the fluid like drilled cuttings or disintegrated clay particles.
The treatment of solids has to be effective to remove undesired solids
which do not contribute to beneficial properties.
 The drill solids are the worst solid content in the drilling fluid
because it gradually deteriorates mud properties. Moreover, if its particle
size is less than 5 microns, these drill solids cannot be removed by
mechanical methods, and they will stay in the mud forever. The upper
limit of the drill solid faction should be 6-7 % by volume or approximately
55 – 60 lb/bbl.
Sand Content:

This simple test is used to determine the volume percent sand-sized

particles in a mud. The information is used to make adjustments in solids
control equipment. Sand causes excessive wear on mixing equipment, drill
string, and on pump parts. A high proportion of sand in the mud is therefore
undesirable.
SAND CONTENT APPARATUS:

How to use it?

Drilling Fluid Additives
Drilling Fluid Additives
There are many drilling fluid additives which are used to develop the key
properties of the mud. The variety of fluid additives reflect the complexity of mud syste
ms currently in use. The complexity is also increasing daily as more difficult and challen
ging drilling conditions are encountered. The most common types of additives used in
water-based and oil-based muds are:
1.Weighting Materials:
Weighting materials (densifiers) are compounds that are dissolved or suspended in d
rilling fluid to increase its density. They are used to control formation pressures and to he
lp combat the effects of sloughing or heaving shales that may be encountered in stressed
areas.
Any substance that is denser than water and that does not adversely affect other pro
perties of the drilling fluid can be used as a weighting material.
 Mud weights higher than water (8.3 ppg) are required to control formation pre
ssures and to help combat the effects of sloughing or heaving shales that may be
encountered in stressed areas.
MOST
Barite COMMONLY USED WEIGHTING MATERIALS

Calcium Carbonate
2 、 VISCOSIFIERS:

The ability of drilling mud to suspend drill cuttings and weighting materials
depends entirely on its viscosity. Without viscosity, all the weighting material and drill
cuttings would settle to the bottom of the hole as soon as circulation is stopped.

One can think of viscosity as a structure built within the water or oil phase which
suspends solid material. In practice, there are many solids which can be used to
increase the viscosity of water or oil. The effects of increased viscosity can be felt by
the increased resistance to fluid flow; in drilling this would manifest itself by increased
pressure losses in the circulating system.
Materials used as Viscosifier
1. Clays are added to water to provide the viscosity and yield point properties necessary to lif
t the drilling cutting or to keep them in suspension. There are two types of clay currently in
use for making water-base muds.

 Bentonite clay (using in fresh water)

 Attapulgite(or salt gel) (using in both fresh and salt water).

2. Polymers are chemicals consisting of chains made up of many repeated small units called
monomers.
If want to reduce the viscosity of the mud:
 Reduce the solids content
 Neutralize the attractive forces between the particles. (Using thinners)
THANKS