Drilling fluid, also known as drilling mud, has several purposes in the life of a well. Generally, it is used to help drill boreholes in the earth. Drilling fluid provides hydrostatic pressure, preventing formation fluids from entering the well and causing a blowout. It keeps the drill bit cool and lubricated while drilling, and avoids formation damage and limits corrosion.
It sounds simple, but how do the drilling fluids really work? Is it as simple as pouring them in a hole and waiting? What do the fluids do? We'll explain a little as to just how these fluids can assist in your well operations.
Drilling fluids can be water-based, oil-based, or synthetic-based. At Force Chem Technologies, we have all three different bases. Simply put, they are liquids used in the drilling process. The type of fluid used is based on the material of the rock formation; clay, salt, or something else, and the environmental impact the fluids will have in the given area. We recommend water-based drilling fluids for offshore drilling.
With the oilfield technology that we have today, drilling fluids can be used for more than one function in the field. Depending on the job being performed, the duty of the drilling fluid changes.
Drilling fluids cool drill bits and reduce torque on the pipe. They can reduce drag and move heat away from the entire pipe string. The quality of the fluids can make a difference in how well these fluids work in your well. At Force Chem, we stand by the quality of our products.
Here are a few tasks that our drilling fluids are used for each day.
In this case, the fluids carry the excavated rock to the surface of the earth. Think of a river carrying sediment to the mouth of a river. This is similar. The size and shape of the rock and the speed of the fluid controls which rocks are carried to the surface. If the fluids are moving swiftly, larger chunks of rock are able to move to the surface, but if it is moving too slowly, the rock chunks will settle in the well. We recommend using Force Fluids Viscosifiers to stop shavings from settling at the bottom of your well.
Drilling fluids help control the pressures within the well, keeping the wellbores stable. Fluid density is increased when formation pressure increases, keeping a balance. When formation pressures are not balanced, we've seen unexpected influxes of formations fluids, leading to blowouts.
The hydrostatic pressure in the well is directly related to the density of the drilling fluids. We know the hydrostatic pressure should be equal to the formation pressure to allow for complete well control. At Force Chem, we use our drilling fluids to make sure there are no uncontrollable formation fluids flowing into the wellbore. Limiting fluid density to the minimum amount necessary reduces the chance of fracturing the formation.
As with any technology, heat is created when the drill is in motion. The drill string rotates and rubs against the wellbore, causing friction. Our drilling fluids move heat away from the bit and the drill string, cooling them off and lowering the temperature in the wellbore. This allows the bit and the drill string to continue working, with less failure. Poor lubrication can cause torque and heat checking, creating problems in the wellbore.
Most often, oil-based or synthetic-based fluids are used in these instances as we know they tend to lubricate better than water-based fluids. We have a Force line of drilling fluids to choose from, depending on the project.
With so many uses for drilling fluids, it's easy to see why oilfield technology is centered around them. We can use this product for so many different processes, simplifying things in an already complex world. With all the uses, we know drilling fluids are likely to become an even more valuable asset to the oil industry.