Contents

Aim..................................................................................................................................................1

Theory..............................................................................................................................................1

Apparatus.........................................................................................................................................1

Material........................................................................................................................................1

Equipment....................................................................................................................................1

Test equipment.................................................................................................................................2

Procedure.........................................................................................................................................2

Calculation.......................................................................................................................................4

Result and discussion.......................................................................................................................5

Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5

Reference.........................................................................................................................................6

List of Figures
Figure 1: 200-Mesh sieve................................................................................................................2
Figure 2: Wash bottle.......................................................................................................................2
Figure 3: Measuring tube.................................................................................................................2

List of Figures
Table 1 Result............................................................................................................... 5
Aim
The aim of this experiment is to determine the volume percent sand-sized particles in a
mud.

Theory
Sand content is the volume percentage of particles larger than 74 microns. Periodic
determination of the sand content in a drilling fluid is desirable. The volume of sand, include that
of void spaces between grains, is usually measured and expressed as a percentage by volume of
the drilling fluid. Excessive sand may result in the deposition of a thick filter cake on the wall
of the borehole, in turn it may settle in the hole around the tools when circulation is stopped and
may cause interference with the successful operation of drilling or when the casing is set. High
sand content also causes excessive abrasion of pump parts and pipe connections ( Sahay, 2001).
Sieve analysis is the preferred method for sand content determination because of the reliability of
the test and simplicity of equipment. The volume of sand, including that of void spaces between
grains, is usually measured and expressed as a percentage by volume of the drilling fluid ( Caenn.
et al, 2011 ). Sand content kit with case one of the primary functions of a drilling fluid is to carry
drilled solids from the well bore, these solids are a contaminate, and if left in the system, can
lead to numerous problems, used to determine the volume percent of sand-sized particles in
drilling fluids, the test can be performed on low solid fluids as well as on weighted fluids, The
Sand Content Kit accurate and inexpensive sieve analysis apparatus for determining the sand
content of drilling muds. The kit consists of a special 200-mesh sieve 2½ inches in diameter,
fastened inside a collar upon which a small funnel is fitted on either end. This is used with a
100ml glass measuring tube, graduated to read from 0 to 20% the percentage sand by volume.
The collar and funnel are made of polyethylene and the screen is made of brass. A 500ml wash
bottle and carrying case are included (Lyons, 2009).

Apparatus
Material
Mud

Water

1
Equipment
Sand content kit Consists of:

 200-mesh sieve(shown in figure 1).

 A glass measuring tube (0- 20%)(shown in figure 3)
 Wash bottle(shown in figure 2).

Cylinder: use to measure volume of liquid.

 Figure1:200-mesh Figure 1: Glass measuring

Figure 2: Wash bottle
sieve tube

Test equipment
The Sand Content Kit consists of special developed sieve with mesh-size 0.08 mm (200-
mesh), a proper plastic funnel and a special modeled measuring tube. A mark at the measuring
tube indicates the amount of the filled in drilling fluid. The percentage of sand may read off
directly from the measuring tube graduated from 0 to 20%.

Procedure
a. Prepare the mud with require density.

b. Fill the measuring tube to the indicated mark with mud. Use the wash bottle to add water
to the upper mark. Close the mouth of the tube and shake vigorously

c. Pour the mixture onto the clean sieve. Discard the liquid passing through the screen.

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 d. Add more fluid from the wash bottle to the tube, shake, and again pour onto the sieve.
Repeat until all the drilling fluid has been washed out of the tube.

e. Flush the screen with fluid from the wash bottle to free the sand remaining on the sieve of
any remaining mud.

f. Fit the funnel upside down over the top of the sieve. Slowly invert the assembly and
insert the tip of the funnel into the mouth of the glass measuring tube.

g. Wash the sand into the tube by spraying a fine spray of fluid from the water bottle
through the sieve (tapping on the side of the sieve with a spatula handle may facilitate the
process). Allow the sand to settle.

h. Using the scale on the graduated tube, read the volume percent of sand.

i. Report the sand content of the mud in percent by volume (% by volume). Take into
account coarse solids obtained on the screen.

** After each use, wash the screen, funnel and tube free of any dirt, and dry thoroughly. Take
special care to clean and dry the 200-mesh screen.

3
Calculation

Result and discussion

Table 1 Result

Parameter Value
Density of mud(ppg) 8.55
Mass of mud(gm) 15
Water volume(cc) 200
Sand content % 0.25

The results of sand content determination in the table above. The results indicate that the sand
content of the drilling mud by volume percent, the sand content is lower because do not added

4
any material to drilling mud, the sand content of the drilling mud by volume percent increases
with the increase of the mass of sand added. the mud sand content was low at about 0.15%.
However, the sand content of the drilling mud is observed to increase as sand is added. This
justifies the hypothesis stated earlier on the sand content property of drilling fluids, the drilling
cuttings constitute the solids contents of the drilling mud. The more sand is added in the drilling
mud, the more is the sand content by volume percent of the drilling mud, some errors will occur
at determine volume of sand content in the drilling mud the first one mud remain of the screen
and then mud remain the measure tube.

Conclusion
Sand content is the volume percentage of particles larger than 74 microns. Periodic
determination of the sand content in a drilling fluid is desirable. The volume of sand, include that
of void spaces between grains, is usually measured and expressed as a percentage by volume of
the drilling fluid. And this experiment useful to determine the volume of sand in drilling fluid,
sand content is very important to circulating system because causes to change density and
viscosity, when stop the circulating system if high sand content in the drilling fluid it causes to
loss circulation.

Reference
Caenn, R., Darley, H.C. and Gray, G.R. (2011), Composition and properties of drilling and
completion fluids, Gulf professional publishing.

Lyons, W. (2009), Working guide to drilling equipment and operations, Gulf Professional
Publishing.

Sahay, B. (2001), Petroleum Exploration and Exploitation Practices, Allied Publishers.