Solid Control System for Maximizing Drilling

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the development of solid control system that is suited for drilling 12.25-inch hole. The first part discusses the performance of rate of penetration (ROP), equivalent circulating density (ECD) and drill string drag while the second part of the chapter discusses about the effect of solid control system performance to mud properties plastic viscosity (PV), yield point (YP), and low gravity solid (LGS). The input parameters were gathered from two different set up of solid control systems that were used in Well A and Well B. The result is mainly based on the performance of original solid control sys- tem new design vs. old design. Installation of distributor tank and channeling the mud to respective shale shakers significantly enhanced the system and operational perfor- mance. The ROP at 12.25-inch drilling was improved by 20%. New design, on an average, improved the ECD margin by reducing additional pressure exerted using original mud from 4.9 to 2.9%. High ECD margin is not recommended because it can break the weak formation. Mud properties while drilling the 12.25-inch hole section; PV, YP and LGS values were improved by 14, 17, and 25% respectively.