PET 310E - Drilling and Completion Fluids Laboratory

Course Objectives

To inform about the primary functions of the drilling fluid,
To inform about the test procedures used to determine whether the drilling fluid has suitable properties for performing primary functions of the drilling fluid,
To inform about the common additives used to obtain the desirable properties under various well conditions,
To inform about the main factors governing the selection of drilling fluids,
To inform about the primary functions of the completion fluid,
To give an ability to write the technical report.

Course Description

Drilling fluids: Types, selection, and field tests. Diagnostic and pilot tests. Mud clays: hydration mechanism, physical properties, effect of salt, and pH. Water-base muds: Low-solids nondispersed muds, dispersed muds, chemical additives, chemical removal of contaminants, filtration-density-solids control. Inhibitive water-base muds: Calcium treated muds, high salinity muds, and treatment. Oil-base muds: Additives and treatment. Well completion fluids: Rheological and filtration properties.