Fundamentals of Drilling Fluids

Presented by
Samuel O. Osisanya, Ph.D.; P.E.
Associate Professor
The University of Oklahoma
 Introduction to Drilling Fluids
• Most complicated fluids known - contains about 2000
chemicals
• Successful drilling & completion of an oil or gas well
depends on
– Fluid cost
– Choice of the right fluid
– Maintenance of the right drilling fluid properties
• Total cost of the well f(number of rig days)
– Rig days f(ROP, drilling fluid related problems)
• Choice and control of drilling fluids are the concern of
all drilling personnel
 Drilling Fluids Basics
Purpose and Major Function of Drilling Fluids
• Faster Penetration Rates
• Reduced Hole Problems
• Reduced Mud Problems
• To Obtain the Necessary Information from the Hole
– Good Logs
– Good Cores
– Good Cuttings
• To Successfully Complete and Obtain Optimum Production
– Reduce Completion Problems
– Minimize Formation Damage
– Maximize Production
Major Functions of Drilling Fluids
 Functions can be direct or indirect
 Direct major functions are
 To keep hole free of cuttings
 To exert sufficient hydrostatic pressure on the
formation
 To prevent walls from caving
 To cool & lubricate the drillstring
 To reduce friction between the hole and the drillstring
 To help suspend the weight of the drillstring and
casing
 To deliver hydraulic energy to the formation under
the bit
Major Functions of Drilling Fluids
 Indirect major functions
 To observe and detect information
about the well
 To prevent drill string corrosion
 To limit formation damage
 To minimize hole problem such as
surge, loss circulation, stuck pipe, and
wellbore instability
Properties of Drilling Fluids & Their
Functional Relationships
• Two categories of properties: physical & chemical
• Physical properties
– Mud density
– Rheological properties (viscosity, yield, & gel)
– Filtration loss and cake thickness
– Contents (solid & liquid)
• Chemical properties
– pH, cation exchange capacity, total hardness
– Lime, calcium, and sulfate contents
– Resistivity and electrical stability if oil-base fluid
 Objectives of the Course
● This course will cover the advanced principles of drilling
fluids. It is developed based on advances in technology and
industry demand.
● The course includes an in-depth study of water-base drilling
fluids chemistry, testing procedures, products, system
formulation and mud and hydraulic calculations.
● To build on the knowledge you acquired in your
undergraduate drilling courses or to acquire new knowledge
concerning drilling fluids
● To introduce you to areas such as specialty fluids, drilling
problems related to drilling fluids (hole stability, stuck pipe,
and lost circulation) and environmental issues related to
drilling and drilling fluids.
 Drilling Fluid Properties
Mud Weight Viscosity Fluid Loss Reactivity/
Chemistry

lb/gal AV API pH
lb/ft3 FV API HPHT alkalinity
kg/L PV PPT hardness
g/ml YP Sand Pack chlorides
sg Gels mL/30-min salts
n spurt solids
K MBT

e electrical stability
activity
0 analine point
 International Standards
API/ISO
• The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the
only international standards setting body for
drilling and completion fluids. Formed in 1959
– Committee 3 - Drilling
• Sub-Committee 13 - Drilling Fluids Materials
• Sub-Committee 10 - Cements
• OCMA (Oil Companies Materials Association)
-formed in 1958 and was responsible for the 1st
specifications for drilling fluid materials
 International Standards
Concern with

• Specifications

• Recommended Practices

• Informational
 International Standards
• Specifications
– API 13A
• Specification for Drilling Fluids Materials
– ISO 13500
• Drilling fluid materials - Specifications and tests
• Specifications are developed based on the following:
– Work Groups
– Round Robin Testing
– Vote
– Legally Binding
API 13A - 1st edition, March 1962
• Specification for • Weighting Materials
Drilling Fluids – Barite
Materials – Hematite
• Clays
• QA = Quality – Bentonite
Assurance – Nontreated Bentonite
– OCMA Grade Bentonite
• QC = Quality Control
– Attapulgite
• Audited – Sepiolite
• Licensed • Polymers
– Tech-Grade Low-Vis CMC
– Tech-Grade High-Vis CMC
– Starch
• Calibration
 Recommended Practices (RP)
• Not legally • RP 13B-1 - Field Testing WBM **
enforceable • RP 13B-2 - Field Testing OBM **
or binding • RP 13C - Processing Systems Evaluation *
on the user. • RP 13D - Rheology *
• RP 13E - Shaker Screens *
• RP 13G - Mud Report Form
• RP 13I - Laboratory Testing
• RP 13J - Testing Heavy Brines *
• RP 13K - Barite Chemical Analysis
• * Currently undergoing revision
• * Currently in ISO preparation
 Drilling Fluid Testing

• Accuracy - a measure of the nearness of a value to the

correct or true value

• Repeatability: same person, same equipment. Also

called precision, and has nothing to do with accuracy

• Reproducibility: different person, different equipment

Drilling Fluid Testing - Accuracy

• Viscometer Calibration
• 20cP oil: +/- 3 to 7.5 %
• 50cP oil: +/- 3 to 4 %

• Bentonite Test Precision

• 600 rpm Dial reading = 30 cp. minimum
• Repeatability = 4.9
• Reproducibility = 9.3
Drilling Fluid Testing - Accuracy

• What’s Important?

Relative Numbers
Drilling Fluid Testing - Accuracy
Factors affecting accuracy of a test are
• Training
• Practice
• Cleaning
• Maintenance
• Calibration
• Working conditions
 Classification of Drilling Fluids
• Based on composition: liquid-base or gaseous-
base or gas-liquid mixture-base
• Liquid base can be water-based or oil-based
– Water-base fluids consist of a mixture of
solids, liquids, and chemicals with water
being the continuous phase
– Oil-base has oil as the continuous phase
• Solids may be active or inactive (no reaction)
• Gaseous-base can be air or natural gas
• Gas-liquid base can be foam (mostly gas) or
aerated water (mostly water)
 Drilling Fluids Classification
• Classification is based on the type of
base fluid (the continuous phase)
Pneumatic Water Non-Aqueous

•Air •Inhibitive •All Oil

•Gas •Invert Emulsion
•Mist •Non-Inhibitive •Relaxed Filtrate
•Foam •Polymer •Environmentally
•Stiff Foam Acceptable
Drilling Fluids Classification
• Variations on a Theme

Pneumatic Water Non-Aqueous

Solids Free Polymers

Low Solids High Temp
Clay Free Salts/Brines
Weighted Non-Weighted
Drilling Fluids Selection Process

Pneumatic Water Non-Aqueous

• Drilling objective - cost vs. value

Make a hole
Cost effectively
Return on investment
Factors Governing Selection of Fluids
• Types of formation: rock strength and permeability
• Range of temperature
• Formation pore fluid pressure
• Well logging evaluation to be performed
• Water quality available (fresh or salt water)
• Environmental & ecological considerations
• COST
– Total cost of drilling fluid is about 10-12% of total
drilling cost and it increases exponentially with
depth above 8500 ft