A major component in drilling operation success is drilling fluid performance. The cost of searching for hydrocarbon reserves becomes more expensive when drilling occurs offshore, in deep water, and in hostile environments. These drilling environments require fluids that excel in performance. Measuring fluid performance requires the evaluation of all key drilling parameters and their associated cost. Simply stated, the effectiveness of a fluid is judged by its influence on overall well cost. This chapter discusses the various fundamentals of drilling fluids and their performance in assuring a safe and expeditious drilling operation at minimum overall cost.
MUD CONDITIONING TESTS
These tests are used to determine the shaker mesh size required to provide protection against screen impairment and quantify the mud plugging index (MPI) to be used on the rig to control mud quality prior to running the screen in the hole.
TYPES OF DRILLING MUDS
Drilling fluids are generally categorized as “water-based” or “oil-based”, and as “weighted” or “unweighted” muds.
Evaluate The Efficiency Of Solids Control Equipment
The volume and type of solids in a drilling mud system can adversely affect mud properties, reduce penetration rates, cause damage to drilling equipment, and increase total drilling costs. Efficiency controlling the solids content of the mud system is an important phase of an efficient and cost-effective drilling program. The three basic methods of removing solids are dilution and/or displacement of whole mud, settling and mechanical solids-control equipment.
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