Drilling Muds - Design, Optimisation and Maintenance

Presenter: Sheik Rahman

Overview
A self-paced course designed for individuals seeking in depth knowledge of water and oil based muds (low toxic to non-toxic) and completion fluids, testing procedure, product system formulation calculation of pressure losses in pipes and annuli and bit nozzle optimisation. The theory is combined with 'hands-on' problem solving using local case studies and API mud tests using a mobile mud lab. Provide the participants with: Knowledge of designing appropriate programming of drilling and completion fluids for different hole sections and pay zones. Training and skill to formulate different mud systems and maintain and control desired mud properties. Knowledge of mud related hole problems and formulation of appropriate mud system to control these problems. Ability to conduct API mud tests. Ability to diagnose and prevent mud related hole problems during drilling. Knowledge of how to treat drilling muds to control drill pipe and casing corrosion. Knowledge of how to control mud solids.

Contents
Introduction to drilling, completion and workover fluids, composition and related properties of different mud chemicals: clays, polymers, weighting materials, lost circulation and fluid loss additives, shale inhibition chemicals, lubricating materials and corrosion additives. Note: an emphasis is also made on polymer chemistry and the application and limitation of polymers in drilling muds Oil based muds: Composition and properties of oil based muds, application of oil based fluids in drilling through shales and completing wells with particular emphasis on horizontal wells. Designing appropriate mud programs for different hole sections and pay zones: calculation of mud density based on pore pressure data and hole volumes; selection of mud chemicals and formulation of drilling muds with appropriate rheology (plastic viscosity, gel strength and yield point) and water loss properties for different hole sections. Hands-on-training on measurements of API mud properties: Alkalinity, calcimetry, hardness, solid content, pH, rheology (apparent viscosity, plastic viscosity, gel strength and yield point), water loss and mud density. Formulation of mud systems for special hole conditions: sloughing of holes, shale inhibitive muds, lost circulation, excessive torque and stuck pipe, weighted mud for high pressure wells, low solid polymer mud, high temperature and salt tolerant mud and non-damaging completion fluids (both solid containing and solid free muds), low toxic and non toxic muds, glycol muds etc.

School of Petroleum Engineering, UNSW, 2004

Page 25 of 60

Copyright These materials are copyright. Other than permitted by the relevant legislation, these materials (in whole or in part) must not be reproduced in any form or by any means (electronic, magnetic, mechanical, recording or otherwise) or transmitted without the prior written permission of the School of Petroleum Engineering, UNSW.

Mud contamination and treatment: Sources of mud contamination and appropriate chemicals and methods for treating muds. Solid control equipment and maintenance: effects of solids on fluid properties (rheology, density, water loss etc.), basic operating principles and selection considerations of different solid control equipment (shale shaker, centrifuge, hydrocyclone etc.), hook-up and maintenance of solid control equipment, and treatment of mud for effective solid separation. Prevention of drill pipe corrosion: Basic theory of metal corrosion, sources of corrosive agents in fluids, treatment of fluids to remove corrosive agents, monitoring and control of corrosion of drill pipes and casings. Cost estimation of muds Case study of drilling in high pressure, lost circulation wells slough shales sections.

School of Petroleum Engineering, UNSW, 2004

Page 26 of 60

Copyright These materials are copyright. Other than permitted by the relevant legislation, these materials (in whole or in part) must not be reproduced in any form or by any means (electronic, magnetic, mechanical, recording or otherwise) or transmitted without the prior written permission of the School of Petroleum Engineering, UNSW.