DRILLING ENGINEERING

LAB REPORT: DRILLING FLUID

NAME : SHAFFIQ BIN AZHAR RIZAL 22891

COURSE : PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

GROUP NO :

EXPERIMENT DATE : 7/6/2018

SUBMISSION DATE : 22/6/2018

The most common drilling rigs in use today are rotary drilling rigs. Their main tasks are to create

rotation of the drillstring and facilities to advance and lift the drillstring, casings, and special

equipment into and out of the hole drilled. Since the rig rate (rental cost of the rig) is one of the

most influencing cost factors to the total cost of a well, careful selection of the proper type and

capacity is vital for a successful drilling project. For all rigs, the depth of the planned well

determines basic rig requirements like hoisting capacity, power system, circulation system (mud

pressure, mud stream, mud cleaning), and the pressure control system. The selection of the most

cost–efficient rig involves both quantitative and qualitative considerations. The most important

rig systems are:

 Power system

 Hoisting system

 Drilling fluid circulation system

 Rotary system

 Well control system,

 Well monitoring system.

Rig Power System

Drilling rigs and their support vessels in the case of a barge or floating vessel have high power

requirements. Most rig power is consumed by the hoisting and fluid-circulating systems. The

other rig systems have much smaller power requirements. Since the hoisting and circulating

systems generally are not used simultaneously, the same engines can perform both functions. As

a guideline, total power requirements for most rigs are from 1,000 to 3,000 hp (750 to 2,200 kW).

Offshore rigs can sometimes use more than that.  The power system on a drilling rig usually

consists of a prime mover as the source of power and some means to transmit the power to the

end-use equipment. The prime movers used in the current drilling industry are diesel engines.
The Rotary System

The rotary system is the set of equipments necessary to promote the rotation of the bit. The bit

must be mechanically and hydraulically connected to the rig. This connection is made by the

drillstring. The purpose of the drillstring is to transmit axial force, torque, and drilling fluid

(hydraulic power) to the bit. The basic drillstring is composed of the following components:

• Swivel,

• Kelly and accessories,

• Rotary table and components,

• Drillstring tubulars (drill pipe, drill collars, etc.),

• Drill bit.

Several other components and equipment can be connected to the drillstring to perform several

tasks and to lend to the drillstring special features.

Hoisting System

The hoisting system is a vital component of the rig equipment. It provides a means for vertical

movement of pipe in the well (i.e., to lower or raise drillstrings, casings, and other equipment into

or out of the well). The principal items in the hoisting system are as follows:

 Drawworks

 Block and tackle

 Derrick and substructure

 Ancillary equipment such as elevators, hooks, and bails

Two of the most recognizable and routine drilling operations performed with the hoisting system

are called making a connection and making a trip.

Drilling Fluid Circulation System

The drilling fluid plays several functions in the drilling process. The most important are:
 1. clean the rock fragments from beneath the bit and carry them to surface

2. exert sufficient hydrostatic pressure against the formation to prevent formation fluids from

flowing into the well,

3. maintain stability of the borehole walls

4. cool and lubricate the drillstring and bit

Well Control System

The functions of the well control system are to detect, stop, and remove any undesired entrance

of formation fluids into the borehole. An undesired entrance of formation fluid into the borehole

is called kick and may occur due to several reasons (high pressure formations, insufficient drilling

fluid density, drillstring swab, loss of circulation, formation fracture, etc). If the undesired

entrance of fluid feedbacks and the fluid continuously enters the borehole reaching the surface, it

is called blowout.  Blowouts (in particular gas blowouts) are extremely dangerous and put the

crew, the rig, the drilling operation, and the reservoir at risk.
Objective of Experiment

 The objective of this experiment was to determine density of the drilling fluid and

how density affect the effectiveness of drilling fluid.

 To investigate the viscosity of the drilling fluid.

Procedures

Mud Weigh

1. The mud balance consists of sliding counter balance, cup for holding test fluid, scale

calibrated and fulcrum.

2. The lid was removed from cup and filled the cup with sample mud to be tested and no

air trapped inside the cup. The cup covered with lid and some mud was spills out of

the vent hole.

3. The excessive mud on the exterior of the cup was washed and wiped.

4. The balance placed on fulcrum rest.

5. The rider was adjusted or moved until the graduated arm leveled as indicated by the

level vial on the beam.

6. The measured density on either side of the level was taken in all desired units without

disturbing the rider at the left-hand edge of the rider.

7. The mud temperature corresponding to density was recorded.

Mud Viscosity

1. The orifice covered with a finger and poured the freshly collected mud sample

(Sample No 1 and Sample No 2) with the funnel in an upright position through the

screen into clean. The funnel dried until the fluid level reaches the bottom of the

screen.

2. The finger removed immediately from the outlet and time required for the mud to fill

the receiving vessel to the 1-quart (946ml) level measured.

measurement in degrees Fahrenheit or Centigrade measured.

Results

Table 1: Results of mud properties test water based mud (density, viscosity )

Room Temp. 73.4 °F/ 23 °C

Marsh Funnel
Sample No. Mud Weight
Viscosity

ppg psi/1000 pp ft3 sec

1 8.6 372 64.3 10.06

2 10.0 432.6 74.8 10.60

Discussion of Results

1. As can be seen from the data collected, mud weight of sample 2 is higher compared to

sample 1. The mud weight will provide pressure to hole back formation. If the mud weight

is too high, lost circulation in formation, decrease in rate of penetration (ROP) and also

cause deferentially stuck pipe could occur. It is one of the most important drilling fluid

properties because it controls formation pressure and it also helps wellbore stability. Mud

weight is measured and reported in pounds per gallon (PPG) and pounds per cubic feet

(lb/ft3).

2. Sample 2 has higher viscosity than sample 1 from collected data. As the mud weight

increase, the viscosity of the drilling fluid increase. The mud viscosity is another important

property, as cuttings will settle to the bottom of the well if the viscosity is too low. Fluids

that have shear thinning and elevated viscosities are efficient for wellbore cleaning.
ERROR

1. Parallax error.

2. Human error. Time taken for each sample setting to time required for the mud to fill the

receiving vessel to the 1-quart (946ml) level not accurate.

3. Zero error. The fulcrum was not calibrated before the experiment begin.

4. Some air trapped in cup closed with lids can cause systematic error.

Answer to given question

List any five (5) very important functions of the drilling fluid.

 to provide hydrostatic pressure to prevent formation fluids from entering the well

bore

 keeping the drill bit cool and clean during drilling

 carrying out drill cuttings,

 suspending the drill cuttings while drilling is paused

 when the drilling assembly is brought in and out of the hole.

What requirements should a drilling fluid meet?

The requirement should a drilling fluid meet

1) Density - The density of fluid is primarily related to the hydrostatic pressure it can

provide to stabilize the wellbore. If the mud density is low, then it can’t overcome the

formation pressure, blowout may happen. However, if the mud density is weight out

according to the pressure requirement, then drilling mud will invade into the reservoir,

which is called the fluid loss. Therefore, it is crucial to make mud with proper density.

2) Viscosity – the dynamic viscosity is the property of fluid which indicates its flowing

behaviour. Obviously, liquid use longer time shows a higher viscosity comparing to

those who leave very quickly

liquid flow from sedate condition. Yield point indicates the capability of a fluid to

suspend the cuttings

4) pH - A pH value ranges from 8-12 is normally required to allow some mud additives

can work

Using the mud weights (ppg) obtained for Samples#1 and 2 of your experiments, calculate

how much hydrostatic pressure that each sample exert on a formation at a depth of 10000

ft.

Hydrostatic Pressure (psi) = Fluid Density (ppg) x 0.052 x TVD

Sample 1
Hydrostatic Pressure: 8.6 ppg x 0.052 x 10000 = 4472 psi
Sample 2
Hydrostatic Pressure: 10 ppg x 0.052 x10000 = 5200 psi

What is the difference between Over-balance and Under-balance?

Underbalanced drilling, or UBD, is a procedure used to drill oil and gas wells where the

pressure in the wellbore is kept lower than the fluid pressure in the formation being drilled.

As the well is being drilled, formation fluid flows into the wellbore and up to the surface.

In conventional, or “Overbalanced”, drilling fluid is pumped into the well shaft at pressure

higher than in the reservoir. This keeps the oil and gas in the reservoir during drilling, but

the high pressure can damage the rock around the wellbore.

Estimate the mud weight needed to balance a formation pressure equivalent to 10000 ft

depth with 0.561 psi/ft. pressure gradient.

Pressure gradient (psi/ft) = Fluid Density (ppg) x 0.052

Mud weight = 0.561/0.052 = 10.8 ppg

Piroozian, A., Ismail, I., Yaacob, Z. et al. J Petrol Explor Prod Technol (2012) 2: 149.
https://doi. org/10.1007/s13202-012-0031-0.
Viscosity of Drilling Mud. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.drillingformulas.com/viscosity-of-
drilling-mud/
Bourgoyne, A. T. (1991). Applied drilling engineering. Richardson, TX: Society of Petroleum
Engineers.