Mud systems
Encyclopedia
Effective solids control
can be attributed to the overall performance of all the components of the mud systems. Conditioning the drilling fluid
with the goal of dramatically lowering maintenance cost, avoiding excessive chemical treatment and maintaining mud systems volume will decrease the chance of equipment failure, unnecessary high mud costs, hole and drilling problems.
In the early oil industry open earthen pits were used as settling area to separate solids and mud thereby acting as a solids control equipment. Now, with the stringent environmental regulations and high mud costs, the economics of an effective mud systems come into consideration. Different solids control companies introduce zero-discharge systems, closed-loop systems, "quick move" technology , screening technology, disposal options etc.
Solids control
Solids control is a technique used for well drilling to provide prepared drilling fluids for drilling rigs. Drilling fluid maintenance cost, clean up, and disposal cost as well as the overall cost of boring can be reduced dramatically when proper solids control techniques are utilized...
can be attributed to the overall performance of all the components of the mud systems. Conditioning the drilling fluid
Drilling fluid
In geotechnical engineering, drilling fluid is a fluid 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...
with the goal of dramatically lowering maintenance cost, avoiding excessive chemical treatment and maintaining mud systems volume will decrease the chance of equipment failure, unnecessary high mud costs, hole and drilling problems.
In the early oil industry open earthen pits were used as settling area to separate solids and mud thereby acting as a solids control equipment. Now, with the stringent environmental regulations and high mud costs, the economics of an effective mud systems come into consideration. Different solids control companies introduce zero-discharge systems, closed-loop systems, "quick move" technology , screening technology, disposal options etc.
Different Sections of surface mud systems
- Removal Section. Separation of undesirable drilled solids and even gas occurs in this section.
- Addition Section. Commercial chemicals are being added and agitated to control and condition the mud.
- Suction and Testing Section. This is the last part of the mud systems wherein evaluation and testing procedures are conducted before re-circulating the fluid to downhole.
Major Components of Mud Systems
- Mud Gas SeparatorMud Gas SeparatorMud Gas Separator is commonly called a gas-buster or poor boy degasser. It captures and separates large volume of free gas within the drilling fluid. If there is a "KICK" situation, this vessel separates the mud and the gas by allowing it to flow over baffle plates. The gas then is forced to flow...
- Shale shakersShale shakersShale shakers are devices that remove drill cuttings from the drilling fluid that is used for boring holes into the earth. Controlling the solids in drilling fluid is an important component of the cost of drilling, so research into improved shaker design is ongoing.-Shale shaker design:Shale...
- Sand Trap
- DesanderDesanderDesanders and desilters are drilling rig equipment with a set of hydrocyclones that separates sand and silt from the drilling fluid. Desander is installed after shakers and degasser but before desilter. Desander removes those abrassive solids from the drilling mud which cannot be removed by shakers...
- Desilter
- DegasserDegasserA degasser is a device used in drilling to remove gasses from drilling fluid which could otherwise form bubbles.-Degasser:For small amount of entrained gas in a drilling fluid, the degasser can play a major role of removing small bubbles that a liquid film has enveloped and entrapped...
- Mud cleanerMud cleanerA mud cleaner is a combination of desanders and/or desilters to remove drilled solids from mud.-History:Although US Patent No.3,766,997 covering Mud Cleaner was issued on October 23, 1973 granted to J.K. Heilhecker and L.H...
- Decanting Centrifuge
- Mud agitatorMud agitatorA mud agitator is used in surface mud systems to suspend solids and maintain homogeneous mixture throughout the system. A mechanical agitator is driven by an explosion-proof motor, coupled to a gear box that drives the impeller shaft. The impellers transform mechanical power into fluid circulation...
- Tanks/Compartments
- Mud Guns
- Mixing Hopper
- Centrifugal Pumps
- Mud Pumps
- Others
- Screw ConveyorScrew conveyorA screw conveyor or auger conveyor is a mechanism that uses a rotating helical screw blade, called a "flighting", usually within a tube, to move liquid or granular materials. They are used in many bulk handling industries...
- Mud Ditch
- Trip Tank
- Water Tanks
- Atmospheric Degasser
- Cutting Driers