Drilling Fluids

Mud is the
lifeblood of the drilling operation
April - 2008
MUD CIRCULATION AND
SOLIDS REMOVAL
 Drilling Fluid Functions
 1. Remove cuttings from the well.
 2. Control formation pressures.
 3. Suspend and release cuttings.
 4. Seal permeable formations.
 5. Maintain well bore stability.
 6. Minimize reservoir damage.
 7. Cool, lubricate, and support the bit and drilling assembly.
 8. Transmit hydraulic energy to tools and bit.
 9. Ensure adequate formation evaluation.
 10. Control corrosion.
 1. REMOVE CUTTINGS FROM
THE WELL
 Cuttings removal (hole cleaning) is a function
of:
 Cuttings size, shape & density
 ROP

 Drill string rotation

 Mud viscosity & density

 Annular velocity of the drilling fluid

 REMOVE CUTTINGS FROM .1
THE WELL
 Generally, higher-viscosity fluids improve cuttings
transport
 higher annular velocity improves cuttings removal
 high velocities may cause turbulent flow, which helps
clean the hole but may cause other drilling or well
bore problems
 If the annular velocity of the drilling fluid is greater
than the slip velocity of the cutting, the cutting will
be transported to the surface
 REMOVE CUTTINGS FROM .1
THE WELL
 Cuttings transport in high-angle and horizontal
wells is more difficult than in vertical wells
since the cuttings settle to the low side of the
hole
 REMOVE CUTTINGS FROM .1
THE WELL
 High density fluids aid hole cleaning by
increasing the buoyancy forces acting on the
cuttings
 Higher rotary speeds also aid hole cleaning by
introducing a circular component to the
annular flow path
 CONTROLLING FORMATION
PRESSURES
 The pore pressure depends on:
 The density of the overlying rock
 The pressure of the interstitial fluid

 If the fluid hydrostatic pressure does not balance the

pore pressure the following may occur:
 Influxes of formation fluid into the wellbore
 Lost circulation
 Stuck pipe
 CONTROLLING FORMATION
PRESSURES
 The pressure balancing the formation pressure is
composed from the hydrostatic pressure under static
conditions:
 P = Depth (ft) x Density (ppg) x 0.052

 Under circulating conditions the effective pressure is

increased by the pumping pressure. This forms the
Equivalent Circulating density (ECD):
 ECD = Density (ppg) + Ann Press Loss
Depth x 0.052
 SUSPEND AND RELEASE
CUTTINGS
 quick as possible at surface
 Several properties and parameters influence cuttings removal
rates :
 Viscosity
 Gel strength
 Velocity
 A gel structure is required to suspend the cuttings under
zero shear conditions:
 The gel structure is caused by attractive forces which develop in
the fluid.
 The longer the fluid is static the stronger these forces become
 The gel structure should be easily broken
 The gel properties are especially important for deviated and
horizontal wells as the distance solids have to settle is very small
 SEAL PERMEABLE
FORMATIONS
 Damage to the formation while drilling to the
reservoir:
 Formation swelling (Normally clay and Salt formations)
 Washouts (Clay and Salt formations or any
unconsolidated formation)
This can result in:
 Difficult directional control
 Poor zonal isolation
 Excess mud and cement costs
 Poor Hole Cleaning
 Stuck Pipe
 Difficult fishing jobs
 Damage to the reservoir will result in loss of
production or the need for remedial treatment. This
can result from:

 Solids blocking reservoir pores

 Emulsion droplets blocking reservoir pores
 Swelling clays
 Ions from the formation and drilling fluid
forming insoluble salts
 SEAL PERMEABLE
FORMATIONS
 The filter cake reduces the flow of fluid into the
formation.

 The filter cake should be thin with a low

permeability
 This avoids reducing the effective hole diameter
 It also reduces the chance of differential
sticking
 COOL & LUBRICATION
 The drilling fluid removes heat from the bit which is then
dispersed at the surface
 Fluid formulations are not changed to improve this
function
 Extra lubrication may be required between the drill string and
the casing or wellbore, especially in directional wells
 Liquid additives are used, or Oil based mud
 Solid additives are sometimes used such as glass beads,
plastic beads, graphite or nut plug
 Drill pipe rubbers are sometimes added to reduce wear
between the casing and drill pipe
 TRANSMIT HYDRAULIC
ENERGY
TO TOOLS AND BIT
 Power Downhole motors

 Turbines to turn the bit or power MWD /

LWD equipment

 Transfer information from measurement

equipment to the surface
 This is done with a pressure pulse
 ENSURE ADEQUATE
FORMATION EVALUATION
 The operator will always require the following
information:

 Rock type being drilled

 The cuttings should not dissolve or disintegrate
 Analyses of gases
 The gases should separate easily from the mud
 CONTROL CORROSION
 The fluid should be non corrosive to the:
 Drill string
 Casing
 Surface equipment

 Corrosion can lead to:

 Wash outs
 Twist offs
 Pump failure
 Surface Leaks
 Support to string weight
 Aids in supporting part of the weight of the
drill string and casing
 The degree of buoyancy is directly
proportional to the density of the fluid.