Content Image
By Tekad Inovasi Drilling Mud • General Introduction

Introduction to Drilling Mud Technologies

In geotechnical engineering, drilling fluid is used to aid the drilling of boreholes into the earth. Often used while drilling oil and natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs, drilling fluids are also used for much simpler boreholes, such as water wells. Liquid drilling fluid is often called drilling mud. The three main categories of drilling fluids are water-based muds (which can be dispersed and non-dispersed), non-aqueous muds, usually called oil-based mud, and gaseous drilling fluid, in which a wide range of gases can be used. The main functions of drilling fluids include providing hydrostatic pressure to prevent formation fluids from entering into the well bore, keeping the drill bit cool and clean during drilling, carrying out drill cuttings, and suspending the drill cuttings while drilling is paused and when the drilling assembly is brought in and out of the hole. The drilling fluid used for a particular job is selected to avoid formation damage and to limit corrosion.

Contact Us

Content Image
By Tekad Inovasi Barite Usage in Drilling Mud Technologies

Usage of Barite

Some 77% worldwide is used as a weighting agent fordrilling fluids in oil and gas exploration to suppress high formation pressures and prevent blowouts. As a well is drilled, the bit passes through various formations, each with different characteristics. The deeper the hole, the more barite is needed as a percentage of the total mud mix. An additional benefit of barite is that it is non-magnetic and thus does not interfere with magnetic measurements taken in the borehole, either during logging-while-drilling or in separate drill hole logging. Barite used for drilling petroleum wells can be black, blue, brown or gray depending on the ore body. The barite is finely ground so that at least 97% of the material, by weight, can pass through a 200-mesh (75-μm) screen, and no more than 30%, by weight, can be less than 6 μm diameter. The ground barite also must be dense enough so that its specific gravity is 4.2 or greater, soft enough to not damage the bearings of a tricone drill bit, chemically inert, and containing no more than 250 milligrams per kilogram of soluble alkaline salts.

View API Specification 13A for Barite

Content Image
By Tekad Inovasi Bentonite Usage in Drilling Mud Technologies

Bentonite Usage

Bentonite is used in drilling fluids to lubricate and cool the cutting tools, to remove cuttings, and to help prevent blowouts.Much of bentonite's usefulness in the drilling and geotechnical engineeringindustry comes from its unique rheological properties. Relatively small quantities of bentonite suspended in water form a viscous, shear thinning material. Most often, bentonite suspensions are also thixotropic, although rare cases of rheopectic behavior have also been reported. At high enough concentrations (~60 grams of bentonite per litre of suspension), bentonite suspensions begin to take on the characteristics of a gel (a fluid with a minimum yield strength required to make it move). For these reasons it is a common component of drilling mud used to curtail drilling fluid invasion by its propensity for aiding in the formation of mud cake.

View API Specification 13A for Bentonite

Content Image
By Tekad Inovasi CMC Usage in Drilling Mud Technologies

CMC Usage

CMC is also used in pharmaceuticals as a thickening agent, and in the oil-drilling industry as an ingredient of drilling mud , where it acts as a viscosity modifier and water retention agent. Polyanionic cellulose (PAC) derived from cellulose is also used in oilfield practice. CMC is both chemically and physically distinguished from polyanionic cellulose. CMC is definitely a carboxylic acid, where PAC is an ether. Although CMC and PAC are manufactured from the same raw materials, by adjusting the type of cellulose and stoichiometry of the reactants, different final products may be produced. The primary difference between the CMC and PAC production processes is in the radicalization step. CMC Oil Drilling Grade used in fracturing fluid ,drilling fluid and well cementing fluid as fluid loss controller and tackifier. CMC c an protect the shaft wall and prevent mud loss thus enhance recovery efficiency. CMC has the following characteristics: • Excellent water retention even at low concentration. • Excellent thickening effect. • Good resistance to salt and temperature change. • Imparts excellent rheological property.

View API Specification 13A for CMC

Content Image
By Tekad Inovasi Guar Gum Usage in Drilling Mud Technologies

Guar Gum Usage

Guar Gum is a unique substance derived from GUAR plant with numerous usages. The industrial grade Guar gum powder works as an excellent additive for drilling fluids and mud on account of the unique characteristics it possesses. Application. It is used to increase the density of any mud system while maintaining rheological properties Used in the fracturing of oil wells, stimulation of oil wells, for mud drilling. Used as a stabilizing, thickening and suspending agent for drilling fluids. Used as a viscosity enhancer for maintaining the viscosity levels of the drilling fluids Advantages. Helps in reducing friction in the holes, minimizing the requirement of power Helps in minimizing water loss. Enables the drilling fluids to move waste from the deepest of holes.

Content Image
By Tekad Inovasi Xanthan Gum Usage in Drilling Mud Technologies

Xanthan Gum Usage

In the oil industry, xanthan gum is used in large quantities, usually to thicken drilling mud. These fluids serve to carry the solids cut by the drilling bit back to the surface. Xanthan gum provides great "low end"rheology. When the circulation stops, the solids still remain suspended in the drilling fluid. The widespread use of horizontal drilling and the demand for good control of drilled solids has led to its expanded use. It has also been added to concrete poured underwater, to increase its viscosity and prevent washout.