Water Base

Drilling Fluid
Systems &
Products

WATERBASE MUD SYSTEMS

Many types of water-base systems.

Basic systems are usually converted to

complex systems as a well is deepened,
as wellbore temperatures and/or
pressures increase and formations
dictate.
More than one system is typically used
when drilling the same well.

FACTORS AFFECTING DRILLING FLUID

SELECTION

(1) Application:

– Drilling surface interval

– Drilling
g intermediate interval
– Drilling production interval:
•Completion Method
•Production Type
 Factors Affecting Drilling Fluid Selection (Cont)

(2) Geology
•Shale Type
•Sand Type
– Permeability
•Other Formation Types
– Carbonate Rock
» Limestone
» Dolomite
– Salts

Factors Affecting Drilling Fluid Selection (Cont)

(3) Make-Up Water

– Type of water

– Chloride
Chl id concentration
t ti

– Hardness (Calcium / Magnesium)

concentration

Factors Affecting Drilling Fluid Selection (Cont)

(4) Drilling Data

– Water Depth -- Hole Size

– Hole Angle --Torque/Drag

– Drilling Rate -- Mud Weight

– Maximum Temperature
Factors Affecting Drilling Fluid Selection (Cont)

(5) Potential Problems

– Shale Problems -- Bit/BHA Balling

– Stuck
St k Pipe
Pi -- Loss
L Circulation
Ci l ti

– Depleted Sands

Factors Affecting Drilling Fluid Selection (Cont)

(6) Rig/Drilling Equipment

– Remote Location

– Limited Surface Capacity

– Good Mixing Capacities

– Good Mud Pumps

– Good Solids Control Equipment

Factors Affecting Drilling Fluid Selection (Cont)

(7) Contamination:
Solids Cement

Salt Anhydrite's/Gyp

Acid Gases
CO2
H2 S
 Classification of Water-Base Drilling Fluids

Un-weighted clay water suspensions

Deflocculated, weighted clay-water suspensions
Calcium treated, weighted deflocculated clay-water suspensions
Salt water systems
y
HTHP Deflocculated Systems
Polymers Systems
HTHP Polymer Systems
Cationic Systems

SOLIDS CONTENT vs MUD DENSITY CHART

Solids Content v. Mud Density

60
+ 10% LGS
+ 5% LGS
50 Barite
+ 10% LGS
cent Solids

+ 5% LGS
40 Hematite
Volume Perc

30

Low Gravity Solids

20

10

0
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Mud Weight, lbs/gal

PV, YP vs Mud Wt. ppg

PV & YP v. Mud Wt, lbs/gal

50
Max Recommended PV
45
Plastic Viscosity, Yield Point & MBT

40

35

30

25 Max Recommended MBT

20

15 Max Recommended YP

10

0
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Mud Weight, lbs/gal
UNWEIGHTED, CLAY-WATER SUSPENSION

Basically composed of (Bentonite)

and water.
Used to spud (begin) a well
Native Mud ((Bentonite incorporated
p
with drilled solids from the
formation as some formations are
bentonetic in nature and increase
viscosity)

UNWEIGHTED, CLAY-WATER SUSPENSION (Cont)

Low Solids System due to no added

weight materials

Low in cost and high penetration rate

Extremely shear thinning

UNWEIGHTED, CLAY-WATER SUSPENSION (Cont)

This system is usually converted to a more complex

system prior to reaching critical formation.
Drilled solids should be maintained at low values
utilizing mechanical solids control equipment to
prevent excessive dilution prior to converting to
a complex
comple system.
s stem
Low buoyancy effect on cuttings

Hole cleaning depends primarily on viscosity

 UNWEIGHTED, CLAY-WATER SUSPENSION (Cont)

Plastic Viscosity is naturally low since the

solids content is low

Higher Yield Points are required because

of the low Plastic Viscosity

Chemical deflocculants should be avoided

if possible since they reduce the YP.

UNWEIGHTED, CLAY-WATER SUSPENSION (Cont)

Fluid loss (if needed) should be controlled

with the addition of:

Additional Bentonite

or

Polymers such as CMC or POLYPAC ® that

do not decrease the Yield Point

THIS SYSTEM SHOULD LOOK THICK

UNWEIGHTED, CLAY-WATER SUSPENSION (Cont)

Typical Properties:

Density: 8.8-10.0 ppg

FV 36-55 sec/qt
PV 5-9 cps
YP 12-25 lb/100 ft2
Gels 55-10
10 / 10
10-20
20 lb/100 ft2
pH 8.5-9.0
Pf/Pm 0.1-0.5 / 0.1-0.8 cc’s
Solids 3-10 percent
Fluid Loss as needed
Chlorides 0-5000± mg/l (fresh water)
MBT 12-25 ppb equ.
Calcium 220± mg/l
 UNWEIGHTED, CLAY-WATER SUSPENSION (Cont)

Typical Products Primary Function

Bentonite viscosity/fluid loss

Caustic Soda pH/Pf/Pm
Soda Ash hardness control
FCL thinner
POLYPAC ® */CMC* viscosity/fluid loss
Starch fluid loss
BARITE density increase

Lignosulfonate SYSTEMS
This is the most common drilling fluid system used in
the industry.

Primary product -SPERSENE® (lignosulfonate -

contains chrome) an organic acid which supplies
anions ((negative
g ions)) which reduce the YP and Gel
strengths by neutralizing the cations (positive ions) on
the clay particles.

System requires an alkaline environment to solubilize

the SPERSENE ®. Caustic Soda or Lime should be
used to increase the pH to a minimum of 9.5

Lignosulfonate SYSTEMS (Continued)

System can tolerate high solids and

contamination - by increasing the
concentration of SPERSENE® and
TANNATHIN® (lignite) or XP-20® (caustized
chrome lignite)

Lignite, like lignosulfonate is an organic acid

that supplies anions which reduce the YP
and Gels by neutralizing the clay particles.
 SPERSENE® SYSTEMS (Continued)

Mixing ratio of SPERSENE ® to

TANNATHIN ® or XP-20 ® is commonly 2 to
1. This ratio can be varied as needed.

These products, SPERSENE ®,

TANNATHIN ®, and XP-20 ® are
deflocculants- commonly called dispersants
or thinners since they reduce the viscosity of
the drilling fluid.

Lignosulfonate® SYSTEMS (Continued)

SPERSENE® systems are usually converted
from the basic Unweighted, Clay Water
Suspensions or “Spud Mud's”.

Many systems utilize SPERSENE®. These

systems include:

Calcium treated systems:

SPERSENE®/GYP SYSTEM

SPERSENE®/LIME SYSTEM

Lignosulfonate® SYSTEMS (Continued)

Other SPERSENE®/lignosulfonate systems:

SETAN LIME SYSTEM

SPERSENE®/XP-20® SEAWATER
SYSTEM

SATURATED SALT SYSTEM

Lignosulfonate® SYSTEMS (Continued)
The stability of the SPERSENE® system is
increased by increasing the concentration of
SPERSENE® and TANNATHIN® or XP-20®.

Lightly treated SPERSENE® systems contain:

2-6 ppb SPERSENE®
1-3 ppb TANNATHIN® or XP-20®

Fully inhibitive SPERSENE® systems contain:

8-12 ppb SPERSENE®
4-6 ppb TANNATHIN® or XP-20®

Lignosulfonate® SYSTEMS (Continued)

Temperature Limits:

Temperature limitation of the SPERSENE® system

is approximately 320°F.
This temperature limitation can be increased
significantly by increasing the concentration of the
li it (TANNATHIN® or XP-20
lignite XP 20®) and
d reducing
d i
the concentration of lignosulfonate (SPERSENE®).

TANNATHIN® or XP-20® (lignite) have a

temperature limitation of 450°F, but the solubility
is reduced as the chloride concentration increases
above 15,000 mg/l.

CALCIUM TREATED SYSTEMS

Calcium added to a clay-water slurry causes
flocculation - an increase in yield point and gel
strengths.

This is caused by the Ca2+ cation having higher

bonding energy than the Na+ cation on the clays, thus
converting them to Ca2+ clays.
clays

This results in partial dehydration of the hydrated clay

particles, causing a reduction in the size of the water
envelope around the clay particle. This reduction of
the water envelope allows closer proximity of the clay
particles to each other, resulting in flocculation.
CALCIUM TREATED SYSTEMS (CONT)
If a deflocculant is not present or utilized, the size
of the flocks of clay will increase and precipitate
out, resulting in decreased PV’s.

As calcium is added when sufficient deflocculant is

present, partial dehydration will still occur and the
water envelope will be reduced causing a increase
in the YP and Gels initially. This is called a viscosity
hump.

Shear, time and temperature causes the clay flocks

to break apart and the anionic deflocculants
neutralize the cationic clay charges, reducing the YP.

CALCIUM TREATED SYSTEMS (CONT)

This phenomenon of an increase in YP and
then a sudden reduction in YP occurs when
calcium is either drilled and treated or added
to convert (break over) to a calcium based
drilling fluid -SPERSENE®/Gyp or
SPERSENE®/Lime System.
System

The clay solids concentration determines

how great the viscosity increase (viscosity
hump) is when calcium is added to convert
the system.

CALCIUM TREATED SYSTEMS (CONT)

Due to this viscosity hump, the drilled solids
should be reduced to a low, optimum concentration
prior to breaking over to a calcium system or drilling
into a known formation containing calcium (like
anhydrite). If needed, polymers may be added to
maintain the viscosity.

The purpose of converting to a calcium based fluid

is to provide inhibition in formations containing
sodium clays through a base exchange to calcium
based clays, or making the drilling fluid compatible
with a formation containing high calcium, such as
anhydrite.
 CALCIUM TREATED SYSTEMS (CONT)

Calcium also reacts with carbonates (CO2) to

treat out contamination for carbon dioxide
(CO2).

Calcium solubility is inversely proportional

to pH
pH. It is near insoluble at a pH of 11.5
11 5 or
greater, and more soluble at a low pH.

Lime “Ca2+(OH)2 buffers the pH when acid

gases such as CO2 and H2S are encountered.

SATURATED SALTWATER SYSTEM

•This system is designed to prevent hole
enlargement while a salt section is being drilled by
allowing salt to dissolve into the water phase of the
fluid being used.

•The above is achieved by adding salt (sodium

cholride)) to the system
y until the saturation p
point is
reached. The saturation point of the system is
190,000± mg/l chlorides.

•Some operators increase the chlorides to a level

slightly above 100,000 mg/l if the salt section is not
very thick. This will reduce the rate of solubility and
hole enlargement.

SATURATED SALTWATER SYSTEM (Cont)

To convert an existing system, the following procedure
should be used:
On initial breakover, add the following as fast as
possible:

2 - 3 ppb Caustic Soda

1 - 2 pp
ppb Soda Ash
4 - 6 ppb SPERSENE®
110-125 ppb Salt ( Amount depends of initial salt
concentration prior to breakover.)
The salt will flocculate the reactive clays, increasing the
viscosity. For this reason, the clay solids should be
minimized prior to and during conversion.
 SATURATED SALTWATER SYSTEM (Cont)
Run pilot test prior to conversion to determine
dilution rate and quantities of product needed
for a trouble-free breakover.

After adding the necessary chemical previously

mentioned, 0.5 to 1.0 ppb POLYPAC UL® should
be added. This should reduce the viscosity and
aid in fluid loss control. If the viscosity is not
reduced sufficiently, further dilution with
saturated saltwater and additions of
SPERSENE® should be used.

SATURATED SALTWATER SYSTEM (Cont)

To mix a SATURATED SALT SYSTEM, the
following procedure should be used:

Add 10 - 15 ppb pre-hydrated GEL® to the salt

water.

Afterwards, the other chemicals can be added as

Afterwards
described previously.

If additional suspension and/or carrying capacity is

needed, small quantities of XCD-Poly (0 - 0.5 ppb)
are recommended.

SATURATED SALTWATER SYSTEM (Cont)

Things to consider prior to using a Saturated
Salt System:

Be aware that the minimum density of this

system is about 10.5 ppg. The natural weight of
the saturated sodium chloride brine is 10.0 ppg.

Temperature limit: <300°F -Note: If the BHT is

expected to be greater than this, a synthetic or
oil based drilling fluid should be used.
 POTASSIUM SYSTEMS
Potassium is an effective ion that minimizes
(inhibits) clay hydration. This is achieved by
the ionic base exchange of potassium for
sodium and/or calcium ions on clay platelets.

Swelling clays are selective toward

potassium and will adsorb potassium ion
over the sodium ion.

POTASSIUM SYSTEMS (Cont)

THE POTASSIUM CHLORIDE SYSTEM

Developed to stabilize water sensitive shales by

means of potassium ion inhibition.

Minimizes the hydration of shales, which

minimizes hole enlargement, bit and stabilizer
balling, sloughing shale and reduction of
permeability in productive zones.

Uses potassium chloride (KCl) as the primary

source of potassium

POTASSIUM SYSTEMS (Continued)

Concentration of KCl required to inhibit the shale
being drilled depends on the shales’ sensitivity to
water.

Shale cuttings should be monitored for inhibition

during drilling operations. Insufficient concentrations
will cause the shale to be soft and mushy
mushy. If there is a
sufficient concentration of KCl, the shale will retain its
integrity.

Concentration of KCl required:

Older Shales: 10 - 15 ppb (3.5 - 5.0 %)
Younger Shales: 30 - 50 ppb (8.5 - 15.0%)
POTASSIUM SYSTEMS (Continued)
KCl and other chemicals should be pre-mixed prior
to adding to the system.

KCl system is solids and calcium sensitive.

Mix this system from scratch - do not convert from

native clay drilling system.
system

The hardness of the make-up water should be treated

with Soda Ash to < 300 mg/l prior to adding other
chemicals. Afterward, pre-hydrated M-I GEL® may
be added. Then the other products should be added
as recommended. The temperature limit 300°F.

High Temperature SYSTEM

Designed to drill in high temperature, high
pressure environments.

Stable in the presence of contaminates such

as calcium,
calcium salts,
salts and acid gases.
gases

Used at temperatures > 500°F due to low clay

solids content and chemicals which are
stable at high temperatures.

High Temp. SYSTEM (Continued)

Clays solids content (bentonite) is reduced in this
system as the density and temperatures increase.
Polymeric materials replace the bentonite to
provide viscosity and gel strengths.

Convert most water base system by substituting

XP-20® for SPERSENE®, reducing clay solids, and
using CMC or POLYPAC® for viscosity and solids
suspension.

THERMEX™ or RESINEX® is used for high

temperature-high pressure fluid loss.
 High Temp. SYSTEM (Continued)
Proper solids control is an absolute necessity.
Monitor fluid carefully for temperature stability.
Can be done by heat aging daily at 25°F above
estimated BHT.
Monitor clay solids content and maintain within the
recommended ranges.
If a closed-loop solids control unit is used with this
system, the solids particle size and PV should to be
monitored closely and controlled within the proper
range by opening up the loop as necessary to dispose
of fine solids.
Dilution rates are to be monitored closely to insure
that proper chemical concentrations are maintained.

Glycol SYSTEM
This is an enhanced-polymer, water-base system using
polyglycol technology to provide shale inhibition,
wellbore stability, HTHP fluid loss, and lubricity.

The system is ideal for drilling depleted sands where

differential pressure sticking is a concern, in high-angle
holes, with reactive formations to provide wellbore
stability, and reduce torque and drag.

Other benefits include enhanced cuttings integrity,

improved filter cake, lower dilution rates, less hole
enlargement, greater solids tolerance, reduced bit balling,
increased ROP, and is environmentally acceptable due to
it’s low toxicity and reduced disposal cost.

Glycol SYSTEM (Continued)

CLOUD-POINT PHENOMENON:

This is the primary mechanism for inhibition and

stabilization.

CLOUD-POINT is the temperature at which

CLOUD-
polyglycol changes from being totally soluble to
insoluble.****
insoluble

At temperatures above the cloud point, poly-glycols

form colloidal droplets or micelles which results in
a micro-emulsion. This is referred to as “Thermally
Activated Mud Emulsion” (TAME).
 Glycol SYSTEM(Continued)
GLYCOL is a true system, engineered to exhibit
the full range of cloud points in a wide spectrum
of salinity and downhole temperature. Results are:
• In-gauge wellbores
• Lower fluid loss and
leak-off values
• Lower potential for
diff
differential
ti l sticking
ti ki
• Less torque, drag, and
bit balling
• Slicker, firmer filter-
cakes
• Greater wellbore
Engineered cloud point behavior stability

Glycol SYSTEM(Continued)
The TAME provides wellbore stability in three
distinct ways:

1. Through chemical adsorption

2. Through micro-emulsion and precipitate pore

plugging

3. By providing a thinner, less porous filter/wall

cake.
This system is more effective with salt in the
system. Therefore, NaCl or KCL is recommended
for use in the system.

Glycol SYSTEM(Continued)
g With Better Chemistry
Better Drilling
 Cloud Points
C lo u d P o in ts - Glyd ril M C vs Glyd ril GP , N aC l

250
ature , de g. F

200

150
T e mpe ra

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25

% N aC l

3% G lydril G P 3% G lydril M C

Glycol SYSTEM (Continued)

The adsorption of insoluble poly-glycols into the
filter/wall cake on permeable formations reduces
the thickness of the filter/wall cake and fluid loss
rates.
The poly-glycols provide lubrication and resists
balling since insoluble poly-glycols have an
affinity to solids and can coat solids and other
surfaces.
Most Poly-glycol systems are designed to become
totally soluble as it cools while being pumped up
the annulus to the surface. But some systems are
designed to keep the poly-glycol insoluble at all
times.

Glycol Activated Systems

Wellbore Stability - Gauge Hole
Low Dilution Rates - Less Waste
Reduced Bit Balling
Thin, low COF cakes - Less
Torque

Wellbore

Filter Cake

Formation Clouded Glycol

 Glycol SYSTEM (Continued)
There are several glycols available with a wide
range of cloud points. Systems are usually
designed to find the proper glycol required
prior to drilling. Only the proper glycol will
be sent to the drill-site.

These poly-glycols are:

GLYDRIL™ GP (broad range clouding PAG blend)

GLYDRIL™ LC (low salinity clouding,<30,000 mg/l Cl)
GLYDRIL™MC (moderate salinity clouding, 30-90,000 mg/l Cl)
GLYDRIL™HC (high salinity clouding, >90,000 mg/l Cl)
GLYDRIL™100 (soluble poly-propylene)

Glycol SYSTEM (Continued)

Ways to lower the cloud point of poly-glycols:

1. Increase the molecular weight of the poly-

glycol.

2. Increase the concentration of poly-glycol.

3. Increase the salinity of the water.

4. Increase the temperature.

This system, like other polymer systems, should be

mixed from scratch

Glycol SYSTEM (Continued)

To displace another system with a Glycol system,
shaker screens should be sized to prevent losses,
because this mud will initially flocculate during the
first circulation or two. Fine screens should be
installed as soon as possible after displacement.

Use a viscous spacer ahead of the Poly-glycol

Polymer System when displacing. Also, if possible,
pump in turbulent flow to help remove old wall
cake and aid in a clean displacement.
 Glycol SYSTEM (Continued)

Cement is detrimental to this system.

Therefore, if displacement occurs at a casing
point, drill the cement and complete a
successful Formation Integrity Test (F.I.T.) or
leak-off test ((L.O.T.)) p
prior to displacement.
p

If cement must be drilled with this system,

prior arrangements should be made to reduce
the pH with citric acid and treat the calcium
out with sodium bicarbonate.