Drilling Fluid

Contamination Part 2
 Solids Contamination
clay or shale
Page 15-10
Identification:

Solids increase
MBT increase
Alkalinity decrease
Density increase

DFC 9 - 19
 Solids Contamination
clay or shale Mud Properties
Check time 6:00 10:00
Sourc
e FL FL
Depth 8788 8999
Temperature
0F 120 125
Density ppg 14.1 14.4
Funnel Viscosity
sec/qt 47 58
Plastic Viscosity cP 33 56
Yield Point
lb/200ft2 6 17
Gels 10 sec/10 min
lb/100ft2 3/5 4/17
Filtrate API/HPHT ml 8 13
Cake 32nd in 2 4
Solids % vol 16 20
Water % vol 84 80
Oil % vol 0 0
Sand % vol Tr Tr
MBT lb/bbl
equiv 17.5 25
pH meter 10 9.5
Mud Alkalinity (Pm) cc
H2SO4/cc mud 1.6 1.1
Filtrate Alkalinity (Pf/Mf) cc
H2SO4/cc 1.0/2.4 .8/1.9
Chlorides
mg/l 4000 4000
Calcium Hardness 3

mg/l 200 200

 Solids Contamination
clay or shale
Recommended Treatment:
Raise pH
Add water
Disperse with thinners
Maximize use of solids control
equipment
Add dissolved lignite/polymer for
filtration control (HP-HT)
Cost impact:
For every 1% increase in solids above the
normal solids content for fluids of a specific
weight, it can cost 10% more to maintain the
drilling fluid properties within the desired
limits.

4
 Bicarbonate
Contamination
Page 15-9
Identification:
No calcium
Low Pf
High Mf
Filtrate increase
Gel strength increase

Potential causes:
This problem is usually caused by over-
treatment with NaHCO3 small influx of carbon
dioxide gas.
Can also be caused by pre-treating system
prior to drilling cement. Treatment costs can
run 20% of the average daily mud cost. This
is a one time cost, but may reoccur if not
carefully monitored.
5

DFC 9 - 21
 Bicarbonate Contamination
Mud Properties
Check time 6:00 10:00
Source FL FL
Depth 8788 8999
Temperature
0F 120 125
Density ppg 15.0 15.0
Funnel Viscosity sec/qt 47 74
Plastic Viscosity cP 33 55
Yield Point
lb/200ft2 11 34
Gels 10 sec/10 min lb/100ft2 3/10 21/49
Filtrate API/HPHT ml 8 16.8
Cake 32nd in 2 4
Solids % vol 25 25
Water % vol 75 75
Oil % vol 0 0
Sand % vol Tr Tr
MBT lb/bbl
equiv 20 20
pH meter 10.5 8.8
Mud Alkalinity (Pm) cc
H2SO4/cc mud 1.6 .7
Filtrate Alkalinity (Pf/Mf) cc
H2SO4/cc 1.2/3.1 1.1/17.4
Chlorides
mg/l 4000 4000
Calcium Hardness
mg/l 200 0

6
 Bicarbonate
Contamination
Recommended Treatment:
Increase pH with lime [Ca(OH)2] pH
9.5 to 10.0 It may be necessary to
supplement lime with caustic soda
(NaOH)
Maintain 150 to 200 mg/L total
hardness in the filtrate to buffer the
problem so that it does not reoccur.
This is usually easy to obtain with
lime treatments
Add thinners for chemical dispersing
of clays and rheology control
Add water for dehydration

7
DFC 9 - 21
 Carbonate
Contamination
Page 15-9
Identification:
High gel strengths
High filtrate
High Pf
High Mf
No calcium (most of the time)
This problem can be induced into the system
by adding soda ash (Na2CO3) to treat
seawater for removal of hardness. When too
much is added, the problem is manifested.

Cost Impact:
Avoid over treatment by controlling the total
hardness of the filtrate between 150 to 200
mg/L.
Do not pre-treat system with large amounts of
soda ash.

DFC 9 - 24
Carbonate Contamination
Mud Properties
Check time 6:00 10:00
Source FL FL
Depth 8788 8999
Temperature
0F 120 125
Density ppg 15.0 15.0
Funnel Viscosity sec/qt 47 74
Plastic Viscosity cP 33 55
Yield Point
lb/200ft2 11 32
Gels 10 sec/10 min lb/100ft2 4/11 21/43
Filtrate API/HPHT ml 8 16.8
Cake 32nd in 2 4
Solids % vol 25 25
Water % vol 75 75
Oil % vol 0 0
Sand % vol Tr Tr
MBT lb/bbl
equiv 20 20
pH meter 9.5 10.8
Mud Alkalinity (Pm) cc H2SO4/cc
mud .6 1.7
Filtrate Alkalinity (Pf/Mf) cc
H2SO4/cc 1.2/3.1 8/17.4
Chlorides
mg/l 4000 4000
Calcium Hardness
mg/l 200 0

9
 Carbonate
Contamination
Recommended Treatment:

Add Gyp (CaSO4) to remove

carbonate by precipitating it as
CaCO3, and lower pH to 9.5 - 10.5
(OH- ions only)
Monitor total lb/bbl (kg/m3) of gyp
added to system. To much Na2SO4 in
the system will cause viscosity
problems
Add thinners as needed for chemical
dispersion
Add water for dehydration
Lime and gyp can be added together
to achieve the proper pH and to
precipitate CaCO3 from the system.

10

DFC 9 - 24
 Salt Contamination
Page 15-10
Identification:
API and HTHP filtrate increase
Drop in pH
Drop in alkalinity (Pf/Mf)
Increase in Cl ion
In the case of Devil's Brine a marked
increase in Mg2+ will be seen.
Cost impact:
Special attention must be given to the
type of salt formation encountered.
Saturation of the fluid may be necessary
to prevent large solution cavities.
If a salt water flow is encountered, as
much as 15% or more of the daily
average mud cost may be needed to
solve the problem.
11

DFC 9 - 27
 Salt Contamination
Mud Properties
Check time 6:00 10:00
Source FL FL
Depth 8788 8999
Temperature
0F 120 125
Density ppg 14.6 14.7
Funnel Viscosity sec/qt 44 67
Plastic Viscosity cP 33 56
Yield Point
lb/200ft2 7 22
Gels 10 sec/10 min lb/100ft2 4/9 19/18
Filtrate API/HPHT ml 8 16.8
Cake 32nd in 2 6
Solids % vol 20 23
Water % vol 80 77
Oil % vol 0 0
Sand % vol Tr Tr
MBT lb/bbl
equiv 20 20
pH meter 10 9
Mud Alkalinity (Pm) cc H2SO4/cc
mud 1.8 1.1
Filtrate Alkalinity (Pf/Mf) cc
H2SO4/cc 1.0/2.4 .7/1.8
Chlorides mg/l 4000 28600
Calcium Hardness mg/l 200 420

12
 Salt Contamination

Recommended Treatment:
Treat with thinners to reduce
viscosity, gel strength, and yield
point.
Adjust pH with caustic soda.
Add polymers for filtrate loss.
If the salt concentration is
maintained, or the system is broken
over to a saturated salt system pre-
hydrated bentonite or polymers must
be used to maintain viscosity.
If the clay solids content of the fluid
is too high, water dilution may also
be necessary.
There is no ECONOMICAL treatment for
salt contamination either dilution or
swapping to salt sat system must be
considered.
13

DFC 9 - 27
 Cement Contamination
Identification: Page 15-9
API and HT-HP filtrate increase
pH increase
Pm/Pf increase
High calcium

Cost impact:
Pretreatment of the fluid for cements adverse effects
may cause problems because very little hard cement
will react with the bicarbonate of soda. This
preventative over-treatment can lead to gelling
problems.

Treatment of cement contamination can cost in

excess of 100% of the average daily fluid cost.
If contamination is severe, a lime system should be
considered.

14
 Cement Contamination Mud Properties
Check time 6:00 10:00
Source FL FL
Depth 8788 8999
Temperature
0F 120 125
Density ppg 15.0 15.0
Funnel Viscosity
sec/qt 41 69
Plastic Viscosity cP 32 39
Yield Point
lb/200ft2 11 28
Gels 10 sec/10 min
lb/100ft2 4/9 12/25
Filtrate API/HPHT ml 8 16.8
Cake 32ne in 2 4
Solids % vol 17 17
Water % vol 83 83
Oil % vol 0 0
Sand % vol 0.5 0.5
MBT lb/bbl
equiv 20 20
pH meter 9.5 11.8
Mud Alkalinity (Pm) cc
H2SO4/cc mud 1.6 6.7
Filtrate Alkalinity (Pf/Mf) cc
H2SO4/cc 1.2/3.1 5.1/5.8
Chlorides
mg/l 4000 4000
Calcium Hardness 15

mg/l 80 480
 Cement Contamination
Recommended Treatment:
Add bicarbonate of soda (NaHCO3) to
precipitate calcium. Control total
hardness of the filtrate between 150
- 200 mg/L to avoid over treatment

Bicarbonate of soda will reduce the

pH

Most fluids require a 9.5-10.5 pH.

Add thinners for rheology control

Add water for dehydration and barite
to maintain weight

16
 Anhydrite
Contamination
Identification: Page 15-9

API and HT-HP filtrate increase

pH decrease
Pf/Mf decrease
Increase in calcium

Cost impact:
A common method of drilling anhydrite
formations is to adjust the pH to 9.5 and add
thinners. It is also necessary to maintain a
low MBT. Using this method, a low gyp fluid
can be built and it's filtrate loss controlled
with polymers.

It is usually uneconomical to treat calcium out

of a heavily contaminated system.

17
 Anhydrite Contamination
Mud Properties
Check time 6:00 10:00
Source FL FL
Depth 8788 8999
Temperature
0F 120 125
Density ppg 15.0 15.0
Funnel Viscosity
sec/qt 41 61
Plastic Viscosity cP 32 39
Yield Point
lb/200ft2 11 37
Gels 10 sec/10 min
lb/100ft2 4/9 12/25
Filtrate API/HPHT ml 8 16.8
Cake 32ne in 2 4
Solids % vol 25 25
Water % vol 75 75
Oil % vol 0 0
Sand % vol Tr Tr
MBT lb/bbl
equiv 20 20
pH meter 10.8 8.5
Mud Alkalinity (Pm) cc
H2SO4/cc mud 1.6 0.7
Filtrate Alkalinity (Pf/Mf) cc
H2SO4/cc 1.2/3.1 .2/1.1
Chlorides
mg/l 4000 4000
Calcium Hardness
mg/l 80 800
18
 Anhydrite
Contamination
Recommended Treatment:

May be controlled by adding soda

ash (Na2CO3) if the pH is below
9.5. (Should the pH be above 9.5,
use bicarbonate of soda.)
After adding soda ash, a chemical
dispersant is usually added to
help reduce viscosity and gel
strength.
Additional problems can be
encountered if large amounts of
soda ash are added. The soluble
sodium sulfate tends to build-up
and cause "ash gels".

19

DFC 9 - 34
 Hi Temp Contamination
Identification:
Flowline temperature increase
API and HT-HP filtration increase
pH decreases
Alkalinity decreases
Cost impact:
Massive treatments with lignite ties-up calcium at
the proper pH, and gelling may occur if there is
not enough free calcium in the fluid water. Do not
over treat with polymer deflocculants. Much lower
concentrations are required than for
lignite/lignosulfonate treatment.

This problem can be very costly in that the

average daily cost can increases 15-20%+ when
high temperatures are encountered. This excludes
the barite requirements of the well.
20

DFC 9 - 36
 High Temp Contamination Mud Properties
Check time 6:00 10:00
Source FL FL
Depth 8788 8999
Temperature
0F 120 160
Density ppg 15.0 15.0
Funnel Viscosity
sec/qt 47 65
Plastic Viscosity cP 27 39
Yield Point
lb/200ft2 11 32
Gels 10 sec/10 min lb/100ft2 4/7 14 / 35
Filtrate API/HPHT ml 4.6 10.9
Cake 32ne in 2 4
Solids % vol 25 25
Water % vol 75 75
Oil % vol 0 0
Sand % vol Tr Tr
MBT lb/bbl
equiv 20 20
pH meter 10.5 9
Mud Alkalinity (Pm) cc
H2SO4/cc mud 1.6 1
Filtrate Alkalinity (Pf/Mf) cc
H2SO4/cc 1.2/1.6 .7/1.4
Chlorides
mg/l 4000 4000
Calcium Hardness
mg/l 200 200
21
 Hi Temp Contamination

Recommended Treatment:

Add lignite or high temperature

polymer deflocculant or keep the
hardness of the water phase low by
treatment with soda ash.
Add surfactants.
Add water/caustic for dehydration.
Reduce bentonite content.

22
 H2S Contamination
Identification:
H2S gas in filtrate or mud
API and HTHP filtrate increase
pH decrease
Alkalinity decreases
Small decrease in calcium

Cost impact:
H2S can be controlled by maintaining a small
amount scavenger in the fluid. H2S is the
most serious gas encountered in drilling
operations. If present, it must be dealt with
immediately and in the proper fashion.

Remember that H2S KILLS !

23
 H2S Contamination
Mud Properties
Check time 6:00 10:00
Source FL FL
Depth 8788 8999
Temperature
0F 120 125
Density ppg 15.0 15.0
Funnel Viscosity
sec/qt 47 64
Plastic Viscosity cP 33 47
Yield Point
lb/200ft2 8 17
Gels 10 sec/10 min lb/100ft2 4/11 17/22
Filtrate API/HPHT ml 6 16.8
Cake 32ne in 2 4
Solids % vol 25 25
Water % vol 75 75
Oil % vol 0 0
Sand % vol Tr Tr
MBT lb/bbl
equiv 20 20
pH meter 10.5 8.5
Mud Alkalinity (Pm) cc
H2SO4/cc mud 1.6 0.5
Filtrate Alkalinity (Pf/Mf) cc
H2SO4/cc 1.2/3.1 0.1/0.3
Chlorides
mg/l 4000 4000
Calcium Hardness
mg/l 200 0

24
 H2S Contamination

Recommended Treatment

Add Zinc Carbonate or Ironite

Sponge to treat out the H2S.
Fe3O4 + H2S 3 FeS + 4 H2O + S
Add starch or polymers to reduce
fluid loss.
Add water for dehydration.
Add lime to adjust pH to >10+
and maintain Pf at > 6 cm3.
pH = 7.0: H2S + NaOH NaHS +
H2O
pH = 9.5: NaHS + NaOH Na2S
+ H2 O

25

DFC 9 - 40
End

26