Aim:

The aim of this experiment is to determine the percentage of sand particular in the
drilling fluid by sand content equipment.

Theory:

Sand content is defined as anything retained on a 200 mesh screen and the percentage
volume of particles larger than 74 microns. The volume of sand, including the spaces
between the grains, is expressed as a percentage of the volume of the slurry. The value
read from the measuring tube is reported as percentage by volume. Excessive sand may
result in the deposition of sand settling in the hole.

Effects of high sand content in normal mud rotary drilling, it is not unusual for solids
content to approach 20 percent of returns during fast-hole drilling. This is good; it means
fast penetration and thus, a quicker, more profitable hole. The trick is to get the solids out
of the mud before it is returned to the hole. This historically has been done with settling
pits. As the mud returns from the hole at high speed, it carries the cuttings up to the
surface. The mud then flows into the pits and slows down, allowing the cuttings to settle
by gravity to the bottom before the mud returns to the hole. In theory, this works well, but
in the real world, it leaves a lot to be desired.(Nash, 2007)

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Apparatus:
• Electronic balance: a device is used to accuracy measure amount of mass. (Shows
in Fig. 1.)
• Beaker: a small container used for measuring volume (ml) of liquid. (Shows in
Fig. 2.)
• Mud balance: device is used for determination of mud density. (Shows in Fig. 3.)
• Mixer: a device that is moved by an electric motor for mixing a mixture. (shows
in Fig 4)
• The sand content kit: is a simple, accurate and inexpensive sieve analysis
apparatus for determining the sand content of drilling muds.(shows in fig. 5)
• Glass measuring tube: a glass is used for measuring volume of percent of
sand.(shows in fig. 6)
• Wash bottle: a device is used to clean sands by spray water.(shows in fig. 7)
• Funnel Mesh screen: used to take sands. (shows in fig. 8)

Fig. 1 electric balance Fig. 2 beaker Fig. 3 mud balance Fig. 4 mixer

Fig. 5 sand content kit Fig. 6 glass tube Fig. 7 wash bottle Fig. mesh funnel

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Test equipment:

The Sand Content Kit consists of special developed sieve with mesh-size 0.08 mm (200-
mesh), a proper plastic funnel and a special modeled measuring tube. A mark at the
measuring tube indicates the amount of the filled in drilling fluid. The percentage of sand
may read off directly from the measuring tube graduated from 0 to 20%.

Fig. 9 sand content equipment

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Procedure:
 Fill the measuring tube to the indicated mark with mud. Use the wash bottle to
add water to the upper mark. Close the mouth of the tube and shake vigorously
 Pour the mixture onto the clean sieve. Discard the liquid passing through the
screen.
 Add more fluid from the wash bottle to the tube, shake, and again pour onto the
sieve. Repeat until all the drilling fluid has been washed out of the tube.
 Flush the screen with fluid from the wash bottle to free the sand remaining on the
sieve of any remaining mud.
 Fit the funnel upside down over the top of the sieve. Slowly invert the assembly
and insert the tip of the funnel into the mouth of the glass measuring tube.
 Wash the sand into the tube by spraying a fine spray of fluid from the water
bottle through the sieve (tapping on the side of the sieve with a spatula handle
may facilitate the process). Allow the sand to settle.
 Using the scale on the graduated tube, read the volume percent of sand.
 Report the sand content of the mud in percent by volume (% by volume). Take
into account coarse solids obtained on the screen.
 After each use, wash the screen, funnel and tube free of any dirt, and dry
thoroughly. Take special care to clean and dry the 200-mesh screen.

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Calculation:

5
Result and discussion:
Result:
Table 1 calculate of sand content
measurements data
Volume of water (cc) 200
Mass of bentonite (gm) 13
Mass of barite (gm) 2
Density of mud ( ppg) 8.58
Sand content (%) 0.5%

Discussion:
In this test we measured the sand content of the drilling fluid for our purpose sand is size
on drilling fluid that greater than 74μm for 200 mesh, we knew amount of sand content
by using the sand content equipment and mesh 200 screen, we prepared the mud from
bentonite, barite and water, so for our purpose we use the 200 cc of liquid, and density of
mud is 8.58 ppg , after doing procured amount of sand content in mud is (%0.5).

Conclusion:

In conclusion learned the sand is amount of particular that greater than 74μm in the
drilling fluid, the drilling fluid properties required will depend on 1) the type and size of
the drilling equipment to be used, and2) down hole conditions anticipated or encountered.
Properties of the drilling fluid are to be measured in accordance with the procedure of the
API, the test should be conducted 1) every fifty feet 50 of depth, or 2) every four 4
circulating hours, or3) whenever the conditions appear to have changed or problem arise.
In sand content should not be rise in 2 % of volume if rise it cause to accumulation in
surface, accumulation in down hole, and erosion of down hole and surface equipment.

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References:

Nash, W. ( 2007). Effects of High Sand Content in Drill Mud. Nationaldriller.com

[online], available: https://www.nationaldriller.com/articles/84758-effects-of-high-sand-
content-in-drill-mud[accessed November 17, 2019]

Stephen, P. (2003), "Sand Management: A Review of Approaches and concerns", SPE

European Formation Damage Conference, The Hague, Netherlands.