The document outlines a laboratory experiment conducted by Koya University to determine the density of drilling mud using a mud balance, which is essential for ensuring stable wellbore conditions in drilling operations. It discusses the importance of mud density in providing hydrostatic pressure to counteract formation pressure, along with a detailed procedure for the experiment and various factors that could lead to errors in measurement. The document also highlights the critical functions of mud and the necessity of using accurate instruments to avoid expensive drilling mishaps.

1. Koya university
Faculty of engineering
Petroleum department
Drilling engineering
Mud Weight density
Bakhtiar star M.
Lab EXP.(1)
Third stage
Supervised by: Mr. pishtwin
Date: 12/nov/2015

2. Aim
This determine and prepare a mud and
find a density by mud balance and to
know the relasionship between weight
and density
Vw *dw +Vs * ds = Vm *dm
(d) :density
(v): volume

3. THEROY
A device to measure density (weight) of mud,other
liquid. A mud balance consists of a fixed-volume mud
cup with a lid on one end of a graduated beam and a
counterweight on the other end. A slider-weight can
be moved along the beam, and a bubble indicates
when the beam is level. Density is read at the point
where the slider-weight sits on the beam at level
Drilling fluid -mud - is usually a mixture of water,
clay, weighing material and a few chemicals.
Sometimes oil may be used instead of water, or oil
added to the water to give the mud certain desirable
properties.Drilling fluid is used to raise the cuttings
made by the bit and lift them to the surface for
disposal.But one of the major functions of a drilling
fluid includes providing hydrostatic pressure to
prevent formation fluids from entering the wellbore.
To ensure that the hydrostatic pressure balances out

4. with formation pressure and that the wellbore is
stable, the mud density has to be taken into
consideration. Higher formation pressure require
higher mud density (this can be achieved by adding
more barite to the drilling fluid) and vice versa.
Using an incorrect drilling fluid (in terms of its mud
density), can result in a formation damage thereby
leading to a well blowout. also we can use other
material for preparing mud with different material
also we can get a different specific gravity and
density(craft,2008)

5. Introduction to experiment
Mud balance is one of the most sensitive and accurate field
instruments available for determining the density or weight-
per-unit-volume (specific gravity) of drilling fluids.
Bentonite is an absorbent aluminium phyllosilicate, impure
clay consisting mostly of montmorillonite. The absorbent clay
was given the name bentonite by Wilbur C. Knight in 1898

6. Mud mixture this device used for mixture well water and
bentonite

7. Bentonite steel vesels
Mud balance
Glass Cylinder

8. Procedure
Calibration
1. Remove the lid from the cup, and completely fill the cup
with water.
2. Replace the lid and wipe dry.
3. Replace the balance arm on the base with knife-edge resting
on the fulcrum.
4. The level vial should be centered when the rider is set on
8.33 ppg. If not, add to or remove shot from the well in the end
of the bream.

9. Procedure
Preparing of mud
1. Remove the lid from the cup, and completely fill the cup
with the mudto be tested.
2. Replace the lid and rotate until firmly seated, making sure
some mudis expelled through the hole in the cup.
3. Wash or wipe the mud from the outside of the cup.
4. Place the balance arm on the base, with the knife-edge
resting on the fulcrum.
5. Move the rider until the graduated arm is level, as indicated
by thelevel vial on the beam.
6. At the left-hand edge of the rider, read the density on either
side of thelever in all desired units without disturbing the
rider.

10. DISCUSION
Q/what will effect of temperature on (ideal test) ?
-The temperature effected on density of liquid, so we should
be do this experiment in room temperature to get an accuracy
result
Q/what’s the factors get you error?
*if you don’t use pure water content a many impurity that
effected on density
* Quality of Bentonite
*accuracy of the mud balance and weighting balance
Q/why we don’t use hydrometer instated of mud balanced
while both equipment can get a density of liquid ?
basically hydrometer used for finding a density ,but mud
balance direct proportional relationship between density and
weight because the weight of mud working like hydrostatic
pressure in drilling useful for a Pressure control. The drilling
mud can be the first line of defense against a blowout or loss

11. of well control caused by formation pressures
Q/why the Mud density so important ?
Mud has many functions<including :
-transporting cutting
-Serves as a medium for formation logging
-transmitting power to bit nozzles or turbines
-cooling and lubrication of bit and drill string.
-reducing formation damages
-protecting cutting
-Supports the weight of pipe and casing

12. One of its most important function is to provide the
hydrostatic pressure to balance formation pressure
This is why the mud density is so important
Q/HOW is setting a mud pumps pressure in a various weight of
mud ?
When we have a high density mud (heavy weight) we should
use a different quantity pressure as low density mud(light
weight),so with increasing mud weight we should increasing
mud pump pressure other wise

13. Q/why should be make sure of clean and dry mud balance
before using and wipe after get in mud in cup and close lid?
For accurate of test, we should be carefully doing this test
because the density will change could be hand out a lot money
and time.
Q/in our lab, why use a syringe at measurement water after
taking in glass cylinder while the cylinder had scale ?
Because the cylinder did not have a small (accurate) scale ,so
use the syringe to pull out water.
Q/in our lab, at weighting a bentonite we reset a weight on
zero while the paper on?
Because the paper have a Net weight
Q/How much unite the mud balance had which one common?
mud weight is the density of the drilling fluid and is normally
measured in pounds per gallon (lbm/gal) (ppg) or pound cubic
feet (pcf) . In the field it is measured using a mud scale or mud
balance.
 pounds per gallon
 specific gravity
 pounds per cubic foot
 pounds per square inch per 1,000 feet of depth

14. REFRENCES
Mud Balances - FANN®. 2015. Mud Balances - FANN®. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.fann.com/fann/products/drilling-fluids-testing/mud-balances/df-mudbalance.page?node-id=hlz0hxo5.
[Accessed 17 November 2015].
Mud balance - Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary . 2015. mud balance - Schlumberger Oilfield Glossary . [ONLINE]
Available at: http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/en/Terms/m/mud_balance.aspx. [Accessed 18 November 2015].
Well Control - Apps for Drilling & Workover Operations. 2015. Well Control - Apps for Drilling & Workover
Operations. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.wellcontrol.com.br/?pag=kicktolerance. [Accessed 19 November
2015].
Mud Weight Marsh Funnel Viscosity And pH - Drilling Engineering. 2015. Mud Weight Marsh Funnel Viscosity And
pH - Drilling Engineering. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.netwasgroup.us/engineering-3/mud-weight-marsh-
funnel-viscosity-and-ph.html. [Accessed 19 November 2015].
Well Kill Using Wait and Weight Method (Balanced Method). 2015. Well Kill Using Wait and Weight Method
(Balanced Method). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.wipertrip.com/well-control/secondary-control/486-well-kill-
using-wait-and-weight-method-balanced-method.html. [Accessed 19 November 2015].