Optimised Solids Control in Arctic Environments

Abstract

A significant cost issue is related to solids control ant the affiliated waste production during drilling. This cost issue includes the reduced drilling efficiency due to poor solids control when the drilling fluid temperature is low. The primary solids control device is the shale shakers. The preferred shakers have two or three decks that all separate particles from the drilling fluid. Especially when the temperature is low, the flow through the screens on these shakers is limited leading to a large discharge of drilling fluid along with the drilled cuttings. To increase the efficiency of the shakers a new header box is developed that change the direction of the drilling fluid entering the shakers top deck. On several North Sea operations this device has successfully been used to divert the flow onto the entire top deck screen. This made it possible to run the equipment with finer screens than usual; leading to operating with cleaner drilling fluids than usual and thereby faster drilling rate at the same time as the occupational hygiene in the shaker room was significantly improved. The paper describes in detail how the shakers were modified with the header box and how the shakers were run to optimise drilling performance even when the drilling fluid was cold.

Solid Control System for Maximizing Drilling

“…This brings to the changes in its density, rheology and other properties. The utmost advantage is to remove as much solids practically to reduce down time which contributed from plug flow lines, fluid end repair, drill string erosion and re-drilling of solids as drilling fluid recycles itself through the mud system loop [1].…”

“…Rheological and filtration properties become difficult to control when the concentration of drilled solid become excessive [1]. High particulate solids in the mud reduce ROP because of increase in mud density and viscosity.…”

“…The effective performance of solid control equipment is to remove drilled solids from the drilling mud which acts as a key factor to have good mud properties [1]. Solid and particles that are not removed during the circulation will remain in the system and lead to reduction of size that may increase the difficulty on removing process using mechanical solid control equipment (SCE).…”