Drilling Fluid Functions
Drilling Fluid Functions
DRILLING FLUIDS
FUNCTIONS
DRILLING
INTRODUCTION
FLUID FUNCTIONS
Mud Engineer
• is responsible for testing the mud and for prescribing mud treatments in
order to keep mud weight, properties, and chemistry within recommended
limits.
• must give detailed recommendations in order to optimize the achievement
of technical and economical drilling aims
Velocity
• Definition: The rate (or speed) at which the mud is circulated
(dependant on pump capacity, pump speed, borehole size, and DP size)
• The higher the fluid velocity the faster the cuttings will reach the surface
Particle Suspension
• Drilling fluid must also keep drill cuttings in suspension when the mud is
not being circulated (e.g., during a connection)
• The propety that keeps particles in suspension is called “gel strength”.
• Gel strength required to hold the cuttings in suspension should be no
more than required however. When circulation resumes, the fluid must
be fluid enough to release the particles at surface.
• Cuttings that settle when circulation has stopped can cause bridges that
result in a stuck string.
Thixotropic
• Definition: The property exhibited by certain gels of becoming fluid
when stirred or shaken and returning to the semi-solid state upon
standing.
• Most drilling fluids are thixotropic. This means that they undergo a
gelification process in static conditions. This process allows the drilling
fluid to keep cuttings in suspension during pipe connections and other
times when the mud is not moving.
• Shear-thinning fluids with high viscosity are the most effective for well
cleaning at low annular velocity.
Density
• Density has a positive effect on removing drill cuttings: the higher the
density of the mud, the more buoyancy.
• More buoyancy means greater carrying capacity to prevent the cuttings
from falling through the mud and to lift them to surface
• High density fluids can clean the hole very well with low annular velocity
• However, a mud heavier than necessary to balance the formation
pressure has a negative impact on drilling operations, so weighting up
the fluid just to remove cuttings must be avoided
Density
Density
Density
Caving
Logging
• The type and composition of mud in the hole determines the quality of
data from the electric logs that measure the electrical, sonic, nuclear
and magnetic-resonance properties of the formations
• Precise formation evaluation is mandatory, without it we must core,
run DSTs, and conduct flow tests. All these formation evaluation
methods are affected by the drilling fluids.
• Mud or drilling solids that invade deep into the matrix of the formation,
permanently obstructing its porosity and permeability
• Swelling shales, which reduce permeability
• Precipitation of solids that result from the reaction between the mud
filtrate and formation and completion fluids (such as brines or acids),
which limit permeability
• Emulsions formed by contact between the mud filtrate and formation
fluids, which can limit permeability
Filter Cake
• Solids in the mud will form a barrier (skin effect) on the borehole wall of
the formation.
• The filter cake is composed of solids from the drilling fluid
• The filter cake should be thick enough to seal the formation, but it also
must be thin enough to avoid causing drilling problems.
• Tight hole
• Increased torque and overpull
• Poor log quality
• Drillstring failure
8. Control Corrosion
• Because the drill string and casing are constantly in contact with the
drilling fluid and well fluids, they are constantly subject to corrosion
• Electrolysis, stress, contaminants such as soluble salts, dissolved
oxygen, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen sulphide can cause severe
corrosion, either deep in the well or on surface
• Use oxygen scavengers, scale inhibitors, ironite sponge, zinc oxide
• Easiest to maintain high pH: 9.5 to 10.5
• Most solutions only slow the corrosion down, none can solve it
• Range of additives
• Bentonite
• Natural and synthetic polymers
• Asphalts and gilsonit
• Deflocculant organic additives lignosulfonate CMC and starches
• In a drilling fluid system, the mud properties must keep the essential functions
and at the same time minimise problems in the well.
• The topics developed in this chapter are a guideline for the selection of the
fluid.
• The selection of a drilling fluid must be based on generic experience and
developed in site experiences
¾ Drilling problems
¾ Possibility of converting the mud in use to another type of mud
¾ Cost
¾ Products availability
¾ Environmental factors
¾Case histories
• The characteristics of a mud can influence its functions e.g. the formation pressure is
checked by the hydrostatic pressure. The hydrostatic pressure is modified by the
density or specific weight.
• As the uncontrolled density increases, the pressure drop increases. The
consequence is a possible loss of circulation.
Fluids engineering always need an exchange of conditions to treat and keep optimum
drilling. For instance, an out of proportion viscosity increasing, improves the hole
cleaning:
¾ The dilution treating increases a/o the preparation, with consequent costs
increasing