Drilled Solids Control Theory

Drilling fluid is classified as water base utilizing water as the liquid phase. The solid phase of any drilling fluid is either commercial solids or drilled solids. Most commercial solids such as bentonite have a relative particle size of less than one micron(0.000039 inches). Drilled solids are those particles that enter the mud system in the form of cuttings from the bit or back reamer or from borehole debris. These solids vary in size from less than one micron & larger depending on the carrying capabilities of the drilling fluid. Note that spindle speed and the amount of push or pull force require to drill play an important factor on the particle size of the cuttings.

OGEM can produce a complete solid control system

One of the most important objectives in solids control is to remove as many of the large particles as is practical the first time that these solids are pumped out of the borehole. This requires properly designed and installed solids removal mechanical treating equipment sized to process a minimum of 100% up to 125% of the mud circulation rate. Solids that are not removed during the first circulation through the surface equipment are subjected to mechanical degradation by the drill bit, reamers and mud pumps during each circulation cycle until they are too fine for removal by mechanical means. In order to evaluate the removal capabilities of the various pieces of mechanical treating equipment, it is necessary to consider the source of the solids and classify them according to the following sizes:
440 microns or larger – large drilled solids (*cuttings)
74 to 440 microns – sand
2 to 74 microns – silt
0.5 to 2 microns – clay
0.5 microns & smaller – colloids
Note: ( .001 inches = 25.4 microns so 1″ = 25,400 microns )
Benefits of Low Solids In Drilling Mud
1. Increased drilling penetration.
2. Increase bit or back reamer life.
3. Reduce mud cost.
4. Reduce triplex mud pump, mud motor & surface equipment maintenance cost.
5. Reduced clean up & haul off or disposal cost
These benefits are the result of planning prior to boring and are accomplished through the use of properly designed, sized and operated solids removal equipment. It is the responsibility of the boring crew to become knowledgeable in the proper use of the equipment; otherwise the potential benefits may be reduced or nullified.
Methods of Controlling Solids:
1. Mechanical treatment.
2. Chemical treatment.
3. Dilution of mud with water.
4. Discard mud & mix new mud.
All of the above with the exception of Mechanical treatment in most cases are cost prohibitive
Mechanical Treatment
This is the method of mechanically removing solids using shale shakers or hydrocyclone devices such as desanders and desilters. Each piece of equipment is generally limited to the following range of particle removal:
1. Standard shale shaker – 440 micron or larger (also referred to as the scalping shaker).
2. Fine screen shaker – 74 microns or larger.
3. Desanders – 100 microns & larger.
4. Desilters – 15 micron & larger

OGEM desilter is used as the 3rd stage of solid control for drilling mud.

Correctly implemented, each piece of mechanical equipment is effective within a certain particle size range. Utilizing all or a combination of the above equipment throughout your boring program will produce maximum benefits and result in a cost effective means of controlling your solids within an affordable budget.
Mechanical Separation Basics
Mechanical separation equipment employs mass differences, size differences or a combination of both to selectively reject undesirable solids and retain desirable drilling fluid. The desanders and desilters utilize centrifuge force and mass difference between the solids density and liquid density for solids removal. The shale shakers employ a vibrating screen of various micron-sized differences. A standard rig shaker or fine screen shaker is vital to the solids control and should process 100% of the mud returning from the starting pit before allowing this mud to be processed by any of the down stream equipment you may utilize in your solids control system. Located directly down stream from the shale shaker will be one of the hydrocyclone devices:
1. Desander
2. Desilter
These should be sized to process at least 125% of the rig circulation rate while discarding undesirable cuttings & solids down to the 50 micron size range. The desander removes the majority of the solids down to the 100micron size range and prevents the desilter from being over loaded. The desilter removes the majority of the solids down to the 15micron range.

OGEM solids control is main professional manufacturer of solids control system in China, OGEM  is a vital part of the world hydrocarbon exploration and production industry, as well as one of top three solids control equipment suppliers in China, which offers its products for CNPC, CNOOC ,HH, Gazprom, RG, etc . If you want to know more information about solids control system and oil drilling solids control equipment  shale shaker,you can contact us online.

Tangshan Aojie Petroleum Machinery Equipment Make Co., Ltd (Short for: 

OGEM Solids Control)

Address: NO.2 Jingxi Road,Lunan District,Tangshan city,Hebei 

province,China

Tel: 86-315-8676484

Fax: 86-315-2648099

Zip Code: 063000

Email: ogem2@ogemsolidscontrol.com

Website: http://www.ogemsolidscontrol.com/

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