Drilling fluid, also known as drilling mud, has multiple purposes in the drilling borehole including lubricating and cooling the bit, removing cuttings, minimizing formation damage and controlling formation pressure along with many others. The precise formulation of the mud or slurry in oil drilling fluids allows deeper drilling in formations once unreachable.
Drilling fluids come in water based, oil based and gaseous forms with many variations in each category. Drilling fluid technologies have advanced far beyond the days of running cows through mud holes for mixing, today’s oil drilling fluids lengthen the life of bits and moving parts in the well and are more friendly to the environment when used properly. Keep these starting points in mind when selecting drilling fluids:
1. Use drilling fluid consultants to formulate the proper drilling fluid.
2. Consider accessibility of the drill site to determine mud delivery limitations.
3. Inject synthetic drilling fluids for difficult drilling projects.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Get onsite drilling fluids formulated by professionals
Getting the right formula is serious business and saves you money by extending the life of equipment, speeding the drilling process and stimulating flow. From oil based drilling fluid to the inclusion of new drilling fluid chemicals, having an experienced team of consultants onsite keeps the job moving in the right direction.
I recommend: For experience and know how in the world oil market contact
Mudman Consulting Engineers. Specializing in drilling fluids assurance
Terra Expro Limited can provide expert drilling fluid engineering for your drilling mud additives.
Mix drilling fluid chemicals onsite for remote wells
Drilling takes place in some of the most remote locations on the planet. Getting the drilling mud delivered isn't always an option so mixing and formulation takes place at the well. Dry mix chemicals are available to provide precision drilling fluid additives to any drilling site and condition. Custom dry mix gives you the freedom to drill without the need to use lower quality oil drilling fluids.
I recommend: PDS Co, Inc. offers its super mud formulas in dry and provides an easy comparison tool to determine the best product for your needs. Providing Bentonite based dry products and cleaners as well as drilling detergents,
CETCO meets all of your dry chemical needs from beginning to end and offers a drilling chemical calculation tool for easy reference.
Take on the toughest drilling jobs with synthetic drilling fluids
Formations and depths once considered impossible to drill are now within reach thanks in part to the technical advancements in synthetic drilling additives. Created to meet demanding requirements, synthetic oil drilling additives break down slowly to aid in the removal of cuttings in the deepest wells and continue lubricating far beyond the lifecycle of ordinary water based drilling fluid.
I recommend: Contact
Shell Chemicals Limited for custom synthetic drilling fluids and supporting analysis. Environmentally friendly drilling fluids are becoming more popular and
Rapid Energy Services is leading the way by providing the synthetic chemicals to get the job done.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Drilling fluid recycling is gaining ground in the drilling industry as the financial and environmentally friendly benefits of mud reclamation meet. Drilling fluids waste is contained onsite and removed using government guidelines for hauling and disposal.
The official source of Drilling Fluids is the Drilling Fluids page at Business.com
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