Experiment 4a. API Filtration Test: API High-Pressure/High Temperature (HPHT) Filter Press.

Aim and objective of the experiment: To determine the filtration rate of mud and the spurt loss volume of the filtrate in high pressure and temperature through a HPHT Filter Press. This helps to optimize the effectiveness of the drilling fluid. Results and Discussion: The tables below show the results obtained for mud 2 and mud 3 after the API high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) filtration test at 200 F with a 200psi differential. Mud 2: Time, t (min) 1 4 7.5 9 16 25 30 36 Mud Layer thickness: Spurt loss: Sqrt(t) 1 2 2.73861278752583 3 4 5 5.47722557505166 5 0.22 in 2.5cc Filtrate Volume (cc) 4.9 9.9 13.4 15 19.25 22.75 26 25.75

Physical Properties of the filter cake: Solid, Silky, smooth The standard filter loss: at t=30 mins: 26 cc Diameter of the filter paper: Area of the filter paper: Thickness of the filter cake per unit area of filter paper: Temperature: High Differential Pressure: 0.0636inch-1 200F 200psi 2.1 inch 3.46 inch2

35 30 25 Volume (cc) 20 15 10 5 0 0 2 4 Sqrt(t) mins 6 8 Linear (HPHT Fitler press) Linear (Normal Filtrate)

Fig 1: effect of high pressure and temperature on the rate of fluid lost compared to normal pressure and temperature

The graph on the above shows the effect of pressure and temperature on the rate at with the fluid is lost through the rock surface for mud 2. Comparing the two trendlines we can see that the rate of fluid being lost of the formation is higher in higher pressure and temperature as suppose to standard pressure and standard temperature and pressure. This can be seen by comparing the slope of the two trendlines Mud 3 Time, t (mins) 1 4 7.5 9 16 25 30 36 Mud Layer thickness: Spurt loss: Sqrt(t) 1 2 2.73861278752583 3 4 5 5.47722557505166 6 0.13 in 0.2cc filtrate volume (cc) 1 4.2 6.1 6.7 9 11 12 13.2

Physical Properties of the filter cake: very firm, flexible The standard filter loss: at t=30 mins: 12 cc Diameter of the filter paper: Area of the filter paper: 2.1 inch 3.46 inch2

Thickness of the filter cake per unit area of filter paper: Temperature: High Differential Pressure:
16 14 12 Axis Title 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 1 2 3 4 Axis Title 5 6 7 y = 2.2958x - 0.6091 HPHT Filter Press Normal Fitler Press Linear (HPHT Filter Press) Linear (Normal Fitler Press) y = 2.354x - 0.6967

0.0376inch-1 200F 200psi

Fig 3: effect of high pressure and temperature on the rate of fluid lost compared to Normal pressure and temperature

The graph on the left shows the effect of pressure and temperature on the rate at with the fluid is lost through the rock surface. Comparing trend line 1 and 2 we can see that the rate of fluid being lost of the formation is only slightly higher in higher pressure and temperature as suppose to standard pressure and standard temperature and pressure. This can be seen by comparing the slope of the two trend lines. Comparing the results of mud 3 with mud 2, we can see that the composition of mud 3 mostly the polymer is preventing mud three from being lost at a higher rate in higher temperature and pressure (200F and 200psi). The results from this test show that the increasing temperature and pressure can have an effect on the filtration. These effects can be minimized by using additives such as polymers as results from mud 3 illustrates. The filtration rate from the filter cake for mud 3 was 2.35cc and 2.29cc for high temperature/high pressure and normal temperature and pressure respectively. One of the primary effects of increase in temperature on the drilling fluid is the decrease in fluidphase viscosity. This could lead to a decrease in filter cake thickness and increasing the amount of mud filtrate going into the formation causing various hole problems and formation damage.

Conclusion and Recommendations: It can be concluded that the effect of Temperature and pressure has an effect on the spurt loss and the filtration rate which can be seen from mud 2. This can be controlled by adding polymers like in mud 3. The precision of this experiment could be improved by measuring the pH and resistivity over a number of times. The accuracy can be improved by using different equipment inorder to decrease the significant errors.

Experiment 4b: Determination of pH Aim: To determine the pH of drilling mud using a pH meter. Observation: Not much observation was made as we didnt have the pH meter so we couldnt carry about the exact experiment. One of the muds when tasted had a caustic soda taste. Results: Mud sample 1 2 3 pH 9.67 9.66 9.51 Temperature (C),( F) 19.3, 66.74 19.6, 67.28 19.6, 67.28

pH is defined as the negative log of hydrogen ions. The above results were given to us by the lab instructor calculated from a previous experiment. As pH for all three muds are greater than 7, they are all alkaline. The pH value suggests that the muds have been designed to avoid corrosion of equipment and to reduce effects of hole damage through erosion and avoid flocculation. It is important to maintain the pH in a required range as it could cause damages to the formation or the drill pipe. If the pH is less than 7, then it could cause corrosion on the casing, drill sting and other bottom-hole assembly. If the pH is greater than 7, then it could cause erosion. For a pH greater then 7, the fluid is basic and this basic fluid dissolves calcite in the mud and causes the salt formation to collapse. Special care should be provided to mud with additives in them. Mud with biological additives such as starch with a pH value of less than 11.5 is susceptible to bacterial attack and decay. Problem *1 Calculate the amount of caustic (NAOH) required to increase the pH of the mud obtained from the experiment to 11. Molecular weight of caustic: 40 Product constant of water, Kw=1.0x10-14. The required pOH is 3. So, the hydroxide ions concentration is:

Mud Sample: 1 2

pH 9.67 9.66

pOH 4.33 4.34

[OH-] Mol/l

Change in [ ] Mol/l 1.0E-3-4.67E-5 =9.533E-4 1.0E-3-4.57E-5 =9.543E-4 1.0E-3-4.67E-5 =9.67E-4

Weight required. (g/l) 9.533E-4*40 =0.0381 9.543E-4*40 =0.0382 9.67E-4*40 =0.0387

9.51

4.49

Experiment 4c: Mud resistivity Measurement Aim and objective of the experiment: To measure the resistivity of different samples of mud using a resistivity meter. Observation: A calibrated resistivity cell was used to measure the resistivity of the different samples of mud. The lap instructor filled the clean, dry resistivity cell with fresh mud sample. He then calculated the resistivity to the nearest 0.01 ohm-meter by connecting the cell to the device. The temperature was also measured and recorded. The table of results below shows the resistivity and temperature for different mud samples. Results: Mud sample 1 2 3 Resistivity in ohm meters 2.7 2.8 5 Temperature (C),( F) 19.3, 66.74 19.6, 67.28 19.6, 67.28

From the table above, we can see that mud sample 1 and 2 have a similar resistivity where as mud 3 has a comparatively higher resistivity. This is due of the composition of mud 3. Mud 1 and 2 were a mixture of bentonite and barite whereas mud 3 contained 0.15%of polymer. The polymer increased the viscosity of the mud which increases the resistivity. Conclusions and recommendations pH and resistivity meters were used to determine the pH values of the mud in sample 1, 2 and 3. It can be concluded that the pH of all the three mud were maintained greater than 7 inorder to reduce corrosion and avoid flocculation. The mud resistivity calculated showed that the composition plays a vital role in determining the resistivity. Polymers add to the resistivity. The precision of this experiment could be improved by measuring the pH and resistivity over a number of times. The accuracy can be improved by using different equipment inorder to decrease the significant errors.