BAKER HUGHES - Drilling Fluids Reference Manual

Water Based Drilling Fluids
If mixing mud system with sacked NaCl, add calculated amount of fresh water to mixing
tank.
6. Add the recommended concentrations of products in the following order:
• XAN-PLEX D
• NEW-DRILL
• MIL-PAC LV
• MAX-SHIELD
• MAX-GUARD
• NaCl – continue shearing until salt is dissolved
• Weighting agent
• Adjust pH to 10.0 – 10.5 with caustic soda
If using saturated NaCl brine follow above directions to Step #5, then:
7. Add sufficient fresh water to pre-hydrate XAN-PLEX D, NEW-DRILL PLUS, MIL-PAC,
and MAX-SHIELD. Allow chemicals to fully hydrate and solubilize.
8. Add calculated amount of saturated NaCl brine. Check brine for Total Hardness and
treat as necessary to reduce hardness
9. Add NaCl to return salt concentration to 20% by wt.
10. Add MIL-BAR or other weighting agent.
11. Adjust pH to 10.0 – 10.5 with caustic soda
Note: Do not add MAX-PLEX at the mud plant because it will deplete during transport.
MAX-PLEX should be added in pre-hydrated form prior to or during the
displacement.
To prevent “fish eyes”, avoid rapid mixing of polymers unless a high-quality shear device is
used. The mud should be blended in the mix tank until homogenous.
If mud tests are required by the operator, take samples and add MAX-PLEX before testing.
Premix Recommendations
The use of pre-mix is recommended to assure solubility and hydration of polymer and other
water-soluble components. Below are recommendations for pre-mixes with the PERFORMAX
System.
• In seawater or high-salt systems, MAX-PLEX should be added to the active system as a premix
at a concentration of 100 lbm/bbl.
• MAX-PLEX can be added directly to the mud system ONLY when using freshwater (low
chlorides & hardness) as the makeup water.
Reference Manual
Baker Hughes Drilling Fluids
3-96 Revised 2006