Drilling Fluid Engineering Rheological Proporties-M900

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Koya University
Faculty of Engineering
Petroleum Engineering Department
Third stage
Drilling Lab.
Lab No.: 7
Rheological Properties Using
Model 900 Viscometer
Prepared by : Sarwar Salam
Group: B
Date of Experiment:- Feb.18th 2016
Submitting Date: Apr. 06th
2016
Supervised by: Mr. Pshtiwan –Mr. Mohammed
2015-2016

2. Drilling Lab. M900 viscometer
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The aim of this particular experiment is to measure the drilling fluid
(or cements) rheological properties such as Plastic Viscosity, Yeild
Point, and Cement Rheologise. Using of the Model 900 Viscometer
instead of the tradition method.

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Water based drilling fluid is developed using betonies, guar gum, poly
anionic cellulose PAC and gum Arabic. The rheological behaviour
and the filtration loss property of each drilling fluid developed is
measured using API recommended standard procedures.
The developed drilling fluid combinations are hot rolled using Hot Air
Rolling Oven and Aging Cells for 16 hours to study temperature
stability of the drilling fluid additives.
We observed that the developed drilling fluid system has rheological
properties where fluid loss control is required for minimum
performance in oil well drilling.
We also noticed that Guar gum shows the highest gel strength and the
most stable rheological properties with very bad filtration loss
property while gum arabic had unstable rheological properties with
stable gel strength and good filtration loss property.
These results show that water based drilling fluid can be used as a
Replacement for other additives as it is readily available in
commercial quantity in the northern part of
Nigeria.

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The OFITE Model 900 Viscometer is a true Couette coaxial cylinder
rotational viscometer, which employs a transducer to measure the
induced angle of rotation of the bob by a fluid sample.
For a fully automated Control/Data Acquisition System suitable for
research applications, the Model 900 Viscometer may be connected to
a computer via a serial (RS-232) port using OFITE’s exclusive and
field-proven Windows™- based ORCADA™ software.
The Model 900 Viscometer is a portable, yet fully automated system
for measuring fluid viscosity.
It is designed to be easy to use, easy to maintain and to provide
consistent results. Its simplicity makes it ideally suited for field
applications. Engineers will appreciate the push button calibration, its
reliability, and the ability to perform standard American Petroleum
Institute (API) recommended practices with one command.
With the addition of a computer, it is able to perform a variety of more
complex laboratory tests. Routine repairs, like bearing and torsion
spring replacement, may be performed by field personnel with a
minimum of training, without having to return the viscometer for
repair.
The optional *KlikLock™ bob uses a magnetic coupling to make
removal quick and easy

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Some specification and features about Model 900 Viscometer:
-Model 900 Viscometer is a true Couette coaxial cylinder rotational
viscometer
-Run multiple units on one computer
-Push button calibration history and graphs available for improved
analysis (with ORCADA software)
-Stepper motor technology insures accuracy of shear rates
-Single button operations on the keypad
-Routine repairs are easily performed
-Has the ability to operate accurately at extremely low shear rates
(0.006 RPM)
-Not necessary to stop the motor between speed changes-
-Optional KlikLock™ Bob (Patent Number 8,763,776) uses a
magnetic coupling to make removal quick and easy.
(Figure 1)
(M900 viscometer)
(OFFITE, 2012)

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* Motor Speeds (RPM): 12 Fixed Speeds (600, 300, 200, 100, 60, 30,
20,10, 6, 3, 2, and 1); Variable speed range .006 – 1000
* Speed Accuracy (RPM): .001
* Shear Rate Range (sec-1): .01 - 1,700
* Heat Cup: Stainless Steel, 150 Watts, Maximum Recommended
Temp: 190°F (88°C)
* Power Requirements: 97 - 250 Volts AC, 200 Watts, 50/60 Hz
*Dimensions: 17.3" × 15" × 9.4" (44 × 38 × 24 cm)
* Weight: 18.9 lb (8.6 kg)
* Shipping Dimensions: 22" × 15" × 9.4" (56 × 38 × 24 cm)
* Shipping Weight: 35.3 lb (16 kg)
* Computer Requirements: DB-9 Serial Port, Windows 2000 or
newer. Recommended screen resolution 1024 × 768 pixels

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1. Double-click the “ORCADA” icon on the desktop.
2. The first time you run the software, you will be asked to select a hardware
configuration. Select the appropriate device and click “OK”. You will now see
the Main Screen.
3. The Windows XP firewall may try to block the ORCADA software from
communicating with the viscometer. If the firewall shows the following alert,
select “Unblock”.
(Figure 2) (ORCADA window) (D.E. Lab. Manual, 204)
Start Test”: This button starts a test in Auto Mode. Once a test is
started, this button becomes the “Abort Test” button. Click here to
stop the test.
“Cement”: This button performs the same function as the “CEM”
button on the unit’s keypad.
“Mud”: This button performs the same function as the “MUD” button
on the unit’s keypad.
The “Mud” and “Cement” buttons perform standard tests based on
API specifications. These tests ignore the “Dead Time” and “DAQ
Time” settings on the Options screen. Temperature control, which is
disabled during custom Auto-Mode tests, is available during a “Mud”
or “Cement” test.

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The calibration procedure is easily performed by pressing the CAL button and
following the instructions as you are prompted on the unit’s display screen.
Calibrations should be routinely performed prior to rheological testing and are
necessary after changing out bearings or the torsion spring. For the most
accurate calibration results, calibrate the thermocouple before performing the
following procedure.
1. Press the “CAL” button, the viscometer will display the “Zero Offset”. This shows how
much the bob has drifted since the last calibration. If this value is greater than ±1, make
sure the bob is properly installed on the unit and that it spins freely. Then rotate the bob by
hand and let it go. If the Zero Offset is still greater than ±1, continue with the calibration.
This will reset the Zero Offset. After verifying the offset, confirm that the P value is within
the specified range.
2. When prompted, enter the viscosity of the calibration fluid.
3. Add approximately 170 mL calibration fluid into the clean and dry stainless steel
sample cup. Place the sample cup with calibration fluid onto the platform. Loosen the lock
nut on the platform with the stainless steel arm until the fluid level reaches the scribed line
on the rotor. Tighten the lock nut on the platform.
4. Allow a couple of minutes for the temperature of the calibration fluid to equalize.
5. Find the calibration sheet attached to the calibration fluid you are using. Record the
viscosity at the temperature being read on the unit.
6. Enter the actual viscosity (listed on the calibration sheet) of the calibration fluid (must
be <= 300 cP if the standard B1 Bob, R1 Rotor and F1 Torsion Spring are used) using the
left side of the keypad. Press ENTER.
7. The machine will perform the calibration internally in a series of sweeps, and return to
the main screen.
8. Turn the unit OFF.
9. Loosen the lock nut on the platform while holding the bottom of the platform with your
other hand. Slowly lower the platform with the sample cup and calibration
fluid. Allow the stainless steel cup to remain beneath the bob and rotor to allow residual
calibration fluid to drain.
10. Pour the calibration fluid from the sample cup back into the 16 oz. (500 mL) container.
11. Remove the rotor. Wipe any residual calibration fluid off the rotor and the bob with
either a paper towel or a soft cloth. Wipe the sample cup dry with a paper towel.

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The ORCADA™ software has two modes for running tests: Auto and Manual. By default,
the software is in Manual mode when first opened.
To Perform a test in Manual mode:
1. Add approximately 170 mL of test fluid to the clean and dry stainless steel
sample cup.
2. Enter the raw file save period (in MM:SS, where MM is the two digit
number of minutest and SS is the two digit number of seconds) and select the
shear stress units from the drop-down menu.
3. Enter a temperature in the “Temp” field and choose Celsius or Fahrenheit.
4. Select the “Enable” checkbox next to the “Rotation” field to start the motor.
Once the motor is started, the display fields on the right-hand side of the screen
will begin displaying test data.
5. Select the “Enable” checkbox next to the “Temp” field to start the heater.
The “Preheat” and “Cool” options are used for pressurized viscometers only.
6. Enter a name in the “Experiment Name” field and click the “Start Logging”
button.
7. Enter a comment in the resulting dialog box. Comments are optional, but can
be used later to identify the test results.
To perform thtest in Auto mode:
1. Add approximately 170 mL of test fluid to the clean and dry stainless steel
sample cup.
2. Enter the raw file save period (in MM:SS) and select the shear stress units
from the drop-down menu.
3. Highlight a test to run from the list in the upper left-hand corner of the Main
Screen. Refer to page 36 for instructions on creating custom tests.
4. Enter a name in the “Experiment Name” field.
5. Click the “Start Test” button.
6. Enter a comment in the resulting dialog box. Comments are optional, but can
be used later to identify the test results.

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1. What are the impacts of the rheological properties on
the material used in industries?
>> Rheological properties impact at all stages of material use
across multiple industries – from formulation development and
stability to processing and product performance. The type of
Rheometer required for measuring these properties is often
dependent on the relevant shear rates and timescales as well as
sample size and viscosity. Examples of rheological measurements
include:
 Viscosity profiling for non-Newtonian shear-dependent behaviour to
simulate processing or in-use conditions.
 Viscoelastic fingerprinting for material classification to determine
extent of solid-like or liquid-like behaviour.
 Optimising and assessing dispersion stability.
 Determination of thixotropic of paints and coatings for product
application and final finishes quality.
 Impact of molecular architecture of polymers on viscoelasticity for
processing and end-use performance.
 Benchmarking Food and Personal Care products for ability to pump or
spread.
 Full cure profiling for bonding or gelling systems.
 Pre-formulation screening for therapeutics, particularly
biopharmaceuticals.

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
2. What are the advantages of the M900 test apparatus?
And what differs it from the old test device?
>> The main advantages of the test device are, easy to handle, much
more accurate than tradition device, easy to operate, can be used even
for cement, takes less time and safer as well.
Which all these above points either not exist in the tradition device or
may be exist but in lesser degree.
3. What are the properties that M900 test apparatus can
measure?
>> As in the Tradition viscometer, the M900 devise can measure the
rheological properties such as Yield point, Gel Strength (of 10 second
and 10 minute), and the Plastic viscosity as well. In addition to the
simultaneous graphical representation of the process according to the
test set up.
4. What is the mechanism of filtration and its control?
>> Darcy’s law governs filtration of liquids through porous media.
However fluid loss in the well bore will decrease with time, since the
permeability will decrease continuously as particles make a tighter
filter, in figure 3 , the Spurt loss will occur at the beginning of the
filter test, a test which is performed on an initially clean filter paper,
mimicking the porous sandstone. After the spurt loss the filtrate
volume becomes proportional to the square root of time

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1- Drilling Engineering Laboratory Manual (2014).
Pshtiwan Jaf . Koya University
2- BROOKFIELD MODEL BF35 (2010) Installation,
Operation and Maintenance Instructions [Online]
Avialable from:
http://www.brookfieldengineering.com/support/documen
tation/bf35-manual.pdf.[Accessed: Apr. 1st 2016]
3- OFITE MODEL 900 VISCOMETER WITH DIGITAL
THERMOMETER SYSTEM, THERMOCUP (2008). Viscosity
[Online] Available from:
http://www.hiltoninstruments.com/uploads/pdfs/mud%20testing
/130-76-C.pdf [Accessed: Apr. 1st 2016]
4-OFITE (2012). Model 900 Automated Viscometer
[Online] Available from : http://www.ofite.com/doc/130-76-
C_brochure.pdf. [Accessed: Apr. 1st 2016]
5- Model 900 Viscometer (2015) Instruction Manual
[Online] Avialble from: http://www.ofite.com/doc/130-76-
C_instructions.pdf [Accessed: Apr.1st
2016]