Part (I) :

Functions of drilling fluids

5.1.1 Cool the drilling bit and
lubricate its teeth
One of the prime functions of drilling fluid or
mud is to cool the drill bit and lubricate its teeth .
The drilling fluid also helps remove drill cuttings
from the spaces between the teeth of the bit ,
thereby preventing bit balling.
5.1.2 Lubricate and cool the drill string

A rotary drill string generates a considerable

amount of heat. The mud helps to cool the drill
string by absorbing this heat and releasing it to the
air surrounding the surface pit tanks. The mud also,
provides lubrication by reducing friction between drill
string and borehole walls. Lubrication is normally
achieved by the addition of bentonite, oil, graphite
etc.
5.1.3.Control formation pressure

 For safe drilling formation pressure must be

contained within the hole to prevent damage to
equipment and injury to personal. The drilling mud
achieves this by providing a hydrostatic pressure just
greater than the formation pressure. For effective
drilling, the difference between the hydrostatic and
formation pressure should by zero. In practice, an
overbalance of 100 to 200 psi (trip margin) is
normally used to provide an adequate safe guard
against well kick.
 The pressure overbalance is sometimes referred to as
chip hold down pressure (CHDP), and its value directly
influences penetration rate. In general, penetration rate
decreases as the CHDP increases. When an abnormally
pressured formation is encountered, he CHDP becomes
negative and sudden increase in penetration rate is
observed. This is normally taken as an indication of a
well kick.
5.1.4 carry cuttings out of the hole

For effective drilling ,cuttings generated by the bit

must be removed immediately .the drilling mud
carries these cuttings up the hole and to the
surface , to be separated from the mud .hence ,
mud must also process the necessary properties to
allow cuttings to be separated at the surface and
to be recirculated.
The carrying capacity of mud depends on several
factors , including annular velocity , plastic velocity
and yield point of the mud and slip velocity of the
drilling cuttings .
In general , the resultant velocity (or lift
velocity ,Va. and slip velocity ,Vs By use of
the power law model , the slip velocity of
cuttings is given by the following formula :

175D p (  p   m )0.667
Vs  0.333 0.333
ft / min
m e
Where :
 Dp =particle diameter (in)
 =density of particle (cuttings)
 =density of mud (ppg)

 =effective mud viscosity (cp)

5.1.5 stabilize the well bore to prevent
it from caving -in:

The formation of a good mud cake helps to

stabilize the walls of the plaster to interior
house walls. The pressure differential
between the hydrostatic pressure of mud
and that of the borehole stable .shale
stability is largely dependent on the type of
the mud used . at last , it should be noted
that the best way to keep a hole stable is to
reduce the time during which the hole kept
open .
5.1.6 help in the evaluation and
interpretation of well logs:
 
Wire line logs are run in the mud-filled holes in
order to ascertain the existence and size of
hydrocarbon zones . open holes are also run to
determine porosity , boundaries between
formation , location of geopressured or
(abnormally pressured ) formations and the site
for the next well .Hence , the drilling mud must
possess such properties that it will aid the
production of good logs .
5.1.7 limiting corrosion of drilling equipment
 
 The drilling fluid in most cases will have water that
contains dissolved salts as its base liquid .this serves as
a medium in which corrosion takes place . if corrosion
is suspected , then the cause should be determined and
steps taken to prevent damage of equipment . it has
been found that in muds containing oil as the
continuous phase , little or no corrosion occurs .
5.2 Composition of drilling fluids :
 
 Any drilling fluid or mud is composed of the
following:
liquid :
1)water
2)oil
solids :
1)inert , non-reactive component .
2)sand silica , limestone , chert , dolomite
3)barite .
Water base muds consists of four components:
(1)liquid water.
(2) reactive fractions.
(3) inert fractions .
(4) chemical additives.
The reactive fractions of mud are low gravity solids, while
the inert fractions can be low or high gravity solids.
5.3 Types of drilling fluids:
 
Three types of drilling fluid are in common use:
1. Water base mud
2. Oil base mud
3. Emulsion mud
Reactive fractions of mud solids 5.3.1.1

Clays are added to provide the viscosity and yield point

properties necessary to lift drill cuttings or to keep them in
suspension.
1.bentonitic clay
2.Attapulgite (or salt gel): has the ability to develop the
required high viscosity in both fresh and saltwater.
5.3.1.2 Natural of clays

clays are natural, fine-grained materials that develop

plasticity when wet .
The major source of calys used commercially is volcanic
ash.
The characteristic feature of clay minerals is that they
possess an atomic structure in which the atoms from
layers.
There are three types of atomic layers :

Tetrahedral layers.
Octahedral layers.
Exchangeable layers.
5.3.1.3 Hydration of clays
Overall hydration leads to the transformation of clay from
a dry powder to a plastic slurry with an increase in volume
of several hundred percent.
The effectiveness of this process is measured by the clay
yield defined as the number of barrels of 15 CP mud
obtained from 1 ton (2000 1b) of dry clay.
In general the clay yield depends on:
1. The purity of the clay.
2. The nature of the atoms present in the
exchangeable layer.
3. The salinity of the water used.
: Bentoite and attapulgite 5.3.1.4

Bentonite
is a roll formation consisting of montmorillonite.
The most common natural varieties of bentonite are
.those with sodium and cesium as exchangeable ions
Attapulgite
belongs to a quite different family Instead of crystallizing
as platy crystals, attapulgite forms needle like crystalsof
.clay minerals
.Advatage: have excellent viscosity and yield strength
Disadvantage : suffering high water loss, giving poor
sealing properties
5.3.1.5 Dispertion, flocculation and
deflocculation

When a suspension of clay and water is agitated, three

modes of plate association occur: (1) edge to edge; (2)
face to edge; and (3) face to face.
Depending on the type of plate association, four
different states can be distinguished: (1)dispersion; (2)
aggregation; (3)flocculation; and (4)deflocculation.
5.3.1.5 Dispertion, flocculation and
deflocculation
Dispersion : individual plates are suspended in solution,)1(
with no face or edge association
results in an increase in viscosity and gel strength
Aggregation : Face-to-face association of the individual )2(
plates
results in a decrease in viscosity and gel strength
(3)Flocculation : clay plate join one another through the
edge and face
results in excessive gelation
(4)Deflocculation : The resulting suspension when the edge-
to-edge association in flocculation is broken up a
chemical thinner
5.3.1.6 inert fraction of mud

Inert fractions of mud include low gravity and high

gravity solids
High gravity solids :
are added to increase the weight or density of mud
Ex: Barite(BaSO4) ; specific gravity of 4.2 ; prepare mud
densities in excess of 10 ppg
Lead silphide such as galena ; specific gravities ( in the
range 6.5 to7 ) ; ) allowing mud weight of up to 35 ppg
 Dispersion
this describes the bentonite platelets after they
have been separated on from another by hydration and
agitation. The repelling forces between the faces of the
platelets predominate.
 Aggregation
this is the opposite of dispersion. The clay platelets or
stacked loosely together in bundles.
 Flocculation
this is an edge to edge to face clumping of platelets or
tacks of platelets caused by the attraction forces.
 Deflocculation
the opposite of flocculation the attractive forces have
been neutralized and the platelets or stacks of platelets
are separated.
5.4.1 native mud
5.4.2 Calcium muds
5.4.3 Lignosulphonate mud
5.4.4 KCl/Polymer muds
5.4.5 Salt-saturated muds
 native mud 5.4.1

This mud is made by pumping water down the hole

during drilling and letting it react with formations
containing clays or shales.
 The water dissolves the clays and returns to the surface
as mud.
This mud is characterised by its high solids content and a
high filter loss resulting in a thick filler cake.
Calcium muds 5.4.2
 The swelling and hydration of clays and shales can be
greatly reduced when calcium mud is used as the drilling
fluid.
 Calcium muds are superior to freshwater muds when
drilling massive sections of gypsum and anhydrite as
they are not susceptible to calcium contamination.
5.4.2 Calcium muds
Lime Mud : this mud contains up to 120 ppm of soluble
calcium.
 (b) Gyp Mud: this mud contains up to 1200 ppm of
soluble calcium.

 Gyp muds also possess a greater temperature stability

than lime muds.


Lignosulphonate mud 5.4.3
components
 freshwater or saltwater.
 Bentonite .
 chrome .
 lignosulphonate .
 caustic soda.
 CMC.
Lignosulphonate mud 5.4.3

adventages
This mud type is considered to be suitable when:
 high mud densities are required > 1 4
 working under moderately high temperatures of F (121 to
149°C).
 high tolerance for contamination by drilled solids.
 Low filter loss is required.
Lignosulphonate mud 5.4.3
disadvantage
 of this type of mud is the damage it causes to production
zone permeability

 This mud type is not suitable for drilling shale sections

due to adsorption of water from the mud by the clay
surfaces with ultimate heaving of the shale section.
 The mud is now seldom used.
KCl/Polymer muds 5.4.4
basic components
A. fresh water or sea water.
B. KCI.
C. Inhibiting polymer.
D. Viscosity building polymer .
E. Stabilized starch or CMC.
F. Lubricants.
 KCl/Polymer muds 5.4.4

Advantages:
A. High shear thinning behavior facilitating solids removal
through the shale shaker, desanders and desilters.
B. High true yield strength.
C. Improve borehole stability
D. Good bit hydraulic and reduced circulating pressure losses.
E. non-dispersed mud.
F. suitable for drilling potentially productive sands
(hydrocarbon zones)
KCl/Polymer muds 5.4.4
Disadventages
 Not stable at high temperatures.
 require the use of efficient desandcrs and desilter to
remove the very fine cuttings.
Salt-saturated muds 5.4.5
components
a. fresh, brine or seawater.
b. common salt (NaCl).
c. encapsulating polymer.
d. CMC or starch.

A salt saturated mud is one in which the water phase is

saturated with sodium chloride.
Salt-saturated muds 5.4.5
 Normally the concentration of sail is in excess of 315000
ppm.
 This mud is suitable for drilling salt domes and salt sections.
 When used with a polymer, salt saturated mud can be used
to inhibit the swelling of bentonitic shales.
This type of mud is characterized by its low tolerance to high
concentrations of low gravity solids (e.g. drilled solids) and
its high requirement for filter-loss additives.
Oil base mud 5.5
Advantages:
1. Drill hole with severe
shale problems.
2. More stable at high
temperature.
3. It does not damage
hydro carbon bearing
zones.
Oil base mud 5.5

Disadvantages:
1. The environment is contaminated
2. Flammability becomes hazard
3. Removal of drilled solids is more difficult
4. Electric logging is very difficult
Emulsion mud 5.6
Normally contain 5%-10% of
oil by volume.
Advantages:
1. Oil increase the rate of
penetration
1. Reduce lost of
circulation
2. Reduce drag and torque
in directional wells
 The emulsion can be
sodium soap emulsifier .
properties of drilling fluid 5.7
properties of drilling fluid 5.7

Mud weight or mud

density
1. It is defined as the mass
of the mud divided by
its volume.
2. It depend largely on the
quantity of solids in
liquid phases.
3. It is measured by mud
balance .
Equipment:

The mud weight may be determined using any instrument that will permit accurate measurement within 1/10 lb/gal or Vi lb/cu.
ft. The mud balance is the instrument generally used. Mud weight can be expressed in lb/gal. lb/cu. ft., psi/1000 ft. of depth or
specific gravity (S.G.).
Procedure:
• Fill the cup with the mud to be weighed.
• Place the lid on the cup and seat it firmly but slowly with a twisting
motion. Be sure some mud mns out of the hole in the cap.
• With the hole in the cap covered with a finger, wash or wipe all
mud from the outside of the cup and arm.
• Set the knife on the fulcrum and move the sliding weight alone the
graduated arm until the cup and arm are balanced.
• Read the density of the mud at the left-hand edge of the sliding
weight.
• Report the result to the nearest scale division in lb gal. lb cu ft.
S.G., or psi 1000 ft of depth.
• Wash the mud from the cup immediately after each use. It is
absolutely essential that all parts of the mud balance be kept clean
if accurate results are to be obtained.
•
Calibration:
The mud balance should be calibrated frequently with fresh water. Fresh water at 70° F will give a reading
of 8.33 lb/gal or 62.3 Ibs/cu ft.
To adjust the mud balance to the proper reading, add or remove lead shot from end of balance ami or
.adjust set screw at the end of the balance ami
Viscosity is a property which control the
magnitude of the shear stress which develop as
One layer of fluid slide over anther .it's a measure of
the friction between the layers of the Fluid and
provides a scale for describing the thickness of a
given fluid viscosity is largely dependent on
temperature and for liquids decreases with
increasing temperature ; the reverse
Is true for gases
The Viscometer
Procedures:-
1-This instrument consists of two cylinders
2-A fresh sample of mud is placed in a cylindrical
container in which the instrument head is immerged
3-we measure
4-we measure
The result
March Funnel

Procedure:
1-hold the funnel in upright position with index finger over
outlet.
2-pour the test sample taken from the mud system through
the screen into a clean funnel until mud level just reaches
(1500 ml).
3-remove the finger from the outlet tube and measure the
number of seconds for a quart(946) of the drilling mud
sample to run out.
Results:
This time is taken as the march funnel viscosity.
Yield point 5.7.2.2
The yield point is a measure of the attractive forces
between particles of the mud resulting from the presence
of of a negative and a positive charges on these particles.
The yield point is a measure of the force that cause mud
to gel once it is montionless and it directly affect the
carrying capacity of mud. The yielding of mud can be
compared to the yielding of metals in that a minimum
level of stress ( the yield stress ) must be provided before
deformation of mud achieved.
 Gel Strength 5.7.2.3

Gel strength is a measure of the ability of mud to develop

and retain a gel structure. It is analogous to shear
strength, and defines the ability of mud to hold solids in
suspension. It also gives an indication of the thixotropic
properties of mud and, consequently, the thickness of
quiescent mud. Thixotropy refers to the ability of a
suspension of fluid such as mud to develop a semi-solid
structure when at rest, and to assume a liquid state when
in motion.
Gel Strength
The gel strength of mud can be determined using a
viscometer. The sample of mud is stirred at high speed
and then allowed to redt for either 10 s to 10 s and
another after 10 min, are taken to represent the initial
gel strength and the 10 min gel strength, respectively. Gel
strength is read in lb/100 ft2 directly, and to convert to
metric units, the value should be multiplied by a factor of
0.478 .
Filtrate and filter cake 5.7.3

When drilling mud comes into contact with porous rock, the
rock acts as a screen allowing the fluid and small solid to pass
through, retaining the larger solids.

What is the filtrate ?

The fluid lost to the rock is described as filtrate.

What is the filter cake ?

 The layer of solids deposited on the rock surface is described

as filter cake
Continue.. Filtrate and filter cake
 The quality of mud is dependent on:

A. the volume of the lost to the formation

B. the thickness and strength of the filter cake.

The volume of filtrate and thickness of the filter cake of a

mud sample can be determined using a filter press.
Continue.. Filtrate and filter cake
The apparatus consists of:

A. A filter cell mounted in a frame,

B. A pressure source
C. A graduated cylinder

An ideal mud is one which has a small water loss and
deposits a thin, tough filter cake on the surfaces of
permeable formations.

Continue.. Filtrate and filter cake
 A number of additives may be used to reduce the
volume of water loss. These include:

A. bentonite
B. emulsified oil
C. dispersants
D.CMC
E. starch
‫‪: Work Team‬‬

‫)‪sec. (1‬‬ ‫‪‬أسعد عمر عبد العزيز غزالة‬

‫)‪sec. (2‬‬ ‫‪‬أنس محمد عبد الستار مجاهد‬
‫)‪sec. (3‬‬ ‫‪‬محمد رمضان محمد سلطان‬
‫)‪sec. (3‬‬ ‫‪‬محمد خالد عبد القوى زىدان‬
‫)‪sec. (4‬‬ ‫‪‬محمد مجدى محمد الصباحى‬
‫)‪sec. (4‬‬ ‫‪‬محمد عهدى كامل الباز‬
‫)‪sec. (4‬‬ ‫‪‬محمود محمد عبد العزىز ىوسف‬
‫‪‬اسالم على صدىق حالوة )‪sec. (2‬‬
‫‪‬أحمد بسيونى محمد نصر البنا )‪sec. (1‬‬
‫‪‬كامل السيد ابراهيم البلىهى )‪sec. (3‬‬
‫‪‬أحمد طارق أمين الشاعر )‪sec. (1‬‬
‫)‪sec. (3‬‬ ‫‪‬عمرو ابراهيم عيسى النصيرى‬
‫‪‬محمد عزب فتحى قنديل )‪sec. (3‬‬