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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA
GEOLOGY AND DRILLING LABORATORY
(CGE 558)

NAME : MOHAMMAD FAIZUAN BIN ISMAIL 2013252638
EXPERIMENT : DRILLING FLUID CONTAMINATION TEST
DATE PERFORMED : 30 OCTOBER 2012
SEMESTER : 3
PROGRAMME/CODE : CGE 558
GROUP : EH2233A

No. Title Allocated marks % Marks %
1 Abstract/Summary 5
2 Introduction 5
3 Aims/Objectives 5
4 Theory 5
5 Apparatus 5
6 Procedure 10
7 Results 10
8 Calculations 10
9 Discussion 20
10 Conclusions 10
11 Recommendation 5
12 References 5
13 Appendices 5
Total 100

Remarks:

Checked by:
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TABLE OF CONTENT

























No Title Pages
1 Abstract 3
2 Introduction 4
3 Objectives 6
4 Theory 7
5 Apparatus 8
6 Procedure 9
7 Result 10
8 Calculations 13
9 Discussion 14
10 Conclusions 17
11 Recommendations 18
12 References 19
13 Appendices 19-20
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1.0 ABSTRACT
After conduct this experiment, we are able to know the effect of Gypsum to density,
Plastic Viscosity and Yield Point of drilling fluid. Before doing this experiment, we have to
find it properties which are pH and density. To find its pH, we use pH meter while to find its
density, we use mud balance.
We prepare 200 ml of water-based mud in 4 beakers and add different amount of
Gypsum which are 5g, 10g, 15g, and 20g into each of it. By using viscometer, we take the
reading at 600rpm and 300rpm. The difference of the reading is the Plastic Viscosity.
To find the Yield Point, we use formula which is
( p 0.5 N/m (lb/100ft2)

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2.0 INTRODUCTION
The effects of contamination depend largely upon the mud type and the concentration and
type of contaminating salt. Divalent salts (calcium and magnesium) will have a greater
contaminating effect on water-based muds than mono-valent salts (sodium and
potassium). In general, water-base mud is the most susceptible to contamination of various
types.

Gypsum contamination basically indicated by high viscosity, high flat gels, and increase
fluid floss. An analysis of filtrate will show increase concentrations of both calcium and
sulfates. When drilling small thin anhydride stringers, the mud may be treated with soda ash
or, in some cases, phosphates or sodium carbonates. If massive anhydride encountered, the
mud can either be converted to a gyp mud or to high pH. (J.J. Azar and G. Robello Samuel
2007).

Water-based muds consist of four basic phases which is water, active colloidal solids, inert
solids and chemicals. Water is the continuous phase of any water-based mud. Primary
function of the continuous phase is to provide the initial viscosity which can be modified to
obtain any desirable rheological properties. The second function of the continuous phase is
to suspend the reactive colloidal solids, such as bentonite, inert solids, such as barite. Water
also acts as a medium for transferring the surface available hydraulic horsepower to the bit
on the bottom of the hole. Water is also a solution medium for all conditioning chemicals
which are added to the drilling fluid. In water based muds, clay is added to increase density,
viscosity, gel strength and yield point, and to decrease fluid loss. Clays used in water based
drilling fluids are mainly in three groups:
-Montmorillonites (bentonite)
-Kaolinites
-Illites
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-gypsum



Chemicals used in water based muds can be grouped according to their functions as:
-Thinners
-Dispersants
-Deflocculants
The most common contaminants to water-based mud systems are:
Gypsum/anhydrite (Ca++)
Cement/lime (Ca++)
Makeup water (Ca++, Mg++)
Solids (added, drilled, active, inert)
Soluble sulfides (HS, S)
Salt/salt water flow (Na+, Cl)
Soluble bicarbonates and carbonates (HCO3, CO3)
Gypsum or (CaSO4 - 2H2O) contains calcium ions (Ca++) which are soluble and it can
flocculate colloidal clays and precipitate large anionic polymers that contain carboxylate
groups, such as an acrylate polymer. The calcium ion tends to replace the sodium ions on
the clay surface through a base exchange, thus causing undesirable changes in mud
properties such as rheology and filtration. It also causes added thinners to the mud system
to become ineffective. On the other hand, some mud types tolerate calcium, in which case
calcium is not considered a contaminant.




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3.0 OBJECTIVES
To study the effect of contamination of Gypsum (CaSO4-2H20) to the density, Plastic
Viscosity and Yield point of water based mud. This salt commonly encountered during
drilling, completion or work over operations.











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4.0 THEORY
In preparing a bentonite slurry using fresh water, the bentonite will hydrate and agitation
furnished by a mixer is sufficient to separate the hydrated clay plate lets and result in a
viscosity and gel strength increase, if the bentonite is placed in salty water or water
containing dissolved hardness (calcium or magnesium) the hydration and subsequent
dispersion by agitation is reduced.

A mud is said to be contaminated when a foreign material enters the mud system and
causes undesirable changes in mud properties such as the density, the viscosity, and/or
filtration. In general, water-base mud systems are the most susceptible to contamination of
various types. Mud contamination can result from overtreatment of the mud system with
additives of from material entering the mud during drilling.






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5.0 APPARATUS
Water-base mud
Gypsum
Mass balance
Mud balance
Viscometer
Beaker









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6.0 PROCEDURES
1. 200 ml base mud was measured in a beaker.
2. The base mud was tested for weight, Plastic Viscosity, and Yield Point by using
viscometer.
3. The base mud then was contaminated with 5 grams of gypsum.
4. After that, the sample was stirred for 3 minutes. Then, the sample was aged for 15
minutes and was stirred again for 2-3 minutes. Their viscosity, yield point, density,
and pH were determined.
5. Then, another sample of base mud with volume 200ml was prepared.
6. Step 3 & 4 were repeated by using 10, 15, and 20 g Gypsum.
7. The data then were recorded in proper table. Graph of density, Plastic Viscosity, and
Yield Point versus amount of Gypsum added were plotted to see the effect of
Gypsum contamination to the mud properties.
Viscosity

1. Firstly, the viscometer is set up.
2. The rotor bob and mud cup are cleaned.
3. 250 ml of mud are prepared and poured into the mud cup.
4. The experiment is started when the viscometer is switched on at the speed of 600 rpm.
5. The reading on the viscometer is recorded.
6. Steps 4 and 5 are repeated five times using different speed of 300 rpm, 200 rpm, 100 rpm,
6 rpm and 3 rpm.
7. The data is tabulated on the table.

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7.0 RESULT
Reading Water based
mud
Water-based mud (WBM) + Gypsum (g)
5 10 15 20
Density (ppg) 8.50 8.80 9.00 9.30 9.50
Mud weight
(SG)
163.46 169.23 173.08 178.85 182.69
pH value 8.01 8.97 7.75 7.67 7.43
Viscometer
reading at
600 rpm
27.3 35.0 39.6 45.0 22.5
Viscometer
reading at
300 rpm
24.4 34.7 36.2 34.5 9.4
Plastic
Viscosity, PV
(p)
2.9 0.3 3.4 9.6 13.1
Apparent
Viscosity,
(a)
12.2 17.5 19.8 22.5 11.25
Yield Point,
lb/100 ft
22.95 27.15 34.50 29.7 2.95




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Graph 1: Density against the amount of Gypsum


Graph 2: Plastic Viscosity (PV) against the amount of Gypsum




y = 0.048x + 8.55

8.7
8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
0 5 10 15 20 25
D
e
n
s
i
t
y

,

p
p
g

Mass of gypsum, g
Density against mass of gypsum
y- value lines (y-values)
y = 0.892x - 4.55

-5
0
5
10
15
0 5 10 15 20 25
P
l
a
s
t
i
c

v
i
s
c
o
s
i
t
y

P
V
,

(
c
p
)

Mass of Gypsum , g
Plastic viscosity against Mass of
Gypsum
Y-values
lines (y-values)
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Graph 3: Yield Point (Yp) against the amount of Gypsum











y = -1.548x + 42.925

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0 5 10 15 20 25
Y
e
i
l
d

p
o
i
n
t
,

Y
p

(
l
b
/
1
0
0
f
t
)

mass of gypsum, g
Yeild point against mass of gypsum
y-values
lines (y-value)
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8.0 CALCULATIONS
1. Apparent viscosity, (a) =600/2 (cp)
For 5g: 10g:
= 35.0 / 2 =39.6/2
= 17.50 cp =19.8 cp
15g: 20g:
= 45.0 / 2 =22.5/2
= 22.5 cp =11.25 cp

2. Plastic viscosity (p) =600300 (cp)
5g: 10g:
= 35.0-34.7 =39.6-36.2
= 0.3 cp = 3.4 cp
15g: 20g:
=45-34.5 = 22.5-9.4
=10.5 cp = 13.1 cp

3. Yield point (yp) =300p 0.5 n/m2 (lb/100 ft2)
5g: 10g:
=34.7-0.3(0.5) =36.2-3.4(0.5)
= 34.55 =34.5
15g: 20g:
=34.5-10.5(0.5) =9.4-13.1(0.5)
= 29.25 =2.85







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9.0 DISCUSSION
9.1 DENSITY
The term weight is used in connection with mud more often than density, even
though density is the more correct term. This is a consequence of the first attempts to
measure properties of mud. In this experiment, we use mud balance to find the density of
mud. The unit used here is ppg (pound per gallon).
Ideally, a mud weight as low as the weight of water is desired, for optimum drilling
rate sand for minimizing the chances of fracturing the formation. However, in practice, mud
density in excess of two times the density of water may be necessary, to contain abnormal
pressures or to mechanically stabilize unstable formations.
From the data obtained, drilling fluid with amount of Gypsum added are 0g, 5g, 10g,
15g, and 20g have density about 8.50ppg, 8.80ppg, 9.00ppg, 9.30ppg and 9.50ppg
respectively. It is clearly seen from Figure 1 that the value of density in increased when we
increase the amount of Gypsum.
Firstly, we must clean the mass balance before using it. There might be some dust
and dirt inside it. Even it is in small quantity, more or less it will affect our reading. Then,
during finding the density of drilling mud by using mud balance, ensure that the air bubble is
correctly positioned at the centre. While we doing the experiment, we try hardly to put the
bubble at the centre. Because of time constraining, we just take the reading when the
bubble is getting nearer to the centre.

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9.2 PLASTIC VISCOSITY (PV)
PV is one of the parameter of the Bingham plastic model. PV is the slope of the shear stress/shear
rate line above the yield point.

PV represents the viscosity of a mud when extrapolated to infinite shear rate on the
basis of the mathematics of the Bingham model. YP is also the other parameter of that
model. A low PV indicates that the mud is capable of drilling rapidly because of the low
viscosity of mud exiting at the bit. High PV is caused by a viscous base fluid and by excess
clay. To lower PV, a reduction in solids content can be achieved by dilution of the mud.
However, in this experiment, we added different amount of Gypsum to drilling fluid
so that we will know either the PV is increasing or decreasing when we increase the amount
of Gypsum.
9.3 YIELD POINT (YP)
YP is the yield stress extrapolated to a shear rate of zero. A Bingham plastic fluid
plots as a straight line on a shear rate (x-axis) versus shear stress (y-axis) plot, in which YP is
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the zero-shear-rate intercept. PV is the slope of the line. From this experiment, YP is
calculated from 300- and 600-rpm viscometer dial readings by subtracting PV from the 300-
rpm dial reading.
( p 0.5 N/m (lb/100ft2)
YP is used to evaluate the ability of a mud to lift cuttings out of the annulus. A high
YP implies a non-Newtonian fluid, one that carries cuttings better than a fluid of similar
density but lower YP.
However, in this experiment, we added different amount of Gypsum to drilling fluid
so that we will know either the YP is increasing or decreasing when we increase the amount
of Gypsum. Drilling fluid with amount of Gypsum added are , 5g, 10g, 15g, and 20g have YP
about 34.55cP,34.5cP, 29.25cP, and 2.85cP respectively. This is clearly shown at Figure 2.









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10.0 CONCLUSIONS
Drilling fluid with amount of Gypsum added are 0g, 5g, 10g, 15g, and 20g have
density about 10.3ppg, 10.2ppg, 10.9ppg, 10.9ppg and 10.6ppg respectively. Density of mud
gives huge impact on rate of penetration of drill bit. To slow down the rate of penetration,
add more Gypsum to the mud.
Drilling fluid with amount of Gypsum added are 0g, 5g, 10g, 15g, and 20g have PV for
about 0, 1, 10, 10 and 11 lb/100ft respectively. For better works, reduce the plastic
viscosity of drilling mud. A low PV indicates that the mud is capable of drilling rapidly
because of the low viscosity of mud exiting at the bit.
Drilling fluid with amount of Gypsum added are 0g, 5g, 10g, 15g, and 20g have YP
about 20cP, 22.5cP, 13cP, 17cP, and 15.5cP respectively. For better works during drilling,
increase the yield point of the drilling mud. A high YP mud can carries cuttings better than a
fluid of similar density but lower YP.







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11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Clean the outside and inside of mass balance before using it.
2. Start the experiment (mud balance part) early so that can find the density correctly.
3. Crush the Gypsum into powder before add it into mud.
4. Use spatula to clean the beaker when pouring the mud into another container.














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12.0 REFERENCES


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-6I6kyRXc4 (Plastic Viscosity of Drilling Mud)
Sharma, A. (2011, 10 20). Mud Rheology Test. Retrieved from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/69577132/Mud-Rheology-Test
http://petrowiki.org/Mud_contamination.
Geology and Drilling Laboratory Manual Lab.
http://www.wipertrip.com/drilling-fluids/contamination/332-drilling-fluid-contamination.html




13.0 APPENDICES

Figure 4 Gypsum is being weighed by mass balance Figure 5 pH meter to find pH of drilling mud

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Figure 6 Mud balance is use to find density of mud Figure 7 200ml mud is prepared in 4 beaker

Figure 8 the mixer