BAKER HUGHES - Drilling Fluids Reference Manual

Baker Hughes Drilling Fluids
• Press the button down to the second stop to empty the tip completely.
• Hold the button down and slide the tip along the wall on the vial and remove.
• Let the yellow control knob glide back to its rest position.
• Eject the tip by pressing the tip ejector button.
4. Cap the vial and shake for 1 minute.
5. Allow vial to rest for 2 to 3 minutes while the phases separate.
6. Place vial in the top of the color wheel viewer to best match its color to one of the
standard solutions. Tilt the color wheel forward and view the % by volume glycol in the
aqueous phase on the scale which is visible through the small hole on top of the color
wheel and record.
Note:
For glycol concentrations between 5% and 10% by volume, the filtrate must be diluted
50:50 with distilled water. (Refer to detailed instructions with equipment)
Cloud Point Method
This method makes use of the polyols cloud point properties. A filtrate sample is collected in a
graduated cylinder and placed on a heating element. The temperature is raised until the filtrate
“clouds out”. At this point, there will be a phase separation and the polyol will form a discrete
liquid on top of the filtrate. If phase separation does not occur, then the salinity of the filtrate can
be raised by adding KCl or salt. The approximate concentration of polyol can be expressed as a
percentage of the total fluid phase. It must be stressed that this is an approximate guide only.
Logistics
In order to minimize the amount of material transported to the rig, the fluid can be shipped as a
concentrated bulk liquid. This method has been used on numerous wells to date. Typically 3.5 to
4 lbm/bbl MIL-PAC polymer and 5% to 5.5% AQUA-COL are mixed into 60 lbm/bbl KCl brine.
Concentrations of AQUA-COL and polymer are such that when the brine is cut back with drillwater,
all products are at the desired concentration.
Only small amounts of sacked products are shipped to the rig for maintenance and contingency.
Higher concentrations of products in the premix are not possible due to the glycol clouding out in
the fluid plant at ambient temperatures. The inhibitive nature of the AQUA-COL fluid results in
end of section fluid properties being similar to starting properties. The fluid is therefore ideal for
re-use, either on the next interval or similar interval on another well. The re-use of the fluid has
significantly reduced costs and minimized the amount discharged into the sea.
Whole Fluid (Mud) Discharge
Minimal dilution requirements reduce surface losses therefore little whole fluid is dumped. The
use of AQUA-DRILL has dramatically reduced the amount of chemical discharged into the sea.
On a recent Central Graben 17½" section, surface losses were 1230 bbls (0.29 bbls/ft). The only
whole fluid lost was associated with the cuttings and dumping of the header box.
Tripping Procedures
Using the AQUA-DRILL system yields a gauge or very close to gauge hole. Therefore, it is
important to ensure that the hole is circulated clean prior to trips. A tight hole can be experienced
Baker Hughes Drilling Fluids
Reference Manual
Revised 2006 3-81