11 JULY 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Technological Advances by Ronald B. Peterson Drilling Products Specialist, Mountainland Supply Company Technological advances are not always phenomenal or mind-blowing, sometimes they are subtle and simple changes in the way we do things. They can also give a better understanding of products and processes to help achieve better results. The drilling industry, specifically drilling fluids, has always focused on the proper order of addition: (1) Good quality water, (2) Soda ash to adjust ph and remove calcium, (3) Bentonite - properly sheared, (4) Polymers - dry products first and then liquids - again properly sheared, (5) Surfactants, and other specialty products, last with adequate but minimal mixing. This was due to the functions and properties of each additive. Bentonites and polymers are hard to mix and require adequate shear or extended time to fully yield. Polymers are typically selected to keep additional solids, which include any dry additives, from being dissolved into the drilling fluid. You could add bentonite and dry polymers to the system, but it requires aggressive shearing and adequate time to yield, which slows down the drilling operation. Excessive shearing also tends to break down the PHPAs (long chain polymers) and reduces their effectiveness. Drilling contractors are the mothers of invention. They have taught me through the years that there are two words you should never use in the drilling industry - always and never. If you use those words in the drilling industry, you will at some point find you were incorrect. Drilling fluid companies have come out with blended dry products in a single bag. They have done this to help ensure products are added in the proper concentration initially. We must remember, drilling fluid additives are used up during the drilling process. To compensate for the depletion of drilling fluid additives, you must add more product. With a single-sack product, this will maintain the level of the used-up product, but it may also increase the concentration of products which are not used up as aggressively. Blended products take the focus off the order of addition; but make sure you have an adequate mixing system to ensure full and complete yield. Mixers and mixing systems have improved over the years, providing more aggressive shear, which speeds up the mixing process and improves the drilling operations. New products are almost always more expensive than the old standard products. Be careful and evaluate your options to make sure the improved results more than offset the higher price and effectively improve your drilling operations and profitability. Get with your provider of products and equipment and make sure you are aware of what is new and may improve your operations. Try it; maybe it will help you avoid being stuck in a rut and you can enjoy the benefits of new products and methods. Always remember, “A man has to know his limitations,” but he doesn’t have to be defined by them. He can raise the bar. Working together, it is amazing where we can go. Enjoy the trip. If you have any questions on drilling fluids or if you have another topic you would like addressed, please remember this column is ours. Help me make it of value to you. It needs to be an interactive tool. I need your feedback. Please send your suggestions to Michele (below) and she will get them to me. Ron Ron Peterson may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com WTR 2023 JUBILEE Booth 403 & 405
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