The University of Louisiana
Department of Petroleum Engineering
Drilling Engineering, PETE 382
Term Project
DRILLING FLUIDS, VOLUMES, & TRIPPING JOBS
Synopsis:
Drilling fluid plays an important role in any drilling activity. It is the main controlling parameter in well control. Its main function is to control the bottom hole pressure (BHP) and stabilize the borehole. Therefore, it is very important to properly design the mud to avoid any fluid loss or cause formation damage.
This project aims at giving students the opportunity to have a comprehensive idea of the overall activities and the process related to mud use starting from mixing it up to tripping jobs. The product of this project (Excel sheet) can be used as a tool to make any calculation related to the use of mud in any drilling activity in the future. In other words, you will be able to use the Excel sheet in your future jobs if you ever get involved in any drilling activity. Therefore, it is expected that students to do a comprehensive search in the net, libraries, contacting oil companies to get the necessary information required for the project execution. A maximum of three students can work on the same project. Students must adhere to the project deadline. No project will be accepted after the indicated due date. Therefore, it is advisable to form your team and start immediately on the project.
Project Objective:
The aim of this project is to develop an Excel sheet that calculates the following for typical drilling fluid and well configurations:
Required densities of drilling fluids
Rheological properties of a given mud
Volumes of typical wells, pump pressure, output, and strokes,
Effect of tripping jobs on the hydrostatic pressure.
Project Requirements:
You are expected to take your own mud properties (i.e., measurements made in the lab) and select a typical well configuration as well as the mud pump (use both duplex and triplex pumps) to calculate the following:
Average…