Drilling Fluid

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Introduction
Base horsepower
Bottom line
Water quality
Mixing Order
Bentonite
Hole cleaning
Transmit information
Optimize
Stabilizes Hole
Support Hole
Wall Cake
Primary well control
Cutting removal
Suspend drill cuttings
Mud Weight
Lubricates and cools
Stuck Pipe
Lost Circulation
Regain Circulation

Fluid Testing
Gunk Plugs

Drilling Fluid Discussion Group

 
 
 






 
 

 

Drilling Fluid Bottom Line

Everyone want to make a profit this can only be achieve by optimizing equipment and the condition that prevail at the rig site. Running a rig at maximum rate will eventually cost the operator in downtime.

A well prepared and maintained drilling fluid combined with optimizing other essence equipment with well trained people are the answer to a successful operation

There are large advantages to to using a good system 

Reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a bore. The rate of penetration will be increased by improving the hole cleaning efficiency and the lubricity of the fluid. The rate of penetration is controlled, by the torque available at the bit, the thrust applied at the bit and the amount of hydraulic energy available at the bit. 

The fluid used will heavily influence each of these areas. Using fluid systems will improve each of these areas.

The thrust applied at the bit is dependent on hole cleaning efficiencies. If cutting beds are eliminated more thrust will be available at the bit.

Conservatively, a rate of penetration increase of 5-15% should be achievable with the use of a fluid system. The bore will be completed in a shorter amount of time thus allowing the rig to move onto another project.

Good  fluid systems will provide better directional steering control. Steering control is directly related to hole cleaning. Steering control is improved by eliminating cutting beds and being able to apply thrust to the bit. 

Sometimes it is very difficult to initiate and maintain a build rate. The problem usually is that the thrust applied by the rig will not reach the bit. Part of the thrust is used in overcoming the drag imposed by the cutting beds.

 When a direction change is required, the rotation is stopped. The head is then rotated to the proper angle and pushed forward without rotation. Ground force against the wedge forces the cutting head to change direction. 

Once the drill string is aligned with the intended path, the drilling procedure resumes. Many times multiple attempts have to be made in order to turn the direction of the bore. This is due to the fact that you are not getting the force you think you are to the bit. 

The most important aspect of steering control is to produce a smooth bore path and not a serpentine path. The serpentine path will greatly increase the difficulty of pulling the product line into place

Fewer problems that cause rig down time are encountered when using a a good system Problems such as stuck pipe,  lost circulation and inadequate directional control can be reduced.

Each one of these problems causes non-productive rig time and cost money. These problems are traceable to inadequate hole stability and hole cleaning. A properly formulated fluid system will enhance both of these critical functions.

 
 
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