BAKER HUGHES - Drilling Fluids Reference Manual

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
controlled environmental conditions and duration. Bioassay tests of drilling fluids are required by
governmental agencies throughout the world prior to discharge of mud or cuttings. The organisms
used in bioassays are those found in the area that would be most affected by contact with the
proposed drilling fluid. The dosage of interest is typically the lethal concentration, known as LC 50
that will kill 50% of the population of organisms in a given period of time.
Bicarb - See Sodium Bicarbonate.
Blooie Line - Flow line for air or gas drilling.
Blowout - An uncontrolled escape of drilling fluid, gas, oil, or water from the well caused by the
formation pressure being greater than the hydrostatic head of the fluid in the annulus. A blowout
may consist of salt water, oil, gas, or a mixture of these. If reservoir fluids flow into another
formation and do not flow to the surface, the result is called an underground blowout.
Boiler house - To falsify a report with fictitious data.
Brackish Water - Water containing low concentrations of chloride regardless of the type soluble
salt.
Break Circulation - To initiate movement of the drilling fluid after it has been quiescent in the hole.
Breakout - A separation of the drilling fluid with a visible layer of liquid on the surface. This is
applicable in both invert and water based fluids.
Bridge - An obstruction in a well formed by intrusion of subsurface formations.
Brine - Water saturated with or containing a high concentration of common salt (sodium chloride);
hence, any strong saline solution containing such other salts as calcium chloride, zinc chloride,
calcium nitrate, etc.
Bromine Value - The number of centigrams of bromine which are absorbed by 1 gram of oil under
certain conditions. This is a test for the degree of saturation of a given oil.
Brownian Movement - Continuous, irregular motion exhibited by particles suspended in a liquid or
gaseous medium, usually as a colloidal dispersion.
BS or BS & W - Basic sediment, or basic sediment and water. A reference to undesirable sediments
or water incorporated in produced fluids.
BAKER HUGHES DRILLING FLUIDS
REFERENCE MANUAL
REVISION 2006 15-7