ABSTARCT

Density is a measurement of fluid weight per unit of volume. For drilling fluid
(drilling mud) it is often referred to as “mud weight”. The mud densities are usually reported
to the nearest 0.1 lbs/gal or “ppg”. Mud density is monitored closely to fulfill the dual role of
opposing formation pressures while avoiding excessive lost returns to the formation. In this
experiment, we use two types of equipment to determine the drilling fluid density, the mud
balance and the hydrometer. We also use two type of drilling mud which is oil-base mud and
water-base mud. The densities of the both mud are determined by using the mud balance and
the hydrometer. For water based mud, the average reading of density by using hydrometer is
1.282 kg/m3 while by using mud balance the reading is 1.215 kg/m3. Besides that, the average
reading of density for oil based mud by using hydrometer is 1.219 kg/m3 while by using mud
balance the average reading of mud density is 1.120 kg/m3. This results show that mud
balance gives lower value of average reading of density rather than hydrometer for both oil
based mud and water based mud.We take the reading for three times and calculate the
average.

INTRODUCTION

This experiment was created to determine the density of two different type of drilling fluid
sample. In geotechnical engineering, drilling fluid is used to aid the drilling of boreholes into
the earth. Often used while drilling oil and natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs
.Liquid drilling fluid is often called drilling mud. The three main categories of drilling fluids
are water-based muds , oil-based mud, and synthetic mud .

In this experiment however, we used oil-based mud and water-based mud only.It is already
provided by lab assistant at the laboratory . There are many uses of drilling mud. The main
function is to provide hydrostatic pressure to prevent formation fluids from entering into the
wellbore and also to ensure the drill bit is cool and clean during drilling. Densities of specific
mud is measured to know which mud is best used for specific well bore.

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 OBJECTIVE

To determine the density of different sample of drilling mud

THEORY

The definition of density is a measurement of fluid weight per unit of volume. For
drilling fluid (drilling mud) it is often referred to as “mud weight”. For your information, In
the oil industry, mud weight is the density of the drilling fluid and is normally measured in
pounds per gallon (lbm/gal) or (ppg). In the field it is measured using a mud balance.It is
usually reported to the nearest 0.1 lbs/gal or “ppg”. To avoiding excessive lost returns to the
formation, the mud density is monitored closely. It is also to fullfill the dual role of opposing
formation pressures. It must optimizing fluid design for drilling through highly fractured
formations from an operational perspective .

The most important equipment that we going to use to determine the densities of
drilling mud are hydrometer and mud balance. A hydrometer is created to measure the
specific gravity (SG) of liquids which is, the ratio of the density of the liquid to the density.
For your extra knowledge, the result of determination of drilling mud density might be more
accurate by using a hydrometer compared to mud balance. Directly measurement of the mud
density is provided by using mud balance. The common units for the mud densities given by
the mud balance are lbs/ft3, psi/1000ft and Specific Gravity (SG).

APPARATUS

Mud samples (oil and water base mud), Fan Mud Balance, hydrometer and measuring
cylinder.

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 PROCEDURE

Fan mud balance:

Calibration:

1. Filled the cup with water.

2. Placed the lid on the cup and seat it firmly. Be sure some mud runs out of the hole in
the cap.
3. With the hole in the cap covered with a finger, all the water from the outside of the
cup and arm are washed or wiped.
4. Set the knife edge into the fulcrum and move the rider along the graduated arm until
the cup and arm are balanced.
5. Read the density of the mud at the left-hand edge of the sliding weight.
6. Report the results to the nearest scale division in lb./gal.; lb./cu. ft.; S.G. (specific
gravity); or psi/1000 ft. of depth.
7. Wash the mud from the cup immediately after each use. It is absolutely essential that
all parts of the mud balance be kept clean if accurate results are to be obtained.

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Test procedure:

1. The lid from the mud cup is removed and filled with the mud sample.
2. Placed the lid on the cup and seat it firmly. Be sure some mud runs out of the hole in
the cap.
3. The mud from the outside of the mud cup is washed or wiped.
4. Placed the balance arm on the base, with the knife-edge resting on the fulcrum.
5. Moved the rider until the graduated arm is level, as indicated by the level vial on the
beam.
6. At the left-hand edge of the rider, read the density on either side of the lever in all
desired units without disturbing the rider.
7. Noted down the mud temperature corresponding to density.

Hydrometer:

1. Used the same mud sample as used in the mud balance experiment.
2. Filled the hydrometer cylinder (graduated cylinder) with the drilling mud to within 1
to 2 inches of the top by pouring the sample slowly down the side of the cylinder.
3. Chose the correct hydrometer for measuring specific gravity, SG of the drilling fluid.
4. Inspected the hydrometer to ensure that it is clean and dry.
5. Placed the hydrometer carefully in the cylinder, allowing it to gently settle to the
proper measurement level.
6. Spin the hydrometer and record the reading at which the hydrometer rests.
7. Record the reading and compared with the reading obtained from mud balance
experiment.

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 RESULTS

Water based mud

Hydrometer (kg/m3) Mud balance (kg/m3)

1 1.282 1.215
2 1.282 1.215
3 1.282 1.215
Average 1.282 1.215

Oil based mud

Hydrometer (kg/m3) Mud balance (kg/m3)

1 1.219 1.12
2 1.219 1.12
3 1.218 1.12
Average 1.219 1.12

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 CALCULATION

Oil-based mud

Using mud balance,

Mud weight = 1.12 kg/m3

 1 ppg = 7.48 lb/ft3

𝑘𝑔 0.3048 𝑚 2.2046 𝑙𝑏
1.12 ×( )³ × = 0.0699 lb/ft3
𝑚³ 1 𝑓𝑡 1 𝑘𝑔
lb 1 ppg
0.0699 × = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟗𝟑𝟒𝟓 𝐩𝐩𝐠
ft 3 7.48 lb
ft 3

 1 ppg = 0.12 SG

1 ppg
1.12 SG × = 𝟗. 𝟑𝟑 𝐩𝐩𝐠
0.12 SG

Using hydrometer,

1 ppg = 0.12 SG

1 ppg
1.219 SG × = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟏𝟔 𝐩𝐩𝐠
0.12 SG

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Water-based mud

Using mud balance,

Mud weight = 10.60 ppg

1 ppg = 7.48 lb/ft3

𝑘𝑔 0.3048 𝑚 1 𝑙𝑏
1.215
𝑚³
×(
1 𝑓𝑡
)³ × 0.454 𝑘𝑔 = 0.07585 lb/ft3

lb 1 ppg
0.07585 × = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟒 𝐩𝐩𝐠
ft 3 7.48 lb
ft 3

 1 ppg = 0.12 SG

1 ppg
1.215 SG × = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟓 𝐩𝐩𝐠
0.12 SG

Using hydrometer,

1 ppg = 0.12 SG

1 ppg
1.282 SG × = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟔𝟖𝟑 𝐩𝐩𝐠
0.12 SG

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 DISCUSSION

In geotechnical engineering, drilling fluid is used to aid the drilling of boreholes into
the earth. Often used while drilling oil and natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs,
drilling fluids are also used for much simpler boreholes, such as water wells. Liquid drilling
fluid is often called drilling mud. The three main categories of drilling fluids are water-based
muds, non-aqueous muds, usually called oil-based mud, and gaseous drilling fluid, in which a
wide range of gases can be used.
The main functions of drilling fluids include providing hydrostatic pressure to
prevent formation fluids from entering into the well bore, keeping the drill bit cool and clean
during drilling, carrying out drill cuttings, and suspending the drill cuttings while drilling is
paused and when the drilling assembly is brought in and out of the hole. The drilling fluid
used for a particular job is selected to avoid formation damage and to limit corrosion.
In this experiment, the objective is to measure the density of drilling mud fluid.
Density is a measurement of fluid weight per unit volume. For drilling fluid, it is often
referred as mud weight. Usually, mud density is monitor closely to fulfill the dual role of
opposing formation pressure while avoiding excessive lost returns to the formation. The
drilling mud fluid that been provided by the lab assistant are water based mud and oil based
mud. The most basic water based mud system begin with water, clay and other chemicals are
incorperated into the water to mixed completely until become like chocolate milk. Another
types of drilling fluid is oil based mud, where the base fluid is a petroleum product such as
diesel fluid, kerosene, selecting oil from crude oil. This oil based mud can withstand heat
without breaking down.

To measure the drilling fluid densities, we used two different types of equipment
which are hydrometer and mud balances. A hydrometer is an instrument used for determining
the specific gravity of liquids. It is usually made of glass and consists of a cylindrical stem
and a bulb weighted with mercury or shot to make it float upright. The liquid is poured into a
measuring cylinder, and the hydrometer is gently lowered into the liquid until it floats freely.
The point where the surface of the liquid touches the stem of the hydrometer is noted.
Hydrometers usually contain a paper scale inside the stem, so that the specific gravity (or
density relative to water) can be read directly in kilograms per cubic meter.

Next, a mud balance, also known as a mud scale is a device used to measure the
density (weight) of drilling fluid, cement or any type of liquid or slurry. It consists of a
graduated beam with a bubble level and a weight slider along its length and a cup with a lid
on one end. The cup is used to hold a fixed amount of fluid so it can be weighed. A slider-
weight can be moved along the beam, and a bubble indicates when the beam is level. Density
is read at the point where the slider-weight sits on the beam at level.

For water based mud, the average reading of density by using hydrometer is 1.282
kg/m while by using mud balance the reading is 1.215 kg/m3. Besides that, the average
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reading of density for oil based mud by using hydrometer is 1.219 kg/m3 while by using mud
balance the average reading of mud density is 1.120 kg/m3. This results show that mud
balance gives lower value of average reading of density rather than hydrometer for both oil
based mud and water based mud.

By comparing using this two equipments, mud balance which is much easier to use,
also give more accurate values of densities. In addition, mud balance can directly gives the
measurement of mud density.

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 CONCLUSION

As conclusion, the average reading of water based mud and oil based mud by using
hydrometer are 1.282 kg/m3 and 1.219 kg/m3 respectively. Then, the average reading of water
based mud and oil based mud by using mud balance are 1.215 kg/m3 and 1.120 kg/m3
respectively. It is proven that water based mud has higher density than oil based mud. Based
on the theoretical density range of water based mud is 1.0 kg/m3 to 2.4 kg/m3, and for oil
based mud is 0.83 kg/m3 to 0.84 kg/m3. There is slightly different in density reading due to
some errors while conducting this experiment. While taking reading from the mud balance,
eyes does not so perpendicular to the scale of the reading. So make sure while the reading,
eyes must be perpendicular to the scale. When taking the test by using hydrometer to
determine the density of the mud, each different type of hydrometer is tested until the ideal
hydrometer is determined.

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 RECOMMENDATION

1. Wipe the cup cleanly to have the accurate specific gravity.

2. The cup must be clean and dry to have the accurate specific gravity.
3. The water based mud should be stirred by using the mixer to prevent the precipitation
inside it.
4. Use suitable size of measuring cylinder to make sure that the hydrometer will have the
ability to float and sink inside the mud
5. Take the average reading as the result to avoid error.
6. Pressurized mud balance is recommended in order to get the best measurement of mud
density.
7. The pressurized mud balance looks like the convention one, but it has a pressurized
sample cup. When you press mud sample in the cup, any gas in fluid phase is compressed
to very small volume so the mud weight measurement is more accurate.

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 REFERENCES

1. Drilling Engineering Laboratory Manual; Oil and Gas Engineering Laboratory 2

(CGE 557)
2. Drilling Engineering; J.J. Azar, G. Robello Samuel; PennWell Corporation.
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drilling_fluid
4. http://www.drilling-mud.org/mud-weight-or-mud-density/
5. http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Display.cfm?Term=mud%20weight
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrometer
7. http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Display.cfm?Term=mud%20balance
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_balance

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 APPENDICES

Water-based mud Oil-based mud

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