CASE STUDY

Whole Mud System Dewatered with 20 Hours

Less Processing Time in Colorado Field Trial
The new containerized and acclimatized Desagering* Unit Type 2
exceeded mud-feed design specifications during the field trial. With the
use of the M-I SWACO CD-600* centrifuge, the unit was able to process
used mud at up to 140 gal/min.
Diana Garcia, M-I SWACO Project Engineer

The Situation

On a multi-well drilling pad in Colorado, each well needed to be dewatered for reuse on
the next well. Drilling time was averaging 710 days and the mud volume needed to be
dewatered within a 24-hr period during which the rig skidded to the next well.
On previous wells it had not been possible to dewater the whole mud volume during the
available 24-hr period for skidding the rig. Mud feed rates were poor, often as low as 20 gal/
min; the feed rate needed to increase significantly to enable the whole mud volume to be
dewatered to 8.4 lb/gal between wells.

The Solution

The Problem

With muds increasing in complexity and

becoming heavily loaded with added or
drilled clays and a con- stantly changing
feed stream, it can become difficult for
dewatering engineers to achieve the
required quality of recovered fluid.
The Situation

Due to drilling time requirements, wells

on a multi-well drilling pad in Colorado
needed to be dewatered for reuse while
the rig was skidding to the next well.
The Solution

Our new portable, fully-automated

Dewagering systems and chemically
enhanced centrifugation techniques
enable muds remaining at the end of a
well to be recycled. This significantly
reduces the consumption of water for
drilling fluid makeup and provides further
savings in haul-off and disposal costs.

The M-I SWACO Dewatering Unit Type 2 is a fully automated, plug-and-play unit and
was designed for a mud feed capacity of 100 gal/min. With the use of CD-600 Centrifuge
equipment, up to 140 gal/min can be processed.
The 30-ft long x 8-ft wide x 9-ft high Unit Type 2 is enclosed in a single, purpose-built ISO
shipping container. It is fully acclimatized for arctic winter or desert summer (-40 to +120F)
temperatures.

The Results

In this first dewatering trial for which the CD-600 centrifuge unit was used, the capability
of the unit was fully tested while dewatering about 900 bbl of a 9.8 lb/gal bentonite polymer
mud. The mud was successfully dewatered to obtain an effluent density of 8.4 lb/gal using an
anionic coagulant, an anionic flocculant polymer and dilution with recycled effluent.
With the feed rate of 140 gal/min, the added volume of 50 gal/min dilution water, and the
water added with the coagulant and flocculant polymer, the actual flow rate through the
centrifuge was in excess of 200 gal/min. The maximum mud feed rate was a function of the
pump and not the CD-600 centrifuge. The centrifuge was easily capable of processing higher
volumes.

Summary

Throughout the Dewatering Unit Type 2 field trial with the CD- 600 Centrifuge, the effluent
was maintained at 8.4 lb/gal compared to the feed mud density of 9.8 lb/gal. As the mud
contained high amounts of clay, it was necessary to dilute with water to maintain optimum
performance. The effluent was recovered as a relatively clear fluid. It was regularly tested to
help ensure no polymer or coagulant carryover, even at high flow rates. The effluent was also
reused for dilution at a rate of 50 gal/min so no increase in volume was created.
Tests were successfully carried out and maximum capability rates established for feed
rate, dilution rate and chemical injection rates. The whole mud system was dewatered in
approximately 20 hr less processing time compared to previous wells and each well on the
pad was dewatered while the drilling rig was skidding to the next well.

The Results

The whole mud system was dewatered in approximately 20 hr less processing time
compared to previous wells.
Clear recovered effluent at 8.4 lb/gal

Specifications
Unit
ft (m)
Length
Width
Height
Input Voltage
Input Frequency
Ingress Protection
Handling
Dilution/effluent
Coagulant dosing pump

Maximum
Capacity Rating,
gal/min
(ft3/min) [w/10-lb/
gal feed mud]

Rate
gal/min
(ft3/min)

Total
Capacity
gal (L)

30 (9)
8 (2.4)
8 (2.6)
3 phase 480
VAC
5060 Hz
IP55
140 (18.7)
50 (6.7)
10 (1.3)
60
(8.02)

Acid/Alkali dosing pump

Polymer tank: 3-section

480 (1,817)
8 at up to 0.5%
by dosage
weight

Polymer dosing pump

Coagulant tank
Coagulant dosing pump

Rate
gal/hr
(ft3/hr)

70 (9.4)
10 at up to 30%
by dosage
weight

Questions? Well be glad to answer them

If youd like to know more about the Dewatering Unit Type 2 product and how its performing
for our other customers, please call the M-I SWACO office nearest you.

This information is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I SWACO makes no guarantees or
warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy and use of this data. All product
warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the Standard Terms of Sale. Nothing in this document
is legal advice or is a substitute for competent legal advice.

2008 M-I L.L.C. All rights reserved. *Mark of M-I L.L.C.

DPR.0405a.0810.R1(E)

P.O. Box 42842

Houston, Texas 77242-2842
www.miswaco.slb.com
Email: questions@miswaco.slb.com