PETE 4059 Fall 2012

Drilling Fluids Laboratory Report

Experiment #: 5

Title: Solids Analysis of Weighted Drilling Fluid

Section Number: 4 Station Number: 3

Emily Enclard, Cullen Landry, Malachi Tumban

Date: September 28, 2012

LSU Oil Inc.

Date: September 28, 20120

To: Jack Worrysome, Drilling Manager
From: Emily Enclard, Drilling Consultant
Cullen Landry, Drilling Consultant
Malachi Tumban, Drilling Consultant
Re: LSU #6

Upon arriving to LSU #6, we performed a comparison test of two different procedures for
adding barite for drilling mud. They were performed to determine the most effective means of
minimizing the problems associated with the operation of weighting mud. One procedure
included only adding barite to a sample of the base mud, while the other added a barite and
water mixture. The comparison test will determine the more desirable rheological and gel
strength properties achieved from both procedures.

After completion of the procedures, we recommend the procedure of adding a barite and
water mixture to the base mud. Previously, the incorrect procedure of adding only barite has
been used. If barite is directly added to the drilling mud, the large increase in viscosity will be
cause for a much higher pump pressure. The gel strength observed from this procedure was
higher, indicating circulation would be more difficult after a period of static flow. The yield
point from this procedure was lower than the barite and water procedure, meaning it will carry
a smaller amount of cuttings than the other procedure. Also, a larger water loss was observed.

Again, we recommend adding the barite and water mixture to the base mud containing high
concentrations of cuttings. This procedure will allow for a lower pump pressure to be used, as it
has a lower viscosity than adding only barite. The gel strength for the water and barite mixture
procedure would also be lower. The yield point was higher, and a smaller amount of API water
loss was observed. All laboratory results can be found in the “Experimental Data” attachment.

The best procedure for weighting mud without increasing the volume of the mud system would
be to dispose of the calculated amount of old mud and drilling solids. The amount new mud
mixed to desired specifications is added. The exact amounts of barite and water that should be
added are calculated, as to achieve the desired mud density.

Attachments: Experimental Data

Results
Laboratory Experiment Overview
Additional Problems
Experimental Data:

12ppg Mud
12ppg Mud
(Addition of
Base Mud (Addition of
Barite &
Barite)
Water)
Density (ppg) 9.1 12.0 12.0
600 rpm 38 54 52
300 rpm 24 35 36
Plastic Viscosity (cp) 14 19 16
Yield Point
10 16 20
(lb/100sq.ft)
10 second Gel
Strength 3 5 4
(lb/100sq.ft)
Volume Fraction of
95% -- --
Water
Volume Fraction of
5% -- --
Solids
Sand content (%) 1.90% -- --
30min Water Loss
18 -- --
(ml)
Results:

1) Show the amount of barite, or barite and water used to weight each sample.
For the sample with only barite added:
Final mud volume: 350ml
Initial mud Volume:
ρB − ρ2 35ppg − 12ppg
V1 = V2 × ( ) = 350ml × ( ) = 310.8ml
ρB − ρ1 35ppg − 9.1ppg
Amount of barite:
gm
mB = (V2 − V1 ) × ρB = (350ml − 310.8ml) × 4.2 = 164.59gm
ml
For the sample with barite and water:
Final mud volume: 350ml
Initial mud volume:
1+ρ V 1 + 8.33ppg × .01ppg
ρB ( 1 + ρWVWB ) − ρ2 35ppg(
1 + 35ppg × .01ppg
) − 12ppg
B WB
V1 = V2 × = 350ml ×
1+ρ V 1 + 8.33ppg × .01ppg
ρB ( 1 + ρWVWB ) − ρ1 35ppg( ) − 9.1ppg
B WB 1 + 35ppg × .01ppg
V1 = 296.54ml
Amount of barite:
4.2gm
ρB ml
mB = × (V2 − V1 ) = × (350ml − 296.54ml)
(1 + ρB V ′ WB ) 4.2gm 0.084gm
(1 + × )
ml ml
mB = 165.98gm
Volume of water:
0.084gm
VW = V′WB × mB = × 165.98gm = 13.942ml
ml

2) Use retort data to find volume fraction of low gravity solids, volume fraction of barite,
and lb/bbl low gravity solids, and lb/bbl barite in the base mud
3) Discuss effect of adding barite on properties measured. Make a rheogram.
4) Discuss how the two weighted muds compare with respect to rheological and gel
strengths properties.
The apparent viscosity at 300 and 600 rpm speeds varied between both weighted muds.
The procedure with only barite added had an apparent viscosity of 54 and 35 at 600 and
300 rpm, respectively; while the barite and water mixture had an apparent viscosity of
52 and 36. The plastic viscosity of the barite only procedure was 19 cp, while it was 16cp
for the barite and water procedure. The barite only mud had a slightly higher gel
strength of 5lb/100square feet while the barite and water mixture had 4lb/100square
feet.

5) Compare volume % total solids with recommended range (Figure 2.29).

The volume % of total solids we found was 5%, which is just below the recommend
maximum of 6% from Figure 2.29.
6) Discuss reasons for adding water with barite.
The water is added with the barite because the particles of barite have a large surface
area. This allows the particles to absorb a large amount of water. The addition of water
compensates for the amount of water loss from absorption. Also, if water is added to
the barite, it will decrease the mud viscosity.

7) Discuss procedures for weighting up a given mud under the following conditions:
a. Limited mud volume
When a limited mud volume is present, the final mud volume can be calculated.
This amount is subtracted from the initial amount of mud and the difference is
disposed. Calculations are performed to determine amount of weighting
material and volume of water that should be added to the mud.
b. High % low gravity solids
When a high % of low gravity solids are present, the same procedure of
calculating final mud volume and subtracting the initial amount of mud present
and discarding the difference is followed. Again, the amount of barite and water
needed are calculated.

8) Using Table 14-7 and formulas from the SPE Textbook. Show computations with
weighting up the 9lb/gal mud to 12lb/gal. Decide if the table represents the
weighting-up procedures
a. With limited/unlimited final volume
b. Using addition of dry barite/barite with wetting water
Laboratory Experiment Overview:
Additional Problems:

2.17) Compute the density of a mud mixed by adding 30ppg of clay and 200lb of API barite to
1 bbl of water.
30ppg 200lb
Vt = VW + VC + VB = 1bbl + + = 1.169bbl
910 1470
mt = mW + mC + mB = 350 + 30lb + 200lb = 580lb
mt 580lb 496.15lb 1bbl lb
ρ= = = × = 11.8
Vt 1.169bbl bbl 42gal gal

2.23) A 1,000bbl unweighted freshwater mud system has a density of 9.5 ppg. What mud
treatment would be required to reduce the solids content to 4% by volume? The total mud
volume must be maintained at 1,000bbl and the minimum allowable mud density is 8.8ppg.

Fc1= 0.05 Fc2= 0.0228

V1 = V2 ( fc2 / fc1 ) = 1000 ( .0228 / .05 ) = 456 bbl
Volume Discarded = 1000 bbl - 456 bbl = 544 bbl
Volume Water Discard = 544 bbl

2.25) The density of 800bbl of 12ppg mud must be increased to 14ppg using API barite. One
gallon of water per sack of barite will be added to maintain an acceptable mud consistency.
The final volume is not limited. How much barite is required?
V1 = V2 {(28.0856 - Density 2) / (28.0856 - Density 1)}
V2 = 600 bbl / {( 28.0856 - 14 ) / ( 28.0856 - 12 )} = 685.193 bbl
Mb = (( Density Barite / (1 + Density Barite * VwB)) * ( V2 - V1)
Mb = ( 35 / ( 1 + 35 * .01 ))* ( 685.193 - 600 ) * (42)
Mb = 92, 800 lbm