2015-1-2 Properties and Testing of Drilling Fluids

Properties and Testing of
Drilling Fluids
2015
Basic Drilling Fluids Workshop
Vertical Applications
Leiden, NL
Drilling Fluid Properties are
The Language
Of Drilling Fluids
© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved
1
Drilling Fluid Properties
▌Viscosity
▌Density
▌Sand Content
▌Rheology
 Plastic viscosity, yield point, gel strengths
▌Filtration Properties
 Filtrate volume and filter cake thickness
▌Calcium Hardness
▌pH
Why Fluids Testing?
▌Drilling fluid properties determine if a drilling fluid can

perform its functions
 Build desirable fluid properties
 Maintain desirable fluid properties
▌Understanding and communication
▌Problem solving
▌Reporting and record keeping
▌The only way to know what the properties are is to test
them
2
Start With The Make-up Water
Water
▌Is the water ready to mix mud?

▌Check the make-up water for total hardness and pH
Total Hardness / Calcium Hardness
▌Measures the concentration of cations contributing to total

hardness
▌Measured with calcium indicator strips or titrations
▌Reported in milligrams per liter calcium (mg/l)
▌Why?
 Retards hydration of bentonite and polymers
3
Hardness
Total Hardness
Test Strips
© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved 7
Hardness
Dip Indicator Strip Into Make-up

Water
4
Hardness
Compare Color on Strip To

Color Chart on Container
Hardness
Calcium Levels As Low As Possible

Are Desirable
Less Than 100 mg/l is Recommended
5
Hardness
Treat Out Excess Calcium

With
Soda Ash
Soda Ash in Water
𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑 + 𝟐𝑯𝟐 𝑶 → 𝟐𝑵𝒂+ + 𝑪𝑶= +

𝟑 + 𝟐𝑯 + 𝟐𝑶𝑯
−
𝑪𝒂++ + 𝑪𝑶=
𝟑 → 𝑪𝒂𝑪𝑶𝟑 ↓
𝟐𝑯+ + 𝑪𝑶=
𝟑 → 𝑯𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑
𝑵𝒂+ + 𝑶𝑯− ↔ 𝑵𝒂𝑶𝑯
6
Mechanism of Calcium Removal
Chemical Reaction from Addition of Soda Ash

Gypsum
CaSO4  Na 2CO 3  CaCO 3   2Na   SO4 2
Lime
2
Ca  2OH  Na 2CO 3  CaCO 3   2Na   2OH -
-
pH
▌ Indicates the Acidity or Alkalinity of a Fluid

 A pH of 7 is neutral
 Acidic environments range from 0 to less than 7
 Alkaline environments range from greater than 7 to 14
▌ pH analysis can be carried out on:
 Make-up water
 Filtrate
 Drilling fluid
▌ Measured with pH strips, papers or meters
▌ Why?
 8.5 – 9.5 is optimal for hydration of bentonite and polymers
7
Acid Alkaline
pH
Use Wide-Range pH Strips (0 To

14)
8
pH
Dip pH strip in make-up water
pH
Compare colors
to determine
pH value
4-5 pH
9
pH
For low pH
raise with Soda Ash to
8.5 to 9.5
pH
pH Reading After Adjustment
9 pH
10
Soda Ash – Soda Ash – Soda Ash
▌Soda ash is a double positive for mixing mud

 Treats out hardness
 Raises pH
pH
For high pH
lower with
Bicarbonate Of Soda
11
Test Drilling Fluid Properties
Drilling
Fluid
Viscosity: “RESISTANCE TO FLOW”
▌Thickness of the fluid

▌Measured with a Marsh Funnel Viscometer
▌Measured with a Rheometer
▌Why?
 Relates to hole cleaning, cuttings settling, borehole
stability and pumping pressures
12
Marsh Funnel Viscosity
Marsh Funnel and Cup
▌ Field measurement of the thickness of a fluid

▌ Reported in seconds per quart or seconds per liter
Viscosity
13
Viscosity
1 quart to scribe line
Viscosity of water at 20ºC (68º F)
26 sec/qt
or
27 sec/liter
14
▌Generally 30 to 75 seconds per quart

▌Lower viscosity is desirable while maintaining suspension
and gel strength
▌Higher viscosities contribute to higher pumping pressures
Significant Change in Funnel Viscosity
▌A difference of ±5%
 35 seconds / quart ±5% = 33 – 37
 120 seconds / quart ±5% = 114 – 126
15
Adjusting Viscosity
▌Raise by adding viscosifiers

 bentonite, polymers
▌Reduce by adding thinning agents
 water, dispersants, thinners
Density
▌Mass per unit volume

 Weight of the fluid
▌Measured with mud balance
16
Density
▌Scale reads In Pounds Per Gallon (lb/gal), Specific Gravity,

Pounds Per Cubic Foot, Or Psi Per 1000 Feet of Depth
 Pounds per gallon (lb/gal) or Specific Gravity (SG) are
the standard measurements for drilling applications
▌Why?
 Used to calculate total solids content of the mud
 Used to calculate hydrostatic head
 Used to determine the efficiency of solids control
equipment
Mud Balance
OVERFILL CUP
17
Mud Balance
OVERFILL CUP
Mud Balance
Place Mud
Balance On
Fulcrum
18
Mud Balance
Bubble Slider
Mud Balance
Read
19
Significant Change in Density
▌A difference of ±:
 0.2 ppg
 0.02 S.G.
 10 psi/1000 ft
 1.5 pounds / cubic foot
Density
Calibrate Mud Balance With Water
Water has a weight of 8.34 lb/gal

or
a Specific Gravity of 1.0
20
Density
▌Desirable limits - as low as possible
Hydrostatic Head Calculation
Hydrostatic Head (psi) =

Fluid weight (lb/gal) x depth (feet) x .052
Example:10 lb/gal x 100 feet x .052

= 52.0 PSI
21
Solids Content Calculation
% Solids* = (Fluid Weight, lb/gal - 8.3) X 8
% Solids = (11.3 - 8.3) X 8
3 X 8 = 24% Solids
* by volume - assumes 2.6 S.G. solids
Adjusting Density
▌Raise with weighting agents

▌Lower by removing solids
 gravity settling
 solids control equipment
▌Lower by dilution
 add whole mud
 add water
22
Sand Content
▌Measures the sand sized particle content of the drilling fluid

 Sand is a size and not a mineral for testing purposes
 Sand size is defined as anything retained on a 200
mesh screen (greater than 74 microns)
▌Measured with a Sand Content Test Kit
▌Reported as % by volume
▌Why?
 Indicates the abrasive constituent of the drilling fluid
 High sand content slows penetration rate
 High sand content contaminates samples
Sand Content Test Kit
23
Sand Content
Fill sand content

tube with fluid to
“Mud To Here”
line
Sand Content
24
Sand Content
Sand Content
25
Sand Content
Sand Content
26
0.75% Sand
Trace Sand
27
Sand Content
▌Desirable Limits
 As Low as Possible for all drilling applications
 Less than or equal to 1% is preferred
▌High sand content slows penetration rate
▌High sand content contaminates samples
▌High sand content wears all circulating system components
Significant Change in Sand Content
▌Value < 1% – ¼ of a per cent

▌1 < Value < 5 – 0.5%
▌5 < Value < 20 – 2.5%
28
Rheology
▌Rheology is the study of how matter deforms and flows. It

is primarily concerned with the relationship of shear stress
and shear rate and the impact these have on flow
characteristics inside tubulars and annular spaces.
▌Shear rate – pump volume, and shear stress – pump
pressure, really describe Viscosity – resistance to flowing
when a force is applied
▌Rheology is the science of viscosity
 Tells us what actually creates the viscosity we see
Rheological Properties
▌Plastic Viscosity
 Determined by size, shape, and number of solids in the
mud
 Measured in centipoise
 Needs to be as low as possible, but not specifically
controlled
▌Yield Point
 Measures the forces between the particles in the mud
 Relates to the carrying capacity of the fluid in motion
 Measured in lb/100 ft2
 Needs to be monitored and controlled
29
▌Gel Strengths
 Measures suspension capability of a drilling fluid while
at rest
 Measured at 10 seconds and 10 minutes
 Reported in lb/100 ft2
▌Why?
 Tells us what actually creates the viscosity we see
 Defines carrying ability when fluid is in motion
 Defines suspension ability when fluid is static
fann® Rheometers
Model 280 Field Rheometer Model 35A Viscometer
30
fann® model 280 Field Rheometer
Rheometer
fann® model 280

Field
Rheometer
31
Rheometer
Screw
on sleeve
Rheometer
Fill Cup
With Fluid
32
Rheometer
Lower Sleeve into Fluid

to Scribe Line
Rheometer
▌ 3 Speeds On Rheometer
 1100 rpm Used For Mixing Only
 600 rpm
 300 rpm
 Speed selector lever is under crank on rheometer
33
Model 280 FANN Viscometer
Rheometer
Dial
Turn Hand Crank

And Take
Readings From
Dial
34
Rheometer
DIAL READINGS
600 RPM Reading

- 300 RPM Reading
 Plastic Viscosity
300 RPM Reading
- Plastic Viscosity
 Yield Point
35
Gel Strengths
▌ Stir sample at 1100 rpm setting

▌ Move lever to 300 rpm setting to measure gel strengths
▌ Let rheometer sleeve stop
▌ Wait for 10 seconds
 Turn knob very slowly, approximately 3 rpm
▌ Read the maximum dial deflection as 10 sec gel
▌ Stir sample at 1100 rpm setting
▌ Move lever to 300 rpm setting
▌ Let rheometer sleeve stop
▌ Wait for 10 minutes
 Turn knob very slowly, approximately 3 rpm
 Read the maximum dial deflection as 10 min gel
4. Read maximum deflection of

the dial 1. Position hand crank in
upright position
2. Position speed
lever at 300 rpm
setting
3. Slowly rotate knurled
gel strength knob in a
clockwise direction at 3
rpm
© 2015 HALLIBURTON. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
36
Significant Change in Plastic Viscosity and Yield Point
▌A difference of ±3 on the same rheometer is considered

significant
Significant Change in Gel Strengths
▌A difference of ±3 on the same rheometer is considered

significant
37
Filtration
▌Measures filtrate volume and filter cake thickness

▌Measured with: API Filter Press
▌Filtrate reported in milliliters/30 minutes
▌Filter Cake reported in 32nds of an inch or millimeters
▌Why?
 Provide borehole stability
 Wallcake building
 Protect the formation and formation fluids
 Sample integrity
 Minimize stuck pipe
Filtration
38
Filtration
Filtration
Install
Boot
39
Filtration
Turn Upside
Down To Fill Boot
With Drilling Fluid
Filtration
Add Drilling
Fluid To Boot
to Just Below
Rim of Boot
40
Filtration
Use Specially
Hardened Filter
Paper
Filtration
Place Filter Paper

On Top of Boot
41
Filtration
Screw On Cap
Filtration
Invert Filter Press And

Make Sure The
Pressure Valve Is In
The Off Position
42
Filtration
Place CO2 Cartridge

In Barrel
Filtration
Hand Tighten Barrel

To Puncture CO2
Cartridge
43
Filtration
Place Graduated
Cylinder Underneath
Filter Press
Filtration
Move Pressure
Valve To On
Position
44
Filtration
Turn
T-handle to Increase
Pressure
to 100 psi
Filtration
Pressure Gauge at
100 psi
45
Filtration
Run the test for

30 minutes
Filtration
Back Off
T-Screw
46
Filtration
Move Pressure
Valve to
Off Position
Filtration
Invert Filter Press
47
Filtration
Unscrew Cap
Filtration
Carefully remove
filter paper and cake
Gently rinse cake
48
Filtration
Read filtrate volume to

nearest
1/10 ml
Filtration
▌For the half area filter press, filtrate volume is two times the
volume collected in the graduated cylinder
49
Filtration
Measure thickness
of filter cake in mm
or
1/32nd of an inch
Filtration
▌For the half area filter press filter cake thickness is not
doubled
50
Shortcut for Filtration Test
▌Run the test for 7½ minutes

at 100 psi
▌For the half area filter press
multiply the collected filtrate
volume by 4
▌Report the filter cake
thickness as measured
Filtration
Examine the
Composition and
Texture of the
Filter Cake
51
Significant Change - Filtrate Volume
▌A difference of ±0.4 ml for a half area filter press run for 30

minutes
▌A difference of ±0.8 ml for a half area filter press run for 7 ½
minutes
Points About Filtration Control
▌Filtercake develops only across permeable formations

 Bentonite platelet structure
▌Filtration Control Polymers
▌3-Part Mechanism
 physical plugging of openings in cake
 clay (solids) adsorption or encapsulation
 Viscosifying the water phase to increase “viscous drag”
through formation
52
Mechanics of Filtration
Formation Filter cake
Drill Pipe
Drilling
Fluid
Filtrate
Invasion
Filter Cake Deposition & Thickness
Bentonite Native Mud

53
Problems with High Filtrate
LOW- FILTRATE HIGH-FILTRATE

DRILLING FLUID DRILLING FLUID
FORMATION
INCREASE
CONTACT D
AREA CONTACT
AREA
FILTER CAKE
COMPOSITION
THIN THICK BORE HOLE WALL
Filtration
▌Low filtrate volumes generally denote tighter, firmer filter

cakes
▌Filtrate volume below 15 milliliters / 30 minutes are
desirable for most applications
▌Lower filtrates may be required in certain conditions
54
Properties of Drilling Fluids
▌ Density  Mass/volume or fluid weight

▌ Viscosity  Resistance to flow
▌ Rheological Properties  Flow Properties; PV, YP, Gel
strengths
▌ Filtration Properties  Filtrate volume and Filter cake
thickness
▌ Sand Content  Particles > 74 microns
▌ pH & Calcium  Chemical analysis
Questions?
55

2015-1-2 Properties and Testing of Drilling Fluids

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2015-1-2 Properties and Testing of Drilling Fluids

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Formats disponibles

Properties and Testing of

Drilling Fluid Properties are

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

Why Fluids Testing?

▌Drilling fluid properties determine if a drilling fluid can

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

▌Is the water ready to mix mud?

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

Total Hardness / Calcium Hardness

▌Measures the concentration of cations contributing to total

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved 7

Dip Indicator Strip Into Make-up

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved 8

Compare Color on Strip To

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved 9

Calcium Levels As Low As Possible

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

Treat Out Excess Calcium

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

Soda Ash in Water

𝑵𝒂𝟐 𝑪𝑶𝟑 + 𝟐𝑯𝟐 𝑶 → 𝟐𝑵𝒂+ + 𝑪𝑶= +

𝑵𝒂+ + 𝑶𝑯− ↔ 𝑵𝒂𝑶𝑯

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

Chemical Reaction from Addition of Soda Ash

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

▌ Indicates the Acidity or Alkalinity of a Fluid

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

Use Wide-Range pH Strips (0 To

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved 16

Dip pH strip in make-up water

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved 18

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

pH Reading After Adjustment

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved 20

▌Soda ash is a double positive for mixing mud

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

Viscosity: “RESISTANCE TO FLOW”

▌Thickness of the fluid

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

Marsh Funnel and Cup

▌ Field measurement of the thickness of a fluid

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

1 quart to scribe line

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

Marsh Funnel Viscosity

Viscosity of water at 20ºC (68º F)

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

▌Generally 30 to 75 seconds per quart

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

Significant Change in Funnel Viscosity

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

▌Raise by adding viscosifiers

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

▌Mass per unit volume

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved

▌Scale reads In Pounds Per Gallon (lb/gal), Specific Gravity,

© 2015 Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, All Rights Reserved