C&PE 219

Drilling Fluids Laboratory

API Filter Loss of Drilling Fluids

Abstract:

Fluid loss into formation is due to the greater hydrostatic pressure exerted on the

formation. This phenomenon may give severe drilling problems such as stuck pipe, formation

damage and poor cementing job. Thus, the use of fluid loss control agent could reduce the

tendency of fluid loss into formation. The API fluid loss test, which is used only with Water

Based Muds, determines the static filtration characteristics of the mud and the need for treatment

with fluid loss additives. Fluid loss must be maintained within the programmed specification to

limit potential for differential sticking and formation damage in the reservoir.

Purpose:

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the effect of starch on API Filter Loss of

an attapulgite (salt water) drilling fluid contaminated with salt.

Equipment and Supplies:

To perform this experiment was used the following apparatus below:

 Filter press apparatus

Mud balance

Hamilton Beach mixer

Filter paper

Stainless steel mixing containers (6)

Blender

Beakers (6)

25 ml graduated cylinders

Timer (electronic)

Salt

Clay

Starch

Water

Experimental procedure:

1) Mud preparation: first of all the mud needed to be prepared in three different

profiles. The initial mud was prepared using (x grams) of clay and (x litters) of water. This

content was mixed using the Hamilton Beach mixer, and then it was collected into two beakers

of approximately 350 ml. Thus, an amount of this mud remained on the mixer recipient. The

second mud was prepared adding (x grams) of salt to the mud which was left on the mixer

recipient, and then it was mixed one more time. Also, this new mud was collected into two

beakers exactly as used previously. The last mud was prepared adding (x grams) of starch to the
mixer recipient that contained the mud which was left in the second mixture. It was mixed and

collected into two beakers as well. To clarify, one of each type of mud beaker was sealed and

guarded to be used and studied one week ahead.

2) Filtration: the three muds prepared and collected were mixed individually in a

blender for five minutes. Each mud was mixed sequentially. After this process the muds were

transferred into stainless steel containers. There was a process to assemble these containers. Once

the container was full of mud, an O ring was placed at the open end of the container and a

paper filter was installed on top of the O ring. The container cover was placed and tightened

(hand tight only), and then the assembled container was placed in the rack in one of the open

slots (there were places for 6 containers). In sequence, the gas cylinder was opened and 100 psig

was applied in the container placed in the rack. After all these steps the apparatus was ready and

the filtration experiment started. The same procedure was repeated one week ahead to these

muds that were sealed and guarded.

Results and analysis:

The results obtained are shown through the graphics below. The data represent the

correlation between volume and filtration time. All graphics are the type: volume (mL) x t.

Each sample of mud, fresh and aged, has a demonstration of its behavior displayed in the

appropriate diagram.

Fresh muds:
 Clay + Water
(fresh mud)
14.00
12.00
Vol ume (mL)

10.00
8.00
6.00
4.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50
t (minutes )

Clay + Water + Salt

(fresh mud)
35.00
30.00
Vol ume (mL)

25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50

t (minutes)

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

Clay + Water + Salt + Starch

(fresh mud)
6.00
5.00
Vol ume (mL)

4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50
t (minutes)

Diagram 3
 Aged muds:

Clay + Water Clay + Water + Salt + Starch

(aged mud) (aged mud)
19.00 6.00
17.00 5.00
Vol ume (mL)

Vol ume (mL)

15.00 4.00
13.00 3.00
11.00 2.00
9.00 1.00
7.00 0.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50

t (minute) t (minutes)

Diagram 4 Diagram 5
 Clay + Water + Salt
(aged mud)
23.00
21.00
19.00

Vol ume (mL)

17.00
15.00
13.00
11.00
9.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50

t (minutes)

Diagram 6

As can be viewed, the diagrams above demonstrate the mud filtration behavior for the

three different profiles. Each mud acted differently, and it is clearly observed. The pure mud

(clay + water) obtained an average filtration time in comparison to the two other. On the other

hand, the mud represented by Diagram 1 and the mud represented by Diagram 2 obtained two

distinct behaviors. Thus, as the mud represented by the Diagram 2 had an elevated volume of

filtrate, it can be concluded that the addition of salt increased the fluid loss. The mud represented

by the diagram 3 behaved in a manner contrary; the filtrate volume was very low. However, the

addition of starch controlled the fluid loss. The diagrams 4, 5 and 6 represents the aged muds

behavior, and it is the same to the fresh muds.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it could be observed that the drilling fluids behave according to its

composition. However, the mud application depends on the purpose; to consolidate the formation
and to retard the passage of fluid into the formation the mud with starch is the adequate, but to

gain maximum knowledge of the formations penetrated and to control the resistivity in order to

get the proper interpretation of an electric log the mud with only salt is the most adequate.

References:

1. Ismail, I. The prospect of utilizing starch as fluid loss control agents in the petroleum

industry. 2010.

2. Applied Drilling Engineering, A.T. Bourgoyne Jr., M.E. Chenevert, K.K. Millheim,

F.S. Young, S.P.E. Textbook Series, Vol. 2, Chapter 2, pg 54-61.