Optimization of the Solids Control Equipment System

The combination of fast drilling, gumbo clay, and conventional solids control equipment operations can create a variety of issues:

  • High losses of drilling fluid through the solids control units.
  • High volume of dilution.
  • High volumes of fluid processed requiring strictly regulated disposal to protect the environment.
  • Continuous plugging of the mesh in the solids control units.
  • Increase in the consumption of screens.
  • Fluid overflow due to plugging of the screw conveyors.
  • Poor supervision of the solids control units.
  • Increased operating costs.

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Drilling Mud Usage

In the drilling process, mud materials (barite, water, treating chemicals, etc) are mixed almost continuously to maintain desired mud properties. Drilling mud usage is defined as the volume of mud that is lost with the
drilling operation. This should be contrasted with mud consumption which is the total volume of mud created to support the drilling operation.

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Vaccum Degasser Design Solves Mud Gas Separation Problems

Vaccum Degasser Design Concept Formulation

The new Vaccum Degasser design was formulated from basic principles used in the chemical processing industry. Standard chemical engineering principles that apply to the design of packed towers were the basis for this new design. These principles deal with efficient phase disengagement to provide’ effective gas absorption or gas strip-ping. Specifically, in the top inlet section of a typical packed tower, the overriding operating principles are effective gas/liquid phase disengagement and uniform inlet liquid distribution over the entire tower cross-sectional area.

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