1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hold one finger over tip of funnel; pour the mud
through funnel screen until the funnel is filled to
the bottom of the screen (1,500 cm 3).
Begin the flow of mud into the mud cup by
removing the finger. Start a stop watch at exactly
the same time.
Stop the watch when the mud level reaches the
one quart mark.
Note the number of seconds recorded by the stop
watch and enter on API Drilling Mud Report as
“Funnel Viscosity (sec/qt) API.”
Record temperature of mud at flow line.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Using the same sample of mud, completely fill the
mud balance cup.
Place lid on cup with a rotating motion, expelling
some mud through the hole in the lid, and wash
mud from outside of cup. Wipe the excess water
from mud balance with towel or rag.
Place balance arm on the base with knife edge on
the fulcrum and move the rider along the balance
arm until balance indicates the arm is level.
Note the Density (weight of the mud at the left
hand edge of the rider and enter on API drilling
mud report as “weight (lb/g, lb/cu ft, or specific
gravity, SG).”
1.
2.
3.
4.
As quickly as possible within 10° F from original
temperature, start the viscometer test.
Fill viscometer cup with mud to approximately
two inches from the top. Immerse the rotor
sleeve to the scribed line.
Place a thermometer in the mud, but do not lay it
against the rotor sleeve. Record temperature.
Run rotary speed at 600 rpm until dial stabilizes.
Record the reading.
Change speed to 300 rpm. Let dial stabilize and
record the reading.
5.
A.
B.
C.
Plastic viscosity (PV) recorded in centipoises
(cp):
PV= 600rpm reading – 300 rpm reading.
Yield Point (YP) in lbs/100 ft 2.
= 300 rpm reading – PV
Apparent Viscosity AV in centipoise:
AV= 600 rpm reading
2
1.
2.
3.
After running the PV and YP, stir mud at 600 rpm
for 10 seconds.
Put viscometer in the 3 rpm position.
Wait 10 seconds, and then manually turn the
knurled hand wheel (on top of viscometer) very
slowly to produce a positive reading. As the
rotary sleeve is being moved very slowly, a
reading will produced on dial. Once the reading
records its maximum measurement, it will begin
to decline. The highest reading will be the initial
gel strength and this is the reading at should be
recorded.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Again stir sample at 600 rpm for 10 seconds, go
to the 3 rpm setting, and turn off viscometer.
Set timer and keep mud in static state for 10
minutes.
Repeat procedure in step 3. Record the highest
reading as the 10-minute gel strength.
The initial and 10 minute gel strength will both be
recorded in lb/100 ft 2.
NOTE: A 30 minute gel strength can be run as
well. Repeat from step 4, allowing sample to set
for 30 minutes before checking and recording
deflection at 3 rpm.
1.
2.
3.
Remove bottom of filter cell and fill to ½ inch
from gasket ledge with mud. Be sure cell is clean
and o-ring is in place before placing filter paper
and locking bottom of cell in position with
moderate hand pressure on locking screw.
Engage coupling at top of cylinder with coupling
on filter press rack.
Place 25 cc graduated cylinder under filter press.
Pressurize the cell to 100 psi by opening the valve
at top of press until pressure can be heard
entering filter cell. (This should take one or two
complete turns. Be careful do not turn too far.
Start timer immediately.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Read and record 7-1/2 minute and 30 minute
fluid loss in cubic centimeters (cm3). After 30
minutes, shut off and release by turning valve
clockwise. (Save filtrate for Chemical tests.)
Save filter paper and use extreme caution to
prevent minimum disturbance of filter cake.
With a gentle flow of water, wash excess mud
from filter cake.
Measure the thickness of filter cake and record
in 32nds if an inch. Record the physical
properties of the cake.
Record filtrate loss as # of cc’s collected in 30
minutes.
pH Strip Method:
1.
2.
3.
Place one-inch strip of indicator paper on surface
of mud or place into filtrate. Allow it to remain
until liquid gas wetted the surface of the paper
and the color has stabilized (usually about 30
seconds).
Compare the color of the paper with the color
standards provided with the paper dispenser and
estimate pH.
Note the ph to the nearest 0.5 or 0.2 units
depending upon the scale of the color chart.
Enter in proper space on the mud report.
1.
2.
3.
Standardized the glass electrode ph meter with
suitable buffer solutions according to directions
supplied with the instrument. Make the necessary
adjustments to put the meter into operation.
Wash the tips of he electrodes, gently wipe dry,
and insert them into the mud. Rotate the
container to stir the mud around the electrode.
After the meter reading becomes constant (30
seconds to several minutes), record the pH to the
nearest 0.1 unit, and enter in proper place on the
mud report.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Fill glass measuring tube to indicated mark with mud.
Add water to next mark, close mouth of bulb, and shake
vigorously.
Pour mixture onto a clean, wet 200 mesh screen. Add
wash water to the tube and pour this on screen. Repeat
washing until tube is clean.
Fit funnel on top of sieve. Insert tip of funnel into glass
bulb and wash sand back into bulb with water.
Allow sand to settle and read sand content percent on
graduations of bulb.
Record sand to settle and read sand content percent on
graduations of bulb.
Record percent sand by volume, estimating to the
nearest tenth of one percent.*
*There may be particles other than sand that may have been captured. Note the
presence of these solids (for example, lost circulation materials, shale
cuttings, and barite).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Disassemble retort unit and check for cleanliness.
De-aerate mud before attempting retort test.
Place a measured volume of mud in cylinder cup
and place lid on top, expelling excess mud.
Insert fine steel wool in heating probe.
Assemble the retort and place on condensing
chamber.
Put a clean 100% graduated cylinder under the
condenser discharge.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Plug into proper voltage to begin heating retort.
Continue 10 minutes after no more condensate is
collected.
Add wetting agent to separate oil and water.
Read oil and water percent directly from graduate.
100 %-( oil% +H2O %) = solids%
This reading incorrect if salt is present in the water phase. Volume of salt in
mud can be estimated from chloride analysis of filtrate. Consider the percent of
salt as part of the continuous liquid phase. The same percent amount should be
subtracted from solids percent. Record the corrected oil, water, and solids
percent by volume.
Alkalinity of mud (Pm)
1.
2.
Using syringe, measure one milliliter (ml) of mud
into titrating vessel. Dilute with 25 to 50 ml
distilled water. Add 4or 5 drops of
phenolphthalein. While stirring, titrate rapidly
with 0.02 N sulfuric acid until pink color
disappears.
Report Pm as the number of ml of 0.02 N acid
used.
Alkalinity of filtrate (Pf)
1.
2.
Measure one ml of filtrate into titration vessel;
add two drops phenolphthalein. If no color
appears, the alkalinity is zero. If indicator turns
pink, titrate with 0.02 N sulfuric acid until color
disappears. (If the sample is so colored that a
color change cannot be detected, the endpoint is
taken when the pH drops to 8.3 as measured with
the pH meter.)
Report Pf as the number of ml of 0.02 N acid
used.
Alkalinity of filtrate (Pf)
3.
4.
Add two drops of bromcresol green-methyl
orange to the same sample and continue titrating
with 0.02 N acid until color changes to yellow.
Report Mf as the total number of ml of 0.02 N
acid used. NOTE: Mf alkalinity is not part of the
API Code, but some operators use it to determine
carbonates, bicarbonates, and hydroxides in the
mud.
Alkalinity of filtrate (Pf)
5.
Calculate the lime content of the mud:
Lbs/bbl lime= 0.26(Pm-FwPf).
Fw is the water fraction of the mud as determined
from the liquid-solids test:
Fw = % water by vol.
100
6.
Report lime content lbs/bbl in one of the blank
spaces provided on the mud report.
Chloride Determination (Salt Content)
1.
2.
Measure one ml of filtrate in titration dish. Add 2 drops
phenolphthalein. If indicator turns pink, add 0.02 n
sulfuric acid drop by drop while stirring until pink color
disappears.
Add 25 to 50 ml distilled water and 5 to 10 drops
potassium chromate. Titrate with 0.0282 N silver
nitrate while stirring until color changes from yellow to
brick red and persists for 30 seconds.
Chloride Determination (Salt Content)
Chloride (mg /1000cm³) = (cm³ of silver nitrate) (strength)
Cm³ of filtrate used
Salt naCl mg/l= (1.65) (chlorides mg/l)
Grains per gallon = (0.0583) (salt) mg/l)
Total Hardness- calcium
(Quantitative Determination)
1.
To approximately 50 ml distilled water in titration
vessel, add approximately two ml of hardness
buffer solution and sufficient hardness indicator
solution to give a strong color (two to six drops).
If red color develops, and Versenate drop by drop
until color turns blue. Do not record this amount
to calculate CaCO3 mg/100cm³.
Total Hardness- calcium
(Quantitative Determination)
2.
Add 1 ml of filtrate to the vessel. If calcium or
magnesium is present, a wine color will develop.
Titrate with versenate while stirring until color
turns blue. NOTE: Filtrate is colored red-brown
by chemical thinners; the color change may be
from brownish-purple to slate grey. Record ml of
versenate and calculate CaCo3 with the following
formula.
Total Hardness- calcium
(Quantitative Determination)
CaCo3 (mg/1) mg/1000cm³ = cm³ standard versenate (1000)
No. of cm³ filtrate used
Ca++mg/1000 cm³= (0.4) (CaCO3mg/1000cm³)
3. Enter results as mg/1000 cm³ on mud report.
Equipment:
The following materials are necessary to estimate the cation
exchange capacity of drilling mud solids or clays using the
methylene blue method.
1.
Methylene blue Solution 3.74 g USP grade
2.
Hydrogen peroxide: three percent solution
3.
Sulfuric acid: 5N
4.
One 1 cm³ serological pipette or one 1 cm³ syringe
5.
Erlenmeyer Flask: 250 cm³
6.
Burette: 10 cm³
7.
Graduated cylinder: 50 cm³
8.
Stirring rod
9.
Hot Plate
10. Filter paper
Procedure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Add two ml of the mud sample to the Erlenmeyer flask
containing 10 cm³ of distilled water.
Add 15 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Add 0.5 ml of sulfuric acid.
Gently boil the mixture for 10 minutes.
After boiling, bring the total volume to 50 ml using distilled
water. Allow the liquid to cool.
Add methylene blue solution in 0.5 ml increments. After
each addition swirl the contents for about 30 seconds. While
the solids are suspended, remove one drop of liquid with a
stirring rod and place the drop on the filter paper. The
endpoint is reached when a greenish-blue ring surrounding
the dyed solids appears.
Procedure:
7.
8.
When the endpoint is reached, stir for two minutes and
again place one drop on filter paper. If the greenish-blue
ring is again evident, the endpoint has been reached. If the
ring does not appear, continue adding methylene blue in .5
ml increments until the endpoint is reached and remains
(after stirring for an additional two minutes). Record ml of
methylene blue used.
The cation exchange of the mud should be reported as the
methylene blue capacity, calculated as follows:
Methylene Blue Capacity = ml of methylene blue
ml mud
Procedure:
NOTE: Bentonite is not the only substance in a drilling fluid that
will absorb methylene blue. The addition of hydrogen
peroxide is intended to remove the effect of organic materials
such as CMC, polyacrylates, lignosulfonates and lignites. The
use of hydrogen peroxide allows the bentonite content of the
mud to be estimated with out interference of other absorptive
materials.
The calculation is made as follows:
Bentonite, lb/bbl= 5x methylene blue capacity
Procedure:
NOTE: The cation exchange of clays can also be determined by
the following method:
1.
Weigh 100 grams of clay
2.
Disperse the 100 grams into water using a high speed
mixer.
3.
Titrate, using the method above but delete the hydrogen
peroxide.
4.
The cation exchange capacity can be given as milliequivalents of methylene blue per 100 grams of clay.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Connect the heating jacket to the correct line
voltage.
Place a thermometer (50°/500°) in the
thermometer well and preheat to 10° above
selected temperature.
Pour mud sample into cell and leave ½-inch from
top to allow for expansion.
Place filter paper.
Tighten allen screws evenly and close bottom
valve.
Place cell in heating jacket and transfer
thermometer to the cell thermometer well.
7.
8.
Place pressure unit to top valve and lock into
place. Place pressure unit to bottom valve and
lock in place. Apply 100psi to both pressure units
with valves closed. Open the top valve and apply
100psi to the mud while heating.
When sample reaches the desired temperature,
increase top pressure unit to 600 psi and open
bottom valve to start filtration. (There should be
100psi on bottom valve.)
9.
10.
11.
Collect filtrate for 30 minutes maintaining 500°F.
If back pressure increases above 100 psi, slowly
relieve pressure by collecting filtrate. Record total
volume by doubling filtrate ml.
Close top and bottom valves and back-off
pressures from both regulators.
CAUTION: Pressure in the filter cell will be 500
psi. Maintain cell in upright position and cool to
room temperature before disassembly.