Preparing Drilling Fluid
Drilling fluid is an important component in the drilling process. There are several types of drilling fluids used depending on the drilling conditions encountered:
- Water-based muds are used most frequently. The base may be either salt or fresh water.
- Oil-based muds.
The Mud Pit
- Synthetic materials- The oil and gas extraction industry has developed many new oleaginous (oil-like) base materials from which to formulate high-performance drilling fluids.
- Air and form fluids may be used in drilling wells. These fluids are less dense than drilling muds.
Drilling fluid is required in the wellbore to:
- cool and lubricate the drill bit
- remove the rock fragments, or drill cuttings, from the drilling area and transport them to the surface
- counterbalance formation pressure to prevent formation fluids (i.e. oil, gas, and water) from entering the well prematurely (which can lead to a blowout)
- prevent the open (uncased) wellbore from caving in
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-4. Which type of drilling fluid is most frequently used in the drilling process?
You forgot to answer the question!