Appendix A.

Tests for bentonite and slurry fluid properties

A.1. Marsh funnel viscosity test

A.1.1. Equipment

Apparatus and testing method shall be generally to American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP 13B-1 as follows. The equipment consists of the following: (a) Marsh funnel A Marsh funnel is calibrated to out-flow one US quart (946 ml) of fresh water at a temperature of 70 5F (21 3C) in 1 26 0.5 seconds. A graduated cup is used as a receiver. Specification Funnel cone Length 12.0 in (305 mm) Diameter (top) 6.0 in (152 mm) Capacity to bottom of screen 1500 ml Orifice Length 2.0 in (50.8 mm) Inside diameter 3/16 in (4.7 mm) Screen 12 mesh US Has 1/16 in (1.6 mm) openings and is fixed at a level 3/4 in (19.0 mm) below top of funnel. (b) Graduated cup: one US quart (946 ml) (c) Stopwatch (d ) Thermometer: 32220F (0105C)
1

A.1.2. Procedure

The procedure is as follows. Cover the funnel orifice with a finger and pour bentonite suspension through the screen into the clean, upright funnel. Fill until fluid reaches the bottom of the screen. (b) Remove finger and start stopwatch. Measure the time for mud to fill to one-quart mark of the cup. (c) Measure temperature of fluid in degrees C. (d ) Report the time to nearest second as Marsh funnel viscosity. Report the temperature of fluid to nearest degree C. (a)

A.2. Direct reading viscometer

A.2.1. Equipment

Apparatus and testing method shall be generally to American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice RP 13B-l as follows: The equipment consists of the following: (a) A direct-indicating viscometer powered by an electric motor or hand crank e.g. Fann Viscometer. Bentonite suspension is contained in the annular space between two concentric cylinders. The outer cylinder or rotor sleeve is driven at a

One litre may be used instead of 946 ml, in which case the appropriate calibration time should be used and the result should clearly reference the one litre volume.
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constant rotational velocity (rpm). The rotation of the rotor sleeve in the fluid produces a torque on the inner cylinder or bob. A torsion spring restrains the movement of the bob, and a dial attached to the bob indicates displacement of the bob. Instrument constants have been adjusted so that apparent viscosity, plastic viscosity and yield point are obtained by using readings from rotor sleeve speeds of 300 rpm and 600 rpm. Specifications: Direct-indicating viscometer Rotor sleeve Inside diameter 1.450 in (36.83 mm) Total length 3.425 in (87.00 mm) Scribed line 2.3 in (58.40 mm) above the bottom of sleeve Two rows of 1/8 in (3.18 mm) holes spaced 120 deg (2.09 radians) apart around rotor just below scribed line. Bob Diameter Cylinder length 1.358 in (34.49 mm) 1.496 in (38.00 mm)

Bob is closed with a flat base and tapered top. Torsion spring constant 386 dyne-cm/degree deflection Rotor speeds High speed Low speed

600 rpm 300 rpm

(b) Stopwatch. (c) Suitable container, e.g. the cup provided with viscometer. (d ) Thermometer: 32220F (0105C).
A.2.2. Procedure

The procedure is as follows. Place a sample in container and immerse the rotor sleeve exactly to the scribed line. Measurements in the field should be made with minimum delay (within five minutes, if possible from sampling) and at a temperature as near as practical to that of the mud at the place of sampling (not to differ more than 10F (6C)). The place of sampling should be stated on the report. (b) Record the temperature of the sample. (c) With the sleeve rotating at 600 rpm, wait for dial to reach a steady value (the time required is dependent on the mud characteristics). Record the dial reading for 600 rpm. (d ) Shift to 300 rpm and wait for dial reading to reach steady value. Record the dial reading for 300 rpm. (a)

A.2.3. Calculation

Plastic viscosity (in cP)

= 600 rpm reading 600 rpm reading 2

300 rpm reading

Apparent viscosity (in cP) =

2

Yield point (in lb/l00 ft ) = 300 rpm reading

plastic viscosity

A.3. Specific gravity test A.3.1. Equipment

The equipment consists of the following. (a) (b) A set of calibrated weighing scales of sufficient accuracy to permit measurement of weight to within 0.1 g. A fixed volume container with a flat upper edge generally no smaller than 1.0 litre capacity with a closely fitting top plate.
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A.3.2. Procedure

The procedure is as follows. The empty fixed volume container and the top plate is carefully dried and weighed and the weight is recorded, Wa . (b) The fixed volume container is filled to the top with water. The top plate is carefully slid across the top of the container to exclude all air bubbles. Any excess water is removed to avoid errors. The container, top plate and water are carefully weighed and the weight recorded, Wb. (c) The fixed volume container is emptied, dried and filled to the top with fluid to be tested. The top plate is carefully slid across the top of the container to exclude all air bubbles. Any excess fluid is removed to avoid errors. The container, top plate and fluid are carefully weighed and the weight recorded, Wc . (d ) The specific gravity of the fluid is calculated as follows specific gravity = (Wc Wa)/(Wb Wa ). (e) The accuracy of the weighing scales should be checked at least weekly. (a)

A.4. Bleed test A.4.1. Equipment

The equipment consists of a plastic or similar material vertical measuring cylinder graduated in 20 ml increments up to 1000 ml, and a membrane or similar to seal the measuring cylinder top to avoid evaporation. The procedure is as follows. (a) Carefully fill the measuring cylinder to the 1000 ml mark with the cementitious slurry, ensuring that no air is entrapped. Seal the top of the measuring cylinder. Leave to stand undisturbed for 24 hours. When the slurry has stood for 24 hours record the volume occupied by the set solids.

A.4.2. Procedure

(b)

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