11 SEPTEMBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Mud (Drilling Fluid) Mixing by Ronald B. Peterson Drilling Products Specialist, Mountainland Supply Company Robert Brown with Brown Service wrote: “Hello, I am new to the directional drilling industry. Can you tell me what signs to look for to know the bentonite is fully yielded? Also, I like to use dry polymers; however, we have trouble getting them into the drilling fluid mixture. Do you have any suggestions to get the dry polymers into the drilling fluid mix? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me. I thoroughly enjoy your articles and find them very informative.” Bob, Thank you for your question. The short and dirty answer is, run your hand through the fluid. You will have a light film of drilling fluid on your hand. Look to see if there are any little beads of material in the film of mud; they will look like small beads like you find in tapioca. These are small beads of unyielded product. If you press on them, you may find there is dry material in the center. When the fluid is completely mixed, there will only be a thin film of mud on your hand and no beads. The long answer is, “It depends.” Some things to always remember regarding drilling fluids are: 2 Make sure you have an adequate mixing system. 2 Make sure you have good makeup water. 2 Test the pH and calcium of the makeup water and adjust with soda ash if needed. The ideal calcium level is below 200 ppm (parts per million) calcium and an ideal pH of 8.5 to 9.5. You can usually achieve it with ½ to 1 pound of soda ash per 100 gallons of water. 2 Make sure you have the correct bentonite product for your project and it is thoroughly mixed - no beads - before adding any polymer. 2 Make sure you have the correct polymer for your project. Always mix dry polymers first, then liquids; and always mix PAC (polyanionic cellulose) polymers before PHPAs (partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide). Make sure each is thoroughly mixed before adding the next polymer (again - no beads). I will follow up with detailed articles on drilling fluid product selection and mixing. The investment in your own knowledge and the knowledge of your personnel will pay off. Greater knowledge of job requirements and the safest, best way to achieve them will result in better performance at all levels. Always cultivate and stress a culture of safety in the workplace. There are many innovations in safety. We have come a long way. 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 journey. If you have any questions on drilling fluids or if you have another topic you would like to have addressed, please remember this column is ours. Your feedback helps me make it of value to you. It needs to be an interactive tool. 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 DIR
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