Course Overview

Drilling Fluids Lab and Experimental Work is a complex operation requiring the combination of different technologies and disciplines. Today’s drilling personnel must have a working knowledge of drilling fluids in order to effectively drill a well. This course covers all aspects of drilling fluids technology, emphasizing both theory and practical application. Hands-on laboratory exercises are included. All pricing subject to change without notice.

Objective

1. After Drilling Fluids Lab and Experimental Work trainee’s are expected touse clays and polymers to achieve desired mud properties
2. Apply water chemistry to the treatment of drilling fluids
3. Perform complete API drilling fluids tests and evaluate the results
4. Identify drilling fluid contaminants and develop corrective treatments
5. Select water phase salinity and activity for bore hole stability
6. Select non-aqueous fluids to meet drilling and environmental requirements
7. Manage non-aqueous drilling fluid systems
8. Minimize formation damage to optimize well production

Course Content

1. Composition and properties of water-based drilling fluids
2. Analysis of API water-base mud and non-aqueous drilling fluid report
3. Identification and treatment of drilling fluid contaminants
4. Composition and properties of water-based and non-aqueous drilling fluid systems
5. Selection of water phase salinity for borehole stability
6. API water-based and non-aqueous drilling mud tests*
7. Adjustment of non-aqueous drilling fluid properties
8. Managing invert emulsion fluid systems: rig preparation and displacement
9. Non-aqueous drilling fluids designed for environmental compliance

Agenda

Day 1

• • 1. 1. 1. Brief introduction to drilling for those new to the industry: rig and equipment description, casing usage, shale play, and conventional sand drilling locations
          2. Functions of drilling fluids
          3. API specifications
          4. Mud report
          5. Drilling fluid testing protocols
          6. Equipment: density and rheology
          7. Lab: sequence of fluids for drilling a conventional well

       Day 2

    1. Drilling fluid products, systems, and chemistry
    2. Types of fluids
    3. Conventional products for aerated/foamed muds, water-based muds, non-aqueous
    4. muds, and completion fluids
    5. Brief introduction to clay chemistry
    6. API chemistry procedures
    7. Equipment: API fluid loss testing
    8. Lab: product usage in water-based muds

  Day 3

  1. Hydraulics and rheology
  2. Discussion of rheological models and fluid flow
  3. ECD, carrying capacity, hole clean efficiency, SAG
  4. Equipment: HTHP fluid loss testing and retorts
  5. Lab: observe HTHP fluid loss and retort tests

  Day 4

  1. Practical drilling fluid technology
  2. Solids control: theory, function, and equipment
  3. HSE and waste management

  Day 5

  1. Drilling fluid engineering
  2. Pressure control: normal and abnormal pressures
  3. Permeability: Darcy’s law
  4. Lost circulation
  5. Wellbore strengthening
  6. Wellbore stability
  7. Wellbore stability testing equipment
  8. Differential sticking
  9. Lubricity
  10. Corrosion