Drilling Fluids - Testing Procedures

Technical Information

Testing Drilling Fluids on the Jobsite Short Instruction

Sd-Chemie A. Pischetsrieder M. Trimpin

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Drilling Fluids - Testing Procedures 1. FANN - Viscosimeter

Determination of the rheological parameters Apparent Viscosity, Plastic Viscosity and Yield Point by using the FANN-Viscosimeter. 1 Description Viscosity and Gel-Strength are measurement categories describing the flow properties of drilling fluids and their behaviour while under influence of shear stress. Using a FANN-Viscosimeter, the rheological parameters are determined according to the so-called BINGHAM-model. These Parameters are: Apparent Viscosity [AV] Plastic Viscosity [PV] Yield Point [YP] The FANN-Viscosimeter is a device, showing directly the viscosity under influence of varying shear-stresses respectively shear-velocities. The measuring device consists out of two concentrically cylinders, where of the outside cylinder (rotor) rotates, while the inner cylinder (bob) is fixed to a spring. While measuring, the annulus between rotor and bob is filled with drilling mud. Due to its viscosity, the drilling fluid carries forward a certain torque from the rotating rotor to the spring-mounted bob, by what the bob is moved. This movement can be read off from the circular shaped scale of the Viscosimeter. The instruments constant has been specified in such a way, that the dial-readings are directly given in cP (Centipoise), whereby the Plastic Viscosity (PV) and the Yield Point (YP) can be calculated without using any additional translation by a correction factor.

2 Testing Procedure Fill up the measuring cup with a fresh sample of drilling fluid and immerse the rotor exactly to the scribed line. Switch on the Viscosimeter at a speed of 600 rpm, wait until the dial has reached a steady reading and record the 600 rpm dial reading. Repeat this procedure at 300 rpm. To translate these values into different units, use the following formulas: YP (lbs/100 sqft) = YP (Pa) * 2.088 1 cP = 1 mPa.s
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3 Results and Calculations AV (cP) = [600 rpm dial reading] / 2 PV (cP) = [600 rpm reading] - [300 rpm reading] YP (lbs/100 sqft) = [300 rpm reading] (cP) - PV (cP)
Sd-Chemie A. Pischetsrieder M. Trimpin

Drilling Fluids - Testing Procedures 2. API Fluid Loss

Determination of the stability of drilling fluids. 1 Description Measurement of the filtration performance is elementary to the control of drilling fluids properties. The fluid loss is affected by type and amount of the drilling fluids contamination by contraries and their chemical and physical interaction with the fluid itself. Testing of the fluid loss properties using a low-pressure filter press is standardized by API. The filter press consists of a cylindrical cell with an inner diameter of 76.2 mm and a height of at least 64.0 mm. The cell is constructed in such a way that the drilling fluid inside the cell can be set under pressure. By means of a filter paper which is lying on a sieve, installed in the bottom part of the cell, the drilling fluid is filtrated. The filtrate delivered, also referred to as fluid loss, is collected in a graduated cylinder below the filter press.

2 Testing Procedure After filling the cell with a fresh sample of drilling fluid, build together the filter press. Place a dry and clean graduated cylinder below the cell to collect the filtrate. Open the air inlet valve and adjust the pressure to 100 5 psi (6.9 0.35 bar) within 30 seconds. The testing procedure begins. Detailed assembly and operation instructions are to be found on page 4/8.

3 Results and Calculations The filtrate volume measured is noted after 730 and again after 30 minutes, using the units cm or ml. Usually, the 30-value is twice as much as the 730-value. According to standards (API), the fluid loss is calculated by use of the formula following: exact API-filtrate = ( [API-filtrate after 30] [API filtrate after 730] ) * 2 Fast test (not that exact): round-about-filtrate = [API-filtrate after 730] * 2

Sd-Chemie A. Pischetsrieder M. Trimpin

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Drilling Fluids - Testing Procedures 2.1 Assembly and Operation of the API - Filter Press
(7) Upper Part (10) Manometer

(6) Sealing (9) Adjusting Screw (5) Cylinder Assembly of parts (1) to (5) as shown. Pour in a sample of fresh drilling mud as far as 10 mm below top edge of cylinder. Attach parts (6) and (7) to the cylinder. Clamp taut parts (1) to (7) in the frame of the press. Place graduated cylinder below cell. Pull out brown button (until the stop position). Close (9) by unscrewing completely. Unscrew (8), insert cartridge (thin end in top position), screw up (8). One Cartridge is sufficient for 3 to 4 measurements. Open (9) within 30 seconds until (10) shows a pressure of 100 psi (7 bar). Start time measurement. After 7.5 minutes close (9) again and press brown button (pressure exhausts). Note also instructions on page 3/5. Read off the filtrate at the graduated cylinder. Dismantle filter press and clean well with water. Dont dismount the CO2-cartridge, otherwise the pressure will exhaust. New cartridges are available in supermarkets. Use new filter paper for every measurement!
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(4) Sealing (8) Retainer for CO2 Cartridge

(3) Filter Paper

(2) Supporting Sieve

(1) Lower Part

Sd-Chemie A. Pischetsrieder M. Trimpin

Drilling Fluids - Testing Procedures 3. MARSH - Funnel

Determination of the Marsh-Funnel - viscosity. 1 Testing Procedure Prepare Marsh-Funnel, Marsh-Cup and stopwatch. NOTE: Marsh-Funnel and -Cup have to be clean and dry before starting!! Check the Marsh-Funnels nozzle every day if clean and without precipitations!! Keep shut the Marsh-Funnels nozzle with your finger . Pour in a fresh sample of drilling fluid through the sieve on the funnels top edge until the fluid-level reaches the sieve (1.5 l of fluid needed). Place Marsh-Cup below the still closed funnels outlet (nozzle). Start stopwatch simultaneously while opening of the funnels outlet. Determine the time needed until the fluid-level inside the Marsh-Cup reaches the 1000 ml-mark. (according to DIN: 1.000 ml according to API: 946 ml)

Sd-Chemie A. Pischetsrieder M. Trimpin

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Drilling Fluids - Testing Procedures 4. Drilling-Fluid-Balance

Determination of the drilling fluids specific weight and here from calculation of the solid content. 1 Description Measuring the drilling fluids specific weight helps you to control: The fresh drilling fluids correct composition. The solid content of the used drilling fluid (return). 2 Testing Procedure Fill up the reservoir of the mud-balance with a fresh sample of drilling fluid until the top edge of the reservoir. Afterwards, carefully attach the reservoirs cap so that the surplus drilling fluid flows over resp. leaves through the hole in the cap. Carefully clean the balance from the over flown drilling fluid with water (Close the hole in the cap by putting on your finger !!). Afterwards dry the drilling fluid balance. Completely balance the weighing machine in its frame (let the water-level settle down). Read off the drilling fluids specific weight from the balance graduations. [ g/cm ] or [ t/m ] [ lbs/gal ] or [ lbs/cu.ft. ]

3 Results and Calculations Volume of solids [ m ] = Mass of solids [ t ] / 2.65 Solid content [ % ] = Volume of solids [ m ] * 100 (based on 1 m of Drilling Fluid)
Mud * ( V m
Solids Water

Please use the units following: Mud V Water m Bentonite m Water m Solids = = = = = Specific Weight of Drilling Fluid Volume of Water (usually 1000 l) Mass of Bentonite used per 1 m of Water Mass of Water (usually 1000 kg) Mass of Solids (except bentonite) contained in 1 m of used drilling fluid [ t/m ] [ m ] [t] [t] [t]

Bentonite

= 1-

2.65 Mud 2.65

)-m

Water

-m

Bentonite

Sd-Chemie A. Pischetsrieder M. Trimpin

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Drilling Fluids - Testing Procedures 5. Static Yield Point F

Determination of the Static Yield Point using the Kugelharfe device. 1 Testing Procedure Fill up a translucent cup (as shown in the picture) or any other, adequate cup with a fresh sample of drilling resp. supporting fluid (approx. 1000 ml). To eliminate any thixotropic solidification, stir the drilling fluid sample energetically and completely by using a wire whisk. Afterwards place the drilling fluid cup under the Kugelharfe. Start a stopwatch. After 1 minute (prescribed period of thixotropic solidification), carefully lower down the balls attached on the disc into the drilling fluid. Read off the biggest No. of the ball which is submerged (stretched thread). The quoted number of the ball together with the drilling fluids specific weight represent the data which is necessary for determination of the static yield point by means of the table given below. Clean the balls in fresh water, dry carefully with a paper towel and place them on the rack for complete drying.
1 2 Basic Material 3 Ball - mm 2.9 4.2 5.8 7.6 10.6 15.1 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 4 Weight g 0.033 0.105 0.26 0.6 1.59 4.7 0.26 0.51 0.87 1.39 5 1.02 6.9 10.0 13.7 18.0 25.1 35.8 39.9 49.9 59.9 69.8 6 1.07 6.7 9.6 13.3 17.4 24.3 34.7 39.6 49.5 59.4 69.3 Ball No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7 8 9 Specific Weight of Drilling Fluid [ g/cm ] 1.12 1.17 1.22 Static Yield Point [ N/m ] 6.4 9.3 12.9 16.9 23.5 33.5 39.3 49.1 59.0 68.8 6.2 9.0 12.4 16.3 22.7 32.4 39.0 48.8 58.5 68.3 6.0 8.7 12.0 15.7 21.9 31.3 38.7 48.4 58.1 67.7 10 1.27 5.8 8.4 11.6 15.2 21.1 30.1 38.4 48.0 57.6 67.2 11 1.32 5.6 8.1 11.1 14.6 20.4 29.0 38.1 47.6 57.2 66.7

Remark: The static yield point F is calculated by the formulas following: Glass (Ball No. 1 to 6): F = (2.60 Mud) * Ball * 1.5 Steel (Ball No. 7 to 10): F = (7.67 Mud) * Ball * 1.5 Mud Ball F [ t/m ] [ mm ] [ N/m ]

Glass

Steel

Sd-Chemie A. Pischetsrieder M. Trimpin

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Drilling Fluids - Testing Procedures 6. Sand Content - Set

Determination of the solid (sand > 74 m) content of a drilling fluid and by this determination of the load of the used drilling fluid. 1 Testing Procedure Fill in a fresh sample of used drilling fluid (return) into the tapered glass until the mark Mud To Here. Afterwards fill up the tapered glass with fresh water until the mark Water To Here. Close the tapered glass with your finger and shake until theres no sand left (gluing) in the cone end. Pour the content of the tapered glass through the pre-watered sieve (200 mesh = 74 m) inside the plastic tube. Wait until the water has passed the sieve completely. Eventually little shaking/ vibrating of the sieve is needed to ease the water to run through the sieve. Continue with new water until the tapered glass is empty. Attach the plastic funnel to the sieve-tube. Insert the funnels nozzle in the tapered glass. Wash the sand from top to bottom from the sieve to inside the tapered glass by means of a water-jet (e.g. from the washing bottle which is provided with the sand-content-set). Continue until theres no more sand left on the sieve. Place the tapered glass in an upright position at a safe place. After approx. 10 minutes, the sand-content [ volume-%] can be read off from the scale on the tapered glass.

Sd-Chemie A. Pischetsrieder M. Trimpin

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