Ch p r • Drilling Fluids Testing

.1 Introduction.........................................................................................................9
.2 Purpose. ............................................. ........................................9
8.2.1. Determination of Apparent Viscosity, Plastic Vi co ity,y·eld
Value & Gel Strength of mud by Fam1 Viscometer...........................0- 1
8.2.2. Determination of API fluid loss..................................................1- 2
8.2.3. Determination of HPHT fluid loss.............................. 2- _,
8.2.4. Determination of water, oil and solid content by mud
retort......................................... .......... .... . . . . .. . . .. .... . . ..
3- 4
8.2.5. Resistivity Measurement....................................................................5
8.2 6. Methylene Blue Capacity Measuren1ent........................ 5- 6
8.2.7. Determination of Lubricity co-efficient by Lubricity te t r. 6-
8.2.8. Determination of Mud Weight/Density.......................... -
 .2.9. Determination of Sand content in the drilling fluid....................88
.2.10. Determination of Salinity of the drilling fluid..........................88
.2.11 Determination of Potassium Chloride content of the drilling
fluid........................................,...................................................... 89-90
8.2.12 Determination of PHPA content in the drilling fluid...............90
8.2.13 Determination of Marsh Funnel Viscosity of the drilling
fluid..................................................................................................... 90-91
8.2.14 Determination of Alkalinity of drilling fluid..............................9
8.1 INTRODUCTION Drilling Fluids Testing

The day-to-day quality monitoring of Drilling Fluids used in the fields of

explorationand drilling activities is done in the Drilling Fluid (Mud) laboratory for
developmentwellsand in dedicated well site laboratories of Exploratory and out step
wellsthroughmeasurement of various parameters. Various types of Drilling fluids
formulation including quality check are also carried out in the mud laboratory. This
laboratory is also responsible for performance evaluation of all types of drilling fluid
additives / chemicals procured for drilling operations.

The laboratory also deals with designing and formulating various drilling
fluids for successful drilling and completion of exploratory and development wells.

8.2 PURPOSE
Drilling fluid plays the most vital role in drilling of oil & gas wells. It performs
various functions while drilling such as to remove drilling cuttings, balancing of
formation pressure, cooling of bit & drill string, maintaining hole stability, to provide
lubricity etc. We have undergone testing of the following parameters which test its
effectiveness of drilling fluid in performing its desired role:
8.1.1. Determination of Apparent Viscosity, Plastic Viscosity, Yield Value & Gel
Strength of mud by Fann Viscometer.
8.1.2. Determination of API fluid loss.
8.1.3. Determination of HPHT fluid loss.
8.1.4. Determination water, oil and solid content by mud retort.
8.1.5. Determination of Resistivity.
8.1.6. Methylene Blue Capacity Measurement.
8.1.7. Determination of Lubricity co-efficient by Lubricity tester.
8.1.8 Determination of Mud Weight/ Density
8.1.9. Determination of Sand content in the drilling fluid.
8.1.1O. Determination of Salinity of the drilling fluid.
8.1.11. Determination of Potassium Chloride content of the drilling fluid.
8.1.12. Determination of PHPA content in the drilling fluid.
8.1.13. Determination of Marsh Funnel Viscosity of the drilling fluid.
8.1.14. Determination of Alkalinity of Drilling fluid.

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 Drlllln.g FluJ{t Tr,Hng

S.2.1.Determination ofApparent Viscosity, Plastic Viscosity, Yield Value& Gel

Strength of mud by Fann Viscometer

i) Significance: Theseparameters of drilljng mud arc veryimportant for smooth and

trouble-free drilling operation while drilling oil and gas wells. These parameters help
drill cutting removal, clean the hole and prevent deposition of drill solids at bottom

ii) Ptinciple: Direct indicating viscometers are rotational types of jnstruments

powered by an elect1ic motor. Drilling fluid is contained in the annular space (Shear
gap) between an outer cylinder and the bob. Viscosity measurements are made when
the outer cylinder, rotating at a kno-w1j velocity, causes a viscous drag to be exerted by
the fluid. This drag creates a torque on the bob, which is transmitted to a torsion
spring where its deflection is measured. A dial attached to the bob indicates
displacement of the bob. Instrument constants have been adjusted so that plastic
viscosity and yield point are obtained by using reading from rotor sleeve speeds of
300 rpm and 600 rpm.

iii) Equipments used:

1. Farm Viscometer
2. Multimixer.

Main Shaft
To Remove Rotor:
Rotate Counter Clockwise LOCK Pin
And Pull Down.

Slot & Groove

.rnttR onove
To Replace Rotor:
\ in,g push
upward and lock Into
place by turning
ctockWise. Rotor

Figure 8.1. Fann Viscometer

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 T_lrlH111:: Flr,14.1 Te1tJ"g

v) Calculation:

600 rpm reading

Apparent Viscosity==-----------------------
(AV) cp 2

Plastic Viscosity = 600 rpm - 300 rpm

(PV) cp reading reading

Yield Point = 300 rpm -Plastic Viscosity

(YP) lbs/100 tl:2 reading

8.2.2.Determination of API fluid loss

i) Significance: The fluid loss property of drilling fluid at normal temperature &
pressure effects the fikiatioL1 behaviour and vv1al1 cak buildirrg characteristic Vv'hich
depends 011 the type and quantities of solids in the fluid and their physical and
chemical interactions.
ii) Principle: \Vhen the drilling fluid is filtered at room temperature & pressure
condition, the free water is eliminated through a membrane, the quantity of which
is measured.
iii) Equipments used:
1. API Fluid loss apparatus.
I.A"111t1.,.,....1vp1•.

I
Figure 8.2. Filter Press

[
 Orlllln Fluids Tcsllng

Top c;ip

□
PrcHurt
ln\et 8- Rubbt!( G sket

Mud Cup

-Cell
Fra111e
<e::::s>--- Rubbllr Gasket
-. --filter paper
---Sere-en

_Rubber Gasket

_Base cap
3-!:: k Support
w1th f1\trate
·tube
B-fHtrattuebe

Figure 8.3. Different parts of Fluid loss apparatus

8.2.3. Determination of HPHT fluid loss

i) Significance: The fluid loss property of drilling fluid at high temperature &
pressure indicates the filtration behaviour and wall cake building characteristic at
down hole conditions as well as the effectiveness of drilling fluid chemicals.

ii) Principle: When the drilling fluid is filtered at high temperature &
pressure condition, the free water is eliminated through a membrane the quantity
of which is

measured.

iii) Equipments used:

1. HP-HT fluid loss apparatus
2. Multimixer

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 Drilling Fluids Testing

Figure 8.4: HPHT Filter Press

8.2.4. Determination of water, oil and solid content by mud retort

i) Significance: Oil content in drilling mud is measured to indicate that mud has
enough lubricating property. Solid content is measured to indicate that drill solids are
efficiently controlled/removed from drilling mud.

ii) Principle: When a drilling fluid is heated in the mud retort, the oil and water
present goes out as vapour, which is condensed & collected for measurement of oil
content and solid left after evaporation.

iii) Equipments used:

1. Mud Retort.
2. Multimixer.

(83)

-
 nrllllng l'luld1 T<1tlog

Figure 8.6: Mud retort

Figure 8.7. Multimixer.

v) Calculation

Using the measured volumes of oil and water and the volume of the miginal whole
mud sample, calculate volume% water, Oil and total solids in the mud.

I 00 x Volume of water (cc)

Volume percent water
Volume of sample (cc)

100 x Volume of oil (cc)

Volume percent oil
Volume of sample (cc)

Volume% ret01t solid = 100- (%Oil+% Water)

'Off)
[84] 035
>P
 OrlllltHI nuJd• lttllt>lt

ocsistivity Measurement·
.... s.Z•5.

. ·(icance: Resistivitycharacteristic of a mud and mud filtrate mav be desirable

i) s,g11• . .. . ..
better evaluat10n of f o mt at1on charactenst1cs from electriclogs.
for . . . . I .
.· ciple: Res1st1v1ty 1st 1e reciprocal of conductivity· conductivity is the measure
1•1") p1111 •
. . concentration of the sample.
of ,on1c
_ .. 17 uipments used:
)11)
c
Res1•stivity meter
12._APl Filter Press.
, Multi-mixer
).
. ) Calculation:
JV
l.Repoit the mud resistivity: Rm, filtrate resistivity: Rmr and mud cake resistivity: Rmc
inolu11-meters to nearest 0.01 ohm meters
_Report the sample temperature in degree FC (or C).
2
3_If reading is in ohms convert to ohm-meters by using the formula:
Resistance (Ohm meter)= R (ohm) X Cell constant (m2/m)

8.2.6. Methylene Blue Capacity Measurement:

i) Significance: The methylene blue capacity of drilling fluid is an indication of the

amount of reactive clays (bentonite) present and it is determined by Methylene blue
test (MBT). The methylene blue capacity provides an estimate of the Cation
Exchange Capacity (CEC) of drilling fluid solids.
ii) Principle: Methylene blue is readily adsorbed by the clay and the amount of
adsorbed methylene blue is proportional to the amount of reactive clay present in the
system.

iii) Equipments used:

1. Stirring rod.
2. Magnetic stirrer.

(iv)Calculation: Report the cation exchange of mud as Methylene Blue Capacity,

calculated as follows.

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.....
 Methylene blue capacity ml of methylene blue Drilling fluids Testing

-
mlof mud
Bentonite (lb/bbl) of muct = 5x MBC (US bbl)
MBC X 1.425
MBC x 1.245 === ¾ of Bentonite (taking US bbl)
Bentonite (Kg/n13) ===¾ofBentonite (taking Impbbl)
===I4xMBc
Reagent.. Methylene blue solution [3.20 gm Reagent grade methylene blue perlitre,
_Ice o·01. mill equivalent (C16 His N3 SCI).
-

S.2,7. Determination of Lubricity co-efficient by Lubricity tester:

i) Significance: Lubricity co-efficient is the indication of the performance

oflubricant used in drilling fluid. Less is the lubricity co-efficient of the mud
better in its performance. Monitoring the lubricity coefficient is essential for drag /
torque free & trouble free drilling operation.

ii) Principle: When a solid substance pressurized against the surface of a

rotating solid body, the rpm decreases due to the frictional force between the
surfaces. To maintain the same rpm, extra force is required for the rotating body.
This extra force is measured by some electrical / electronic arrangement for lubricity
measurement.

iii) Equipments used:

I. Lubricity tester.
2. Multimixer.
 flrHllnJlFlnldl Tc.1t111i

Figure 8.8: Lubricity tester.

iv) Calculat
ion.

Lubricity coefficient = (Meter reading X correction factor) / 100

Con-ection factor = 34 / Torque reading for water.

8.2.8. Determination of Mud Weight/ Density:

i) Significance: The mud weight is the indication of the capacity of thedrilling fluid

to balance the formation pressure.

i) Principle: This test procedure is a method for determining the density ofa

given volume of liquid. Muddensity/ wt may be expressed as pound per

gallon(lb/gal), pounds per cubic foot (lbs/cft), grams per cubic centimetre (glee) or
Kilograms per

cubic meter (kg/m3).

iii) Equipments used:

1. Mud Balance.
2. Multimixer.
[87]
 llrlllln2 Fluid, 'frtllot:

Figure 8.9: Mud Balan.ce

j\·) Calculation:

RepO.l.Ltlie mud wt. To the nearest 0.1 lb!gal or 0.5 lb!ft3 (0.01gle, e 10kg/m3)

To convert the reading to other units use the following

Lbslt13 lb/gal
Density = glee = ----------- == -------------
62.3 8.345

kg/mJ = lb/cft x 16 = lb/gal x 120

lblcft lb/gal kglm3

Mud gradient=
144 19.24 2309

8.2.9. Determination of Sand content in the driJling fluid:

i) Significance: The bigl1 sand content in drilling fluid is the indication of ineffective
solidcontrol system or malfunctioning of the de-sander unit.

ii) Principle: The sand content of mud is the volume percent of particles larger than
74 nu·crons. It is measured by a sand screen set.

iii) Equipments used:

I.loomesh sieve (63.5 mm diameter).

2
·Funnel to fit sieve.

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 0ctcrlllinnUou ofSnllt1hy of the drlllJng fluid: 1Jrlllln1 Hultf• lt•lin

i JO, • . """
/,.· .,,1ilic:u1c. c. Salinity lest ISvery SJgnir,c,nt in areaswhere salt can
contamcd, •, "'
iiSd•iil.l1ng ful id. Thesailmaycome from rnake-up water, salt stringers, or b
111.: nit-waler flows or salt added tomud.
ji·oJll S<

.. p.r,n.c,pJc: The salinity is.proportional to the chloride ion concentration of. mud
,,) The Mohr's method 1s based on the reaction of the indicator potassium
fil(f'c)(C. . . . . . . .
• hromate with the firs.t .excess silver nitrate titrant forming an insoluble
ofstandard.
ornate prec1p1tate at the end point
r e d s1·1ver c1:ir
1,. ,

iii) Equipments used:

I. Titration vessel 100 -150 ml.

2. Stirring rod.

iv) Calculation:
for any normality (N) of Ag N03 Solution following equation may be used

ml of AgNO3 Sol x N x 35450

mg/1 Chloride ·-----------·
= ml sample

mg/1 NaCl mg/1 Cl x 1.65

8.2.11. Determination of Potassium Chloride content of the drilling fluid:

i) Significance: The test for Potassium chloride content in drilling mud is very much
essential for KCI based Polymer drilling fluid system, to maintain its effectiveness in
shale inhibition.

ii) Principle: When Sodium Perchlorate solution is added toa solutioncontainino

KCI pr . . h 1· f h ' . . o
eci p1 tate of Potassium Perchlorate occur, t e vou meo w 1 ch 1s dLrect ly
Proport1·0
to the concentration of Potassi·um Chlon'ed · rn soul t·ion.
naI
 . ents used: Drlllln& fluldt Tt11in
.• £qUIP,n . . .
ni)ccnti-l'fuea,e honzontal-swmg rotor head (manual or electrical)capable of rotating
J) ,. ately 1800rpm)
3pproxJJ11

g,2.12. Determination ofPHPA content in thedrilling fluid:

i). S1gn'ificance: PHPA. content is t.he indication of the amount of PHPA (Partially
m lysedPolyacrylam1de) present tn a drilling fluidsystem,whichis used as a
shale encapsulating agent.

ii) principle: When Polyacrylamide polymer hydrolyses with sodium hydroxide, it

produces ammonia. By condensing the ammonia in boric acid, then titrating the boric
acid/ammonia solution with sulphuric acid to measure the quantity of ammonia, gives
theamount of the PHPA polymer in mud.

iii) Equipments used:

1.Hot plate/magnetic stirrer.

2. Magnetic stir bar.

3. 2- 125-ml Erlenmeyer flasks.
4.2 to 3 feet of¼" ID Tygon tubing.
5. 2-3 to 4" long¼" OD glass tubing.
6.#6rubber stopper with¼" hole.

(iv) Calculations:
ml of 0.02 N sulfuric acid
PHPA, lbm/bbl
4.67

8-2.13. Determination of Marsh Funnel Viscosity of the drilling fluid:

i) Significance: Marsh Funnel Viscosity of drilling mud indicates the degree of

thickness /. viscous behaviour of dn·11·mg flu1'd.

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 1
. ,, Thelimerequired fora known q11an1yit of
drillinu llrlllln:zHul1h lt1tlt11l

r,-inCIPe . . nwc1cnnta inc<l i n a

. .
ii)1111 of fixed di111c11s1011lo pass llirough n1o1rifice of fixed dii11cns1r111 JS '

/qULJ,Ili.tdntrVt: indication of Ilicviscosity of Ilic nuid aud is reported a, M,,isl,-Funt1cl1

\' ,. " siW

.,. 0

iii)f,,1uipincnts used:
I.Marsh funneJ set consisting of Funnel
one.
J. orifice.
J. screen & Graduated cup.

ft,1mr111g <.up

.... ,_
Ormct

Figure 8.10 Manh funnel and measuring cup.

Dimensions of the various components of the Marsh Funnel Viscometer are as fol!

ows:

Funnel Cone:
Length - 12.0 inch (305 mm)
Diameter - 6.0 inch (152 mm)
Capacity to the bottom of screen - 1500 cm3
Oriiice:
Length - 2.0 inch (508 mm)
Inside Diameter - 3/16 inch (4.7mm)
Screen:
12 Mesh screen has 1/16" (1.6 mm) opening and is fixed atlevel¾"(19.0 mm)below

lop of funnel.

f91]
 Orilllnr, Fluids Testing
Graduated cup one-quart (946 cm3)

s.zJ4.DeterminationofAlkalinity of the drilling fluid:

. Sigtl'lficance: Mud Alkalinityshould be measured tostudy theeffectiveness of
,)d.ri!hng fluids aswell asdrilling fluid additives used indrilling operation

ii) .pnnc••pie: Thealkalinity is detennined by titrating withstandard acid in

presence
l 1. dicator.
0fan
ipments used:
iii) EqU

. Titra. t1011 vessel

H ' 100 to 150 ml.
1
2. PH strips or p meter.
3.Stirring rod.

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