Purpose:

We learn that while we do drilling we chose the mud weight in such a way which is little higher
than formation pressure gradient. This pressure difference will cause the mud to flow in
formation and create mud cake. This low permeability wall will stop further will give stability to
drilled hole.
In this experiment we want to find out more about filtration properties of mud which we made it
in laboratory and we want to see how mud cake will form. We should note that this experiment
holds on steady state conditions but as a result it is useful to get a prospect about fluid loss and
formation of filter cake.

Results and Interpretation:

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 11 1021.8 4 5.5 3

300 7 510.9 4 7 3
200 5 340.6 4 7.5 3
100 3 170.3 4 9 3
6 1 10.218 4 50 3
3 0.5 5.109 4 50 3

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 a) Apparent Viscosity vs. Shear rate

1000

Apparent Viscosity 100

10

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Shear Rate

As we see in last experiments there are not evidence changes in type of curve while we change
mud weight or change its viscosity and apparent viscosity is not decreasing a lot if we compare
this curve with curves in last experiments. In This graph we can see that by increasing the amount
of shear rate our apparent viscosity will decrease.

b) Gel Strength vs. Time

4.5
y = 0.0059x + 0.4508
Gel Strength

1.5

0
0 150 300 450 600 750
Time

In this experiment our mud is good gel (Favorable gel).

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c) Volume of filtrate vs. √t

Thicker Mud
20
y = 0.7074x + 0.442
Filtrate Volume 15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
t^(1/2)

Thinner Mud
16
y = 0.6325x + 1.8008
Filtrated Volume

12

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
t^(1/2)

By extrapolating the curves we can find the spurt loss. We can see in thicker mud our spurt
loss is less than the thinner mud. In thicker mud this volume is equal to 0.442 cc but in
thinner one we have a 1.8008 cc.
As we can see the rate of fluid loss is decrease while we decrease the viscosity of our fluid
but we can neglect from this amount.

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Conclusion:
Loss circulation is defined as the loss of drilling fluid from the well to subsurface formations. It
depends on several factors such as amount and size of solid particles which are forming the mud
and moreover the permeability and porosity of formation.
We can conclude that by decreasing the mud viscosity our fluid loss will increase and this can
shows us the fact about the importance of particle size in lost circulation. Although we have large
size distribution of particles, the mud cake which is created has lowest stability in contrast with
mud which is formed by small particle sizes.

Questions:

1) How does fluid loss influence a drilling operation?

Lost circulation is defined as the loss of drilling fluid from the well to subsurface
formations. This condition is detected as surface when the flow rate out of annulus is less
than the pump rate into the well.
Lost circulation can cause the swab in the formation and this will lead to lash out the drill
strings and we have kick.

2) What is the spurt loss in filtration process?

Spurt loss in filtration process is the action of fluid as we start to apply pressure on it. In
other word we can assume the amount of fluid which is going through the filter paper at
the beginning of the experiment.

3) What does fluid loss in formation depend on?

Lost circulation occurs when:
 Extremely high permeability formations are encountered, such as a gravel bed, oyster
bed, or vugular limestone.
 A fractured formation is encountered as created because of excessive well bore
pressure.
Generally we can say that loss circulation is depend on several factors such as amount and
size of solid particles which are forming the mud and moreover the permeability and porosity
of formation.

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4) How is mud cake formation in a real drilling operation different from the process
that happened in your experiment?
In this experiment we do filtration process of mud in laboratory conditions and we want to
see how mud cake will form. We should note that this experiment holds on steady state
conditions but as a result it is useful to get a prospect about fluid loss and formation of filter
cake. In the real drilling operations we have unsteady state conditions which is lead to more
complicated processes and also our filter paper is not homogenous through all parts of the
well bore so we have different mud cakes we different properties.

5) Assume that we have high solid content mud. We are drilling trough a porous and
permeable formation. Explain how solid content effects filtration process and the
problem that may occur during a drilling operation.
The solids will go trough the permeable formation and they will produce a stable mud
cake if their size are extremely small but if our mud has particles with large size
distribution we will not have a stable mud cake and so we have lost circulation. And this
high level of solid content will lead too close the formation and it does not let the
reservoir fluid to flow through the well bore

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Purpose:

Results and Interpretation:

Caustic Soda

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 123 1021.8 7 61.5 109

300 116 510.9 7 116 109
200 110 340.6 7 165 109
100 98 170.3 7 294 109
6 46 10.218 7 2300 109
3 39 5.109 7 3900 109

10 3.4
20 4.4
30 5.2
60 6.6
90 7.9
120 9
150 9.8
195 11.2
210 11.6
240 12.1
270 13
300 13.5
360 14.7
420 15.7
450 16.3

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 Caustic Soda + Lignin

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 48 1021.8 16 24 16
300 32 510.9 16 32 16
200 25 340.6 16 37.5 16
100 17 170.3 16 51 16
6 5 10.218 16 250 16
3 3 5.109 16 300 16

T(S) V
10 2.5
20 2.9
30 3
60 3.3
90 4
180 4.8
240 5.4
270 5.6
300 5.8
360 6.2
450 6.4

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a) Apparent Viscosity vs. Shear rate

Starch Agent

Apparent Viscosity
1000

100

10

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Shear Rate

CMC Agent
1000
Apparent Viscosity

100

10

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Shear Rate

As we can see there are not evidence changes in type of curves while we add different agents
and apparent viscosity is decreasing by increasing in shear rate. We can conclude that
apparent viscosity doesn’t depend on type of agents that we use. This is the same as we saw
in last experiments.

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b) Gel Strength vs. Time

Starch Agent
7.5
y = 0.0017x + 5.9831

Gel Strength
(lbf/100sqft)
7

6.5

5.5
0 150 300 450 600 750
Time

CMC Agent
20
y = 0.0254x + 2.7458
15
(lbf/100 sqft)
Gel Strength

10

0
0 200 400 600 800
Time

We can obviously see that while we use than CMC as filtration control agent the gel strength
increase to large values and we should note that the rate of increasing of gel strength by time
will increase too. As we can see even as we use than starch our 10 sec gel strength is larger
than the situation which we use than CMC but the charge of increasing of CMC is more than
starch.

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 c) Volume of filtrated vs. √ t

Without any Agents

20

Volume of Filtrated
y = 0.7074x + 0.442
15

Mud
10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
t^(1/2)

Starch Agent
12
Volume of Filtrated

10
y = 0.2938x + 3.9705
8
Mud

6
4
2
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
t^(1/2)

CMC Agent
Volume of Filtrated

8
y = 0.2279x + 1.7767
6
Mud

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
t^(1/2)

Here we cannot see different alters in type of curve but there are some interesting points that we
can mention. At first by adding CMC our spurt loss will decrease and this can show us that CMC
will decrease filtration loss in some situations more than starch. But as we see the slope of these

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two curves do not change a lot; even though starch has a greater rate of increasing and this be
evidence for us that CMC can reduce filtration loss more than starch.

Conclusion:
We can conclude from this process that by adding different materials we can change the
rehological properties of mud and especially we can manage the filtration loss which can lead to
serious problems during drilling.
CMC tends to deflocculates clay at low concentrations and it will lower gel strength and yield
point in addition to water loss. Starch will increase viscosity of water and so it leads to decreasing
the fluid loss too. In other hands we understand there are some excess to use these chemicals.

Questions:
1) How do CMC and starch lower the fluid loss?
CMC is acting as a material which is deflocculated our clay and by this action it helps us to
reduce fluid loss. CMC tends to deflocculates clay at low concentrations and it will lower gel
strength and yield point in addition to water loss.
In other hand Starch will increase viscosity of water and so it leads to decreasing the fluid
loss too.

2) What materials are used to lower the fluid loss?

The most common materials which are used are: Starch; CMC; Lignite; Humic acid; Ground
caustic zed; Chromium treated and Sulfonated.
In other word we can use than materials which are consists of aromatic and hetro cyclic
structures or materials that have carboxylic acids.

3) What are the limitation of using CMC and starch to control filtration?
0
Sodium Carboxyl methyl Celluse (CMC) can be used at temperature up to 300 F but it is
less effective at salt concentrations above 50000 ppm. Since its thermal degradation begins at
about 200 0F it cannot be used in muds exposed to high temperatures.
But starch is more temperature stable than CMC and it is extremely sensitive to calcium. It
must be added at concentrations above 0.5 lbm/bbl to act as a filtration control agent.

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4) Which one of these polymers do you recommended to use in a mud which is saturated
with salt? Why?
CMC is better to use in mud which has high salt concentrations. Also it is subject to bacterial
action and must be used with a preservative except in saturated saltwater muds.

5) What would be the problem of using starch in fresh, low PH water?

If we use starch in low PH water our environment will be acidizing and it leads to corrupt the
starch so starch loss its properties.

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 Ahwaz Faculty of Petroleum Engineering

Drilling Fluid
laboratory

Salt Contamination

Experiment No.6
Instructor: Eng Majdi Yazdi
Student Name: Amir Asgarzadeh (805227)

Autumn of 1383

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Purpose:

In this experiment we are going to see the effect of salt on mud properties. As we may know in some parts
of drilling operations we may face to high salt content zones or it may in form of brine. In any conditions
Sodium Chloride unfavorably influences negative repelling forces between clay particles. This may
initiate in shrinkage of viscosity and rise in fluid loss which is lead to numerous troubles.
Here we use different salt concentration to find out effect of salt on our mud reheological properties.

Results and Interpretation:

1.75 gr of Salt

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 12.5 1021.8 3.5 6.25 5.5

300 9 510.9 3.5 9 5.5
200 8 340.6 3.5 12 5.5
100 6.5 170.3 3.5 19.5 5.5
6 4 10.218 3.5 200 5.5
3 3.5 5.109 3.5 350 5.5

5.25 gr of Salt

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 13 1021.8 3.5 6.5 6

300 9.5 510.9 3.5 9.5 6
200 8 340.6 3.5 12 6
100 6.5 170.3 3.5 19.5 6
6 4 10.218 3.5 200 6
3 3.5 5.109 3.5 350 6

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 17.5 gr of Salt

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 13.5 1021.8 3 6.75 7.5

300 10.5 510.9 3 10.5 7.5
200 9 340.6 3 13.5 7.5
100 7.5 170.3 3 22.5 7.5
6 4 10.218 3 200 7.5
3 3.5 5.109 3 350 7.5

0.7 gr of Salt

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 18 1021.8 3 9 12
300 15 15 3 15 12
200 12.5 340.6 3 18.75 12
100 10 170.3 3 30 12
6 5.5 10.218 3 275 12
3 3.5 5.109 3 350 12

3.5 gr of Salt

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 18.5 1021.8 4 9.25 10.5

300 14.5 510.9 4 14.5 10.5
200 12.5 340.6 4 18.75 10.5
100 9.75 170.3 4 29.25 10.5
6 5 10.218 4 250 10.5
3 4 5.109 4 400 10.5

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 52.5 gr of Salt

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 25 1021.8 4 12.5 17

300 21 510.9 4 21 17
200 18 340.6 4 27 17
100 11 170.3 4 33 17
6 7 10.218 4 350 17
3 5.5 5.109 4 550 17

In above tables we can saw the data which are taken in our experiment; and it should be perceived that in
the first three tables you can see data which are taken by our group and the next three tables are those
which the other group is analyze them.
In other hand it should be notice that the data for 0.7 gr salt has a problem and this quandary can be seen
in below graphs and curves.

a) Apparent viscosity vs. Shear rate

1.75 gr Salt
1000
Apparent Viscosity

100

10

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Shear Rate

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 5.25 gr Salt
1000

Apparent Viscosity
100

10

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Shear Rate

17.5 gr Salt
1000
Apparent Viscosity

100

10

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Shear Rate

If we plot these curves in one graph we can see these three will lay on each other and this shows us
that by changing the salt concentration we have not see any changes on apparent viscosity. In other
word we can say that changes of apparent viscosity due to shear rate is independent of salt
concentration of our mud.

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b) Shear stress vs. Shear rate

1.75 gr Salt
15
12

Shear Stress
9
6
y = 0.0085x + 4.3275
3
0
0 300 600 900 1200
Shear Rate

Bingham Yield point is 4.3275

5.25 gr Salt
15
12
Shear Stress

9
6
y = 0.0091x + 4.2989
3
0
0 300 600 900 1200
Shear Rate

Bingham Yield point is 4.2989

17.5 gr Salt
15
12
Shear Stress

9
y = 0.0095x + 4.7292
6
3
0
0 300 600 900 1200
Shear Rate

Bingham Yield point is 4.7292

6

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As we saw in above curves there is not any obvious changes to the types of curves and if we deliberate
on graphs we can see that the Bingham Yield point is not changing significantly but it is demonstrate a
lot of variations between this value and the value of yield point which we driven from the data.
By the way we can declare that the type of our mud does not change a lot while we change the
concentration of salt.
c) Gel strength vs. Time

Gel Strength 12

0
0 250 500 750
Time (Sec)

1.75 gr Salt 5.25 gr Salt 17.5 gr Salt

We can say that all three kinds of our muds are fragile gels.
As we see in above curve by increasing in salt concentration of our mud the rate of growing of gel
strength due time will decrease. So if the salt concentration of our mud increases our gel strength will
decrease.
Our mud is kind of flexible mud and we should notice that the thickness of our mud cake will increase
while we add more salt to it already for first one it is 1.1 mm the next is 1.3 mm and for the last one is
1.5 mm.
d) Effective viscosity vs. Shear rate

1.75 gr Salt
0.75
Effective Viscosity

0.5

0.25

0
0 400 800 1200
Shear Rate

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 5.25 gr Salt
0.75

Effective Viscosity
0.5

0.25

0
0 400 800 1200
Shear Rate

17.5 gr Salt
0.75
Effective Viscosity

0.5

0.25

0
0 400 800 1200
Shear Rate

We see here that the types of curves don’t change but we can conclude that by adding salt to our mud
at first the effective viscosity decrease a lot while it reaches near to zero; after that we see some
climaxes in this curve but after a while effective viscosity will reach to a continues changes due to
shear rate.
And we see that different salt concentrations do not have an effective possession on our mud.

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Please note that in below curves we can see a problem which is belong to mud with salt concentration
of 0.7 gr. This error is happen by group who are responsible for reading the data.

e) Mud weight vs. ppm of Salt

All Muds
9.3
Mud Weigt

8.7

8.4
0 12000 24000 36000 48000
ppm of Salt

This is obvious that if we add some materials to our mud they will affect on its weight.

f) Plastic viscosity vs. ppm of Salt

All Muds

4.5
Plastic Viscosity

1.5

0
0 12000 24000 36000 48000
ppm of Salt

We see that plastic viscosity is changing by modification of salt concentration but it has not clear what
will happen in general form.

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g) Apparent viscosity vs. ppm of Salt

All Muds

28

Apparent Viscosity
21

14

0
0 12000 24000 36000 48000
ppm of Salt

It shows that apparent viscosity will increase by adding salt to our mud.

h) Initial gel strength vs. ppm of Salt

All Muds
7.5
Initial Gel strength

6
4.5
3
1.5
0
0 12000 24000 36000 48000
ppm of Salt

We can notify that by increasing the salt concentration our initial gel strength will increase but this
alter is not a great deal.

10

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 i) 10-min gel strength vs. ppm of Salt

All Muds
12

10-min Gel Strength

9

0
0 12000 24000 36000 48000
ppm of Salt

10 min gel strength does not change a lot by increasing salt concentration.

j) Yield point vs. ppm of Salt

All Muds
20

15
Yield Point

10

0
0 12000 24000 36000 48000
ppm of Salt

Here we see that yield point will increase by adding salt to our mud.

k) 30 min fluid loss vs. ppm of Salt

All Muds
150
30-min Fluid Loss

120
90
60
30
0
0 12000 24000 36000 48000
ppm of Salt

As an important fact by increasing salt concentration our fluid loss will increase too.
11

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Conclusion:
Salt water presents inherent problems for treatment and maintained as a result of contaminates in the make
up water. Saturated salt water muds are used primarily to permit drilling a relatively in gauge hole through
salt formations. Bentonite is added to mud for viscosity, gel strength and fluid loss control. However an
entirely different behavior is observed if the bentonite is pre hydrated using deflocculants before the
salinity is increased. This can be known as a manner to reduce the effects of salt contamination

Questions:
1) Explain how Sodium Chloride lowers the viscosity of Bentonite mud?
The presence of Na+ cause a cation exchange reaction to occur in which it reduce the ability of clays to
hydrate almost as much as divalent ion. The Ca 2+ ions are removed by sequestering and the excessive
mud PH is reduced at the same time. So these changes will lead to changes in mud properties.

2) What kind of clays or chemicals can be used instead of bentonite to prepare a drilling fluid
able to withstand salt contamination?
Bentonite is added to mud for viscosity, gel strength and fluid loss control. However an entirely
different behavior is observed if the bentonite is pre hydrated using deflocculants before the salinity is
increased. We can use than saturated salt water muds to drilling through salt formations.

3) How could you understand if salt contamination is caused by saline water into the borehole or
it has come from the dissolution of salt in the formation in the mud?
If we plot effective viscosity vs. shear rate we can find out how salt contamination occurs. If this curve
has climaxes we understand that we have dissolution of salt in the formation in the mud; but if this
curve decreases uniformly without any peaks this show us presence of saline water.
In other word we can say that if our mud get salty we can understand we go through salt formation but
if there is not ant salinity in our mud it is obvious that there is a brine water underground.

4) How would you stop the flow of formation saline into the well bore?
Saturated salt water muds are used primarily to permit drilling a relatively in gauge hole through salt
formations. And if we use than weighting materials such as barite it will prevent the salt water to mix
with our mud.

12

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 Ahwaz Faculty of Petroleum Engineering

Drilling Fluid
laboratory

Chemical Thinners

Experiment No.7
Instructor: Eng Majdi Yazdi
Student Name: Amir Asgarzadeh (805227)

Autumn of 1383

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Purpose:

In last experiments we saw the effects of different additives on mud properties. In this experiment we
are going to see the effect of thinners on mud rheological properties. As we may know in some parts of
drilling we need to decrease mud viscosity and this will done by some chemical additives which are
known as thinners.

Results and Interpretation:

Caustic Soda

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 123 1021.8 7 61.5 109

300 116 510.9 7 116 109
200 110 340.6 7 165 109
100 98 170.3 7 294 109
6 46 10.218 7 2300 109
3 39 5.109 7 3900 109

T (SEC) V
10 3.4
20 4.4
30 5.2
60 6.6
90 7.9
120 9
150 9.8
195 11.2
210 11.6
240 12.1
270 13
300 13.5
360 14.7
420 15.7
450 16.3

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 Caustic Soda + Lignin

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 11 1021.8 3 5.5 5

300 8 510.9 3 8 5
200 6 340.6 3 9 5
100 4 170.3 3 12 5
6 1 10.218 3 50 5
3 0.5 5.109 3 50 5

T(SEC) V
10 4.2
20 5
30 5.6
60 7
90 7.9
120 8.7
150 9.4
180 10
210 10.8
240 11.3
270 11.9
300 12.4
360 13.2
420 14.1
450 14.5

We can see in above data that as we add lignin to mud which is blend with caustic soda our plastic
viscosity; apparent viscosity and yield point decreases and this can shows us the effect of viscosity on
these parameters. If we compare these data with original data for mud which we made in last
experiments we can terminate that lignin is a very strong thinner.

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a) Apparent Viscosity vs. Shear rate

Original Mud
1000

Apparent Viscosity
100

10

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Shear Rate

Caustic Soda
1000000
Apparent viscosity

10000

100

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000

Shear Rate

Caustic Soda+Lignin
1000
Apparent Viscosity

100

10

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Shear Rate

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If we compare curves on last page we can realize that by adding caustic soda our apparent viscosity
increase in large values; however this happens in same rate of shear stress. And here we can see the
consequence of lignin as a thinner which reduce mud viscosity to a value which is less than its
original value.

b) Gel Strength vs. Time

Caustic Soda
42
Gel Strength

41

40
y = 0.0017x + 39.983
39
0 200 400 600 800
Time (Sec)

Caustic Soda+Lignin
4
y = 0.0034x + 0.9661
Gel Strength

0
0 200 400 600 800
Time(Sec)

We can obviously see that by using caustic soda our gel strength increase a lot and this is expected
since our mud viscosity is too high. But amazing point that we can see is that our 10 min gel
strength does not change due to 10 sec gel strength. Our mud is a fragile gel.
When we add lignin we can see that the rate of increasing in gel strength growing too large but our
gel strengths decrease a lot. Here our mud is favorable gel. In general we can say that by increasing
viscosity our gel strength will increase too.
The thickness of our mud cake will increase when we use than caustic soda. Cake thickness is about
1mm while we have only lignin but as we add caustic soda to our mud it will rise to 1.4 mm.

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c) Volume of filtrated vs. √ t

Without any Addetive

20

Volume of Filtrated
y = 0.7074x + 0.442
15

Mud
10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25

t^(1/2)

Caustic Soda
20
Volume of Filtrated

y = 0.7119x + 1.2104
15
Mud

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
t^(1/2)

Caustic Soda+Lignin
15
Volume of Filtrated

12

9
Mud

6
y = 0.5685x + 2.4803
3

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
t^(1/2)

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Here we cannot notice unusual modification in type of curves but the most interesting fad that we can
observe is by decreasing mud viscosity our spurt loss increase and this will happen yet again if we
increase viscosity!!
We find that the rate of increasing in volume of filtrated mud is same even as we get our mud thicker
but it will decrease when we use than thinner. And while we do filtration with viscous mud our total
filtration is less than as the time we add lignin to it as a thinner. And we can see the effect of lignin on
filtration loss.

Conclusion:
We can conclude from this process that by adding thinners we can change the rehological properties of
mud and especially we can manage the filtration loss which can lead to serious problems during
drilling.
As we understand many of deflocculants are acidic and only slightly soluble in the acid form, they must
be used with caustic soda to increase PH. This is key point when we use than thinners in drilling
operations.

Questions:
1) How do the thinners affect the drilling mud performance?
Thinners are materials that will reduce the tendency of a mud to flocculate. The deflocculants are
though to render ineffective the positive charges located on the edge of the clay platelets; and thus
destroy the ability of the platelets to link together. So this will lead to change in mud properties.

2) List the name of some materials which are normally used to lower the viscosity of the
drilling mud?
A large number of deflocculants are available which they classified under below categories:
Phosphates, Tannins, Lignin and Lignosulfonates.

3) How do thinners affect filtration of a mud?

The deflocculants are though to render ineffective the positive charges located on the edge of the
clay platelets; and thus destroy the ability of the platelets to link together. Thus we can see that the
filtration loss will increase or it may decrease in some conditions.

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4) How is the effectiveness of lignite materials in calcium and salt environment?
Since Lignin is acidic and only slightly soluble in the acid form, they must be used with caustic
soda to increase PH.
The Ca 2+ ions are removed by sequestering and the excessive mud PH is reduced at the same time.
Lignin removes calcium by precipitation. A rigid gel can form if calcium enters a mud having a
high concentration of lignite.

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Purpose:
As we may know in drilling operations sometimes we need to increase the weight of mud to
control formation pressure gradient. This task is usually done by adding barite to our mud. Here
we want to find out effects of adding Barite on increasing mud weight and changes which may
happen in mud viscosity and other properties of mud. In other hands we try to find out how we
can decrease mud weight by adding fresh water.

Results and Interpretation:

Weighted Mud

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 30 1021.8 4.5 15 21

300 25.5 510.9 4.5 25.5 21
200 23 340.6 4.5 34.5 21
100 20 170.3 4.5 60 21
6 16.5 10.218 4.5 825 21
3 6 5.109 4.5 600 21

Lighted Mud

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 14 1021.8 6 7 2
300 8 510.9 6 8 2
200 6 340.6 6 9 2
100 3.5 170.3 6 10.5 2
6 1 10.218 6 50 2
3 0.5 5.109 6 50 2

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a) Apparent Viscosity vs. Shear rate

Weighted Mud
1000

Apparent Viscosity
100

10

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Shear rate

Lighted Mud
Apparent Viscosity

1000

100

10

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Shear rate

As we can see there are not evidence changes in type of curve while we decrease mud weight
but apparent viscosity is decreasing while we try to decrease mud weight however it happens
in same rate of shear stress for both kinds of mud.
It shows us in lighten mud our apparent viscosity is relatively low.

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 b) Shear Stress vs. Shear rate

Weighted Mud
35
Shear Stress 28
(lbf/100sqft)
21
14 y = 0.0137x + 17.111
7
0
0 300 600 900 1200
Shear rate(sec-1)

Lighted Mud
15
12
(lbf/100 sqft)
Shear Stress

9
6
y = 0.0131x + 1.0085
3
0
0 400 800 1200
Shear rate (sec-1)

As we consider Bingham Plastic models of fluids we can notice that the yield point of our clay
will decrease particularly by decrease in mud weight. This is may regard as usual since we know
that our shear stress will decrease while we drop off our mud weight though it take place in same
shear rate.
The yield of clay in weighted mud is 17.11 but it decreases to 1.008 even as we add water to our
mud and brought its viscosity to 10 ppg.
But we can see the slope of curve does not change and this shows us increasing in rate of shear
stress do not changes by mud weight.

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c) Gel Strength vs. Time

Weighted Mud
24

Gel Strength
(lbf/100 sqft)
18

12 y = 0.0085x + 15.915
6

0
0 150 300 450 600 750
Time (sec)

Ligthed Mud
3.2
(lbf/100 sq ft)
Gel Strength

2.4

1.6
y = 0.0034x + 0.9661
0.8

0
0 150 300 450 600 750
Time (sec)

In these two figures we can become aware of that our gel strength will decrease by decreasing
mud weight it means that our mud will not viscose enough to stop barite from settling due to
lowering its weight.
The type of our mud can be stated as fragile mud.

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d) Effective Viscosity vs. Shear rate

Weighted Mud

Effective Viscosity 4
(lbf.s/100sq ft)
3

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Shear rate (sec -1)

Lighted Mud
0.12
Effective Viscosity
(lbf/100 sqft)

0.09

0.06

0.03

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Shear rate (sec -1)

Here there are not any authentication alters in type of curve while we decrease mud weight
but effective viscosity is decreasing while we try to decrease mud weight though it happens in
same rate of shear stress for both kinds of mud.
But we can inform that when we decrease mud weight from 12 ppg to 10 ppg our effective
viscosity decrease in wide range and it shows us that little changes in mud weight have a
great authority on effective viscosity.

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Conclusion:
As we can conclude from this experiment by decreasing mud weight our mud properties will
change too and all properties which are discussed in this experiment like apparent viscosity,
yield of clay, gel strength and effective viscosity will decrease. But in other hand we can say
that by increasing shear rate in both type of mud these properties will not try to be in different
situations; likewise we can say that all curves have same shape.

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Purpose:
In This Experiment we want to make a water base drilling mud using Bentonite and water.
After that we are going to work with some devices to measure mud properties like Mud
Balance, V-G Meter. Once the required data gathered from these instruments we will figure
out the basic mud properties. The next objective of this experiment is to analyze the
sensitivity of mud properties due to the amount of Bentonite added to water.

Observation:
I have mentioned the interesting thing that I viewed in laboratory as follows:
The mud which is prepared has a dark milky color.
To have a uniform mud we should add Bentonite continuously to the water while the mixer
is working on.
Before using Mud Balance instrument we should calibrate it by water as we may know
water density is about 8.33 lb/gal and we should verify this point.
While using Mud Balance instrument we should notice that all of its body should be dry
otherwise we cannot read exact data.

Results and Interpretation:

28 gr Bentonite

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) θ 600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 30 1021.8 4.5 15 21

300 25.5 510.9 4.5 25.5 21
200 23 340.6 4.5 34.5 21
100 20 170.3 4.5 60 21
6 16.5 10.218 4.5 825 21
3 6 5.109 4.5 600 21

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 36 gr Bentonite

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) Θ600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 15 1021.8 5 7.5 5
300 10 510.9 5 10 5
200 8.5 340.6 5 12.75 5
100 5 170.3 5 15 5
6 3.5 10.218 5 175 5
3 3 5.109 5 300 5

40 gr Bentonite

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) Θ600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 22.5 1021.8 5 11.25 12.5

300 17.5 510.9 5 17.5 12.5

200 15.5 340.6 5 23.25 12.5

100 13 170.3 5 39 12.5

6 10 10.218 5 500 12.5

3 9.5 5.109 5 950 12.5

44 gr Bentonite

N ζ=θ φ(N*1.703) Θ600-θ300=μP 300*θN/N=μa 2θ300-θ600=YP

600 20 1021.8 5 10 10

300 15 510.9 5 15 10

200 12.5 340.6 5 18.75 10

100 10 170.3 5 30 10

6 7.5 10.218 5 375 10

3 7 5.109 5 700 10

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 a) Apparent Viscosity vs. Shear rate

1000

Apparent Viscosity
100

10

1
0 240 480 720 960 1200
Shear Rate
18 gr Bentonite 22 gr Bentonite

In This graph we can see that by increasing the amount of shear rate our apparent viscosity
will decrease. In other hand we can say that in same shear rate apparent viscosity will
increase by increase of mud weight or amount of Bentonite in mud.

b) Shear Stress vs. Shear rate

16

12
Shear Stress

0
0 500 1000 1500

Shear Rate

18 gr Bentonite 22 gr Bentonite

In this figure we see that by increasing shear rate our shear stress will increase too and we
can say that in same shear rate ,shear stress will increase by increase of mud weight or
amount of Bentonite in mud. As we may know mud is kind of Bingham fluid and we can
find yield point at intersection of our graph by Y axis.

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 c) Gel Strength vs. Time

15
12
9

G.S
6
3
0
0 150 300 450 600 750
Time

18 gr Bentonite 22 gr Bentonite

We can conclude by this figure that by passing time our gel strength will increase too
and we see that by increasing in mud weight our gel strength will raise up.
By dividing initial gel strength to 10 min gel strength we can find out type of our mud.
In this experiment our mud is good gel (Favorable gel).

d) Effective viscosity vs. Shear rate

1.5
Effective Viscosity

1.2
0.9
0.6
0.3
0
0 300 600 900 1200

Shear Rate

18 gr Bentonite 22 gr Bentonite

In this chart we can see that there is not an obvious change in effective viscosity while we
increase shear rate and. Also by increasing mud weight in same shear rate the effective
viscosity will not change. So we can conclude that effective viscosity is depend on kind of
fluid and it is not change by mud weight.

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 e) Mud weight (lb/gal) vs. Percent solids by weight

8.64

8.6
Mud Weight
8.56

8.52

8.48
0 2 4 6 8
Percent Solids

It is clear that by increasing the amount of Bentonite our mud weight will increase too.

f) Plastic viscosity vs. Percent solids by weight

5.2
Plastic viscosity

4.8

4.6

4.4
0 2 4 6 8
Percent solid

In this chart we see that by increasing the amount of solid particles our Plastic viscosity
will not change a lot. It means that plastic viscosity is not depend on how much solid
particles we use it is depend on kind of solids that we use.

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g) Apparent viscosity vs. Percent solids by weight

N=600

Apparent Viscosity
15
12
9
6
3
0
0 2 4 6 8
Percent solid

N=300
Apparent Viscosity

15

10

0
0 2 4 6 8
Percent Solid

N=200
Apparent Viscosity

150

100

50

0
0 2 4 6 8
Percent Solid

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 N=100

Apparent Viscosity
150

100

50

0
0 2 4 6 8
Percent Solid

N=6
15
Apparent Viscosity

12
9
6
3
0
0 2 4 6 8
Percent Solid

N=3
150
Apparent Viscosity

120
90
60
30
0
0 2 4 6 8
Percent Solid

We can conclude by above figures that apparent viscosity is not depend on amount of shear
rate that we use and in different weights it is not change obviously.

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 h) Initial gel strength vs. Percent solids by weight

Initial Gel Strength

6

0
0 2 4 6 8
Percent Solids

We can conclude by this figure that by increasing the amount of Bentonite our initial gel
strength will increase.

i) 10 min gel strength vs. Percent solids by weight

15

12
10 min Gel Strength

0
0 2 4 6 8
Percent Solids

We can conclude by this figure that by increasing the amount of Bentonite our 10 min gel
strength will increase.

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j) Yield point vs. Percent solids by weight

12
10

Yield point
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8
Percent solid

We can see in this graph that Yield point will not increase very much by raising the
amount of solids in mud if we forget the third data which is gathered.

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