Table of Contents

1. Summary................................................................................................................... 2
2. Introduction................................................................................................................ 3
3. Objectives.................................................................................................................. 3
4. Theory....................................................................................................................... 4
5. Apparatus.................................................................................................................. 4
6. Procedure.................................................................................................................. 6
7. Result....................................................................................................................... 7
8. Calculation................................................................................................................. 8
9. Discussion................................................................................................................. 8
10. Conclusion............................................................................................................. 10
11. Recommendation.................................................................................................... 11
12. References............................................................................................................ 11
14. Appendices............................................................................................................ 12

1. Summary

This experiment is carried out to study the effect of gypsum on the density, Plastic viscosity
and the Yield point of drilling mud used. Firstly, the initial weight of the mud which is not
contaminated with Gypsum is taken and the density, Plastic viscosity and Yield point are
recorded. Then, different weight of Gypsum is added into the mud before being tested using
viscometer and weighted using mud balance. The density, Plastic viscosity and Yield point of the
mud being contaminated with Gypsum weighted 5g .10g, 15g and 20g respectively. The readings
are compared with the mud that not being contaminated. The graph of density, Plastic viscosity
and Yield point versus amount of Gypsum added are plotted and all of the graphs show
increasing linearly.

2. Introduction
Bentonite slurry are prepared using fresh water , the bentonite will cause hydrate and
agitation furnished by the mixer in a sufficient to separate the hydrated clay plate lets and
resulting in a increasing of viscosity ad gel strength. If the bentonite are place in salty water or
water containing dissolved hardness (calcium or magnesium ) the hydration and subsequent
dispersion will reduce the agitation.Mud are said to be contaminated when a foreign substance or
material enters the mud system, and causing undesirable changes in mud properties such as the
density, the viscosity and filtration. Generally water base mud system are the most susceptible to
contamination of various type materials. Mud contaminated can also be from overtreatment of the
mud system with additives or cause by foreign material enter the drilling mud during drilling.

3. Objectives

To study the effect of contamination of gypsum (CaSO 4-2H2O) to the density , plastic Viscosity
and Yield Point of water base mud.

4. Theory
Theory of mud contamination is that mud are contaminated when there is
foreign material disturb the overall mud system. Thus, causes the mud properties to
change. Foreign materials can be any mineral that is added to the mud for example
bentonite Gypsum, calcium, potassium formate and etc. which the adding of this
foreign change the mud properties that are determine form the yield point, gel
strength , pH, specific gravity and plastic viscosity.
Water base mud are compose of clay , betonies, water and some
addictives for controlling the mud properties. Water based fluid is a suspension of

particulate minerals, it dissolved salts, and organic compounds in freshwater, seawater, or

concentrated brine. When water-based fluids (WBFs) are used, only limited environmental harm
is likely to occur
Gypsum is a very soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dehydrate, with the chemical
formula CaSO4. Where the present of Calcium ions flocculate bentonite based muds

and other water based muds containing reactive clays giving rise to changes in
rheology (decrease in plastic viscosity and increase in yield point and gels) and loss
of filtration control. The presence of increased calcium levels can be verified from
chemical analysis of the filtrate. The combination of high calcium levels and high pH
will precipitate most common polymers used in water based muds loss of rheology
and filtrate control will result.
The test are start by determine the specific gravity of the gypsum using the mud
balance. Then the experiment are continued by determine the apparent viscosity
and plastic viscosity using the viscosity meter. After obtaining the and plastic
viscosity and yield point of the contaminated mud, the pH reading was taken using
the pH meter. The pH of gypsum is normally neutral in pH ranging 7 to 7.5 pH.
Water based mud also is said to be ranging from 7 to 12 pH value which can be
neutral or alkaline. Theoretically, the pH of the mixture (water based mud with
gypsum) will leads to alkaline mixture. This depends on the amount of gypsum
added and also the original pH of the mud we used.

5. Apparatus

The Fann viscometer model a35

The Fann mass balance
The digital pH meter reading.
The Hamilton beach mixer
Spatula
Beakers
Cylinder
Water based mud
Gypsum

6. Procedure
General
1. 200ml of water base mud are prepared.
2. The water base mud are tested for it weight , density , Ph, plastic viscosity
and yield point using viscometer. The data obtain then are recorded into a
table.
3. The water base mud are then are contaminated with 5 grams of gypsum.
4. It then are stir again using mixer for 3 minute.
5. The sample then are tested for it mud weight , density ,pH, plastic viscosity
and yield point.
6. Another 200ml of base mud are prepared in a beaker.
7. The step in 3- 6 are repeated using 10, 15, and 20 grams of gypsum.
8. The data then are recorded and plot in a graph of density Pv and Yp versus
the amount of gypsum.

Density

1 Firstly, the mud balance calibration can be checked using water.

2 Fresh water should be give a reading of 1.00 SG.
3 If the mud balance does not give correct measurement for fresh water, then the
instrument should be cleaned.
4 To start the experiment, the balance cup should be cleaned and dry before filling
it with the sample.
5 Tap the side of the balance cup several time to break up any blocked air or gas
bubbles.
6 Replace the lid and rotate until firmly seated, making sure some mud is expelled
through the hole in the cup.
7 Wash or wipe the mud from the outside of the cup.
8 Fit the knife edge of the balance arm into the fulcrum and move the rider along
the arm to balance the assembly. The mud balance is horizontal when the level
bubble fluctuates an equal distance to either side of the centre line.
9 Take the reading from the side of the rider where the arrow point.

A: VISCOSITY
1

The viscometer is set up first.

The mud cup and rotor bob are cleaned.

250 ml of mud are prepared and poured into the mud cup.

The viscometer is switched on and the experiment is started by setting up the speed of 600
rpm.

The reading on the viscometer is recorded.

Steps 4 and 5 are repeated five times by varying the speed of 300 rpm, 200 rpm, 100 rpm, 6
rpm and 3 rpm.

The data is tabulated on the table.

C: YIELD POINT
1

The data of yield point is tabulated by using the formula.

7. Result
Result
A) Without contamination
Volume
Base
mud (ml)

Weight
mud
(SG)

200

1.24

Dial
Reading
at
600rpm
45

Dial
Reading
at 300
rpm
27

Plastic
viscosity
(cp)

Dial
Reading
at 300
rpm
22
25
28
28

Plastic
viscosity
(cp)

18

Yield
Point
(Ib/100ft2
)
18

Densit
y

pH

18

Yield
Point
(Ib/100ft2
)
14.0
17.0
18.5
18.5

Densit
y

pH

10.1
10.1
10.5
10.6

6.03
6.01
6.06
6.03

B) with contamination
Weight
of
gypsum
(g)
5
10
15
20

Weight
mud
(SG)
1.23
1.23
1.26
1.27

Result Table

Dial
Reading
at
600rpm
38
41
47
47

16
16
19
19

Density versus Weight of gypsum

10.7
10.6
10.5
f(x) = 0.01x + 10.24

10.4
Density (SG)

10.3

Density

10.2

Linear (Density)

10.1
10
9.9
9.8
0

10

15

20

25

Weight of gypsum (g)

Plastic viscosity versus Weight of gypsum

20

Plastic viscosity
(cp)

19
18
Plastic viscosity
(cp)

Linear (Plastic viscosity

(cp)
)

17
16
15
14
0

10

15

20

Weight of gypsum (g)

25

Yield Point vs Weight of gypsum

20
15
Yield Point (Ib/100ft)

10

Yield Point (Ib/100ft)

Linear (Yield Point (Ib/100ft))

5
0
0

10 15 20 25

Weight of gypsum
(g)

pH vs Weight of gypsum
6.08
6.06

6.06

6.04
pH

6.03

6.02
6

6.03

pH
Linear (pH)

6.01

5.98
5.96
0

10

15

20

25

Weight of gypsum

8. Calculation

Example of calculation
1

Initial reading (mud without being contaminated by Gypsum)

Apparent viscosity,( a)
600 / 2 (cP)

45/2

22.5 cP
Plastic viscosity, (

Yield point (yp)

45-27 cP

18 cP

300

600

300

(cP)

0.5 N/m2 (lb/100ft2)

18(0.5)

27

18 lb/100ft2

9. Discussion
Gypsum is a ground calcium sulfate dehydrate, which function as source of calcium and
alkalinity in gypsum based drilling fluid. Gypsum are also added to fluids to precipitate high
levels of carbonate when additions of lime that could rise the pH above desired levels, gypsum
also can increase the chloride levels.
From the result of experiment, it show that gypsum do effect the water base mud it can
be seen in the result of the graph where it can effect the density , viscosity , pH and yield point .

This is because water base mud it susceptible ability which allow other foreign material easily
dissolve in it composition.
It can be observe from the graph that the density of the mud increase with the increase 5
gram of gypsum that added to the water base mud in each experiment conducted. Thus this
resulting change in the density of the water base mud, which may lead undesirable in real
situation during drilling. Where mud density is define as the mass of mud divided by it volume.
Thus mud weight are depend on the quantity of the solid in the liquid phase. Mud density can
easily increase above from it normal density by a result of adding other material to it such a solid
or other soluble material. Thus, the addition of gypsum effect as the quantity of the particles it
mud which then soluble but still remain the same volume.
Next it can be observe that plastic viscosity also increase slightly base on the graph of
plastic viscosity (PV) versus the weight of gypsum. The increase of the plastic viscosity maybe
due to the increase of ions of particle in the gypsum that was added to the water base mud. But in
actual condition the plastic viscosity will be decrease as the effect of the present of the calcium
ion in the gypsum because of the calcium ion flocculate bentonite that are contain in the
water based muds and causing the decrease in plastic viscosity. Where ,Plastic

viscosity is the shear stress which are develops as one of fluid slides over another which
involving the movement of particles. It also determine that, the friction between layer of fluid and
also provide scale for describing the thickness of the fluid. The viscosity are also effected by the
temperature where at high temperature it will break the bond of liquid forming gases. Low PV
indicate that the mud is capable of drilling rapidly because of the low viscosity of mud existing at
the bit. Thus the increasing of the plastic viscosity will cause the water base mud become more
gel and decrease the drilling rate .

From the experiment of the contaminated of gypsum, it can be seen that gypsum also
effecting the yield point of the mud as the amount gypsum added increase by 5 gram. Where
,yield point are important part in drilling mud system which use to measure the attractive force
between particles of mud and force causes the mud to change to gel. Where the gel strength are
mud ability to hold solid suspensions. Where high yield point will allow the drilling fluid to carry
cutting better than fluid of similar density but low yield point. The yield point of the mud are
increasing as a result of electro-chemical under dynamic condition. Where the increase of electro

chemical may due to the present ions such as Ca+2 ,SO4-2, OH- and H+ which certain ions already
contained in the gypsum. This increasing of ions as a result of the contamination causing the
attractive force between the ions increase thus resulting the rising of the yield point.

Lastly the mud pH, suppose from the experiment the mud pH should be around 7~ 14 in
pH value. But due to some of the error during conduct the pH meter only show the half value of it
actual. The error maybe due to the equipment that has been long not calibrated. As know , the pH
of mud should be near to the alkaline state, and the addition of the gypsum will increase the mud
alkylation more form it original mud because gypsum are an alkaline base material that lowering
the acidity of other substance. So basically, as the amount gypsum increase , the mud pH value
also should be increase. High pH the value, mean calcium solubility are very limited. This ,low
amount of calcium and high of alkaline structure making thus more suitable to be used to drill
formation with acidic pH value to prevent it from corrode the drill pipe.

10. Conclusion
As conclusion of this experiment, we can conclude that gypsum do
change the properties of the water based mud. Which can be seen form the
result of the changes in the mud weight, yield point, and plastic viscosity
which show slightly increase, upon the increase of the gypsum into the mud.
The change of the mud properties mostly due to the present of calcium ions.
For the pH meter the show some error in the reading where should be the
should be more alkaline with increase of the gypsum amount added. This
result should be increase because of the mud pH already near neutral or
alkaline, thus with the added gypsum to the mud it should make the mud
more alkaline because of gypsum properties are alkaline .

11. Recommendation

1. Make sure there are no bubble are present during the glue of the rock, thus
this will cause an misunderstanding during the observation of the slide under
microscope .
2. Make two slide from the same sample to get more accurate observation on
the slide .
3. After gridder the slide , use the sand paper and water to clean the smoother
the slide.
4. Use focusing image and adjust the color intensity to take a detail image of
the sample

12. References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drilling_fluid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsum
http://www.scribd.com/doc/44443478/Mud-Contaminant#
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Density
http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Display.cfm?Term=gyp%20mud
www.cpchem.com/bl/drilling/en-us/.../DrillThinThinner.pdf
www-static.shell.com/static/.../neff_final_draft_gs_072010.pdf

14. Appendices
Diagram of Sample.