Drilling Fluid 2016

Chapter 1
Introduction to Drilling Fluid

Drilling fluid and Its basic functions

Circulating system
Classification of drilling fluid
Composition of water-based drilling fluid

1.1 Drilling Fluid and Its Basic Functions

The term drilling fluid includes all of the compositions used to aid the production and
removal of cuttings while drilling.
In order to maintain a stable borehole, drilling fluid must provide the following
necessary functions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Removal of cuttings from the hole.

Balancing the hydrostatic pressure.
Cooling and lubricating the bit and drillstring.
Preventing hole collapsing.
Forming an impermeable filter cake on the borehole wall. Therefore, reducing
formation damage.
6. Partial aid in supporting drillstring and casing weight by buoyancy.
7. Allowing interpretation of well logs.
8. Transmission of the surface-available hydraulic horsepower to the bit.
In addition to the above mentioned functions, drilling fluids also perform a number of
secondary functions such as:
1. Minimizing lost circulation.
2. Preventing stuck pipe while drilling.
3. Controlling well kicks and blowouts.
4. Maintaining adequate rate of penetration.
Beside all of the above-mentioned functions, drilling fluid must somehow be
compatible with drilled cuttings. This means that the fluid should not alter the original
rock properties, which are a useful data source to the geologist.

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1.2 Circulating System

Drilling fluid plays an important role in the circulating system. The fluid in the system
is continuously pumped down the hole through the hose, drillpipe and ejected out
through the bit nozzles. It picks up the cuttings and travels back to the surface through
the annulus between the drillpipe and either the borehole wall or the casing. The
returning fluid goes through a number of auxiliary equipment such as shale shakers,
desanders, desilters, etc., and is reconditioned by accessory equipment before being
returned to the mud-tank for the next circulation (see Fig. 1.1).

SWIVEL
ROTARY
HOSE

STANDPIPE

KELLY
SLUSH
PUMP

PUMP
DISCHARGE
LINE
MUD RETURN LINE

BOREHOLE

SUCTION

ANNULUS

CHEMICAL TANK
SHALE SHAKER

MIXING HOPPER

SUCTION PIT

TO RESERVE PIT

DRILLPIPE

SETTLING PIT
SHALE SLIDE

Fig. 1.1 Drilling fluid circulating system.

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1.3 Classification of Drilling Fluid

Drilling fluids are commonly classified according to their base fluid, into three major
groups:
1. Water-base drilling fluid.
a. Fresh water
b. Chemically treated
c. Calcium treated
d. Salt water
e. Oil emulsion
2. Oil-base drilling fluid.
a. Oil-based mud
b. Invert emulsion mud
3. Air/Gas-base drilling fluid.
a. Air or natural gas
b. Aerated mud
c. Mist
d. Foam
e. Gel foam
A brief definition of the three main classes of fluids is given below:

Water-Based Fluid
Water is the continuous liquid phase in this type of fluid. Solid materials such as
bentonite, polymer, barite and some other chemical additives are added to the
fluid to achieve the desired properties. This type is the most widely used in the
field today. Since its the most preferred drilling fluid, it will be further discussed
in this chapter.

Oil-Based Fluid
In oil-based fluid, oil is the continuous liquid phase. Emulsifying agents and barite
are added to obtain the required properties. This type of fluid is used to solve
some drilling problems and extra care must be taken to avoid environmental
pollution.

Air/Gas Drilling Fluid

Air/gas is the continuous phase and is compressed and then injected into the hole
to clean the hole. Water and some other additives can be added to it to improve
carrying properties. This type is the most rarely utilized and even then only to drill
a portion of the hole

Although drilling fluid technology has been developed to an advanced stage, the
technology is still improving from day to day. The ultimate goal is to achieve the
lowest cost successful completion of each borehole without interference to the normal
productivity of the pay zone. However, the most important concerns when designing a
fluid system are for the safety of the rig personnel and the protection of the
environment.

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1.4 Composition of Water-Based Drilling Fluid

In the early days, water was the first drilling fluid used to soften the ground formation
to make drilling a little easier. In todays drilling, water is still the principal
component of most drilling fluids.
The continuous phase of the water-based fluid suspends the reactive colloidal solids
and provides a solution medium for all the chemical additives used to rectify the fluid.
The composition of water-based fluid can be very simple, though it depends upon the
requirements of a particular drilling operation. In some areas, the water phase can be
fresh or salty, depending on water availability and the types of formation to be drilled.
The three principal components of water-based fluid are:
1. Water as continuous liquid phase,
2. Inert fraction,
3. Colloidal fraction as the reactive portion.

Continuous Liquid Phase

The purpose of having a continuous liquid phase is to dissolve chemicals for
controlling pH and other ions in the fluid. The make-up water determines the type
of water-based fluid, which can be subclassified based on the amount of NaCl
into:
Fresh-water fluid, ( < 10,000 ppm)
Salt-water fluid, ( > 10,000 ppm)
Hard water fluid, (large amounts of calcium or magnesium ions)
Water is the continuous phase, but it may contain oil (i.e. , emulsion mud) or air
(i.e., aerated mud) as the discontinuous phase. The oil must remain as segregated
droplets and not combine in a distinct phase termed discontinuous (Fig. 1.2).

DISCONTINUOUS
PHASE (OIL)

CONTINUOUS
PHASE (WATER)

Figure 1.2 A water-based mud has water as the continuous phase; it may (but not
necessarily) contain oil as the discontinuous phase.

Inert Fraction

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They are normally weighting materials such as: barite, sand and other inert solids.
This fraction contributes little to the viscous properties of the fluid.

Colloidal Fraction
This is the vital fraction of the fluid and directly controls its physical and chemical
properties. It constitutes only a small proportion of the total solids, but it has a
relatively high effect on regulating the flow and filtration properties of the fluid.
Some common colloids used in drilling fluids include the clay particles (bentonite,
attapulgite, sepiolite), polymeric materials (cellulose derivatives, natural and
synthetic polymers) and some other chemical additives (KCl, NaOH, Na2CO3,
etc.).

References
1. Technical Manual for Drilling, Completion and Workover Fluids by IDF.

School of Petroleum Engineering, UNSW Australia