Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/705618
Under most circumstances the desirable weight for the drilling fluid is 9 ppg or less. Density is controlled through use of a well-designed drilling fluid, drilling fluid pit, and solids control equipment. The pit can be earthen dug, metal, plastic, or a combination. It can—and usually does—contain some type of solids control equipment: baffles, weirs, shakers, desanders, desilters, or centrifuges. Weight or density is meas- ured using an API-designed mud scale. Sand Sand is a particle size (200 mesh), not a mineral. Sand is typically considered to be silica in nature, but can actually be any material that is the correct defined size. Sand can be con- trolled through the use of a desander. Sand content is meas- ured using a sand content test kit. I want to emphasize you should verify any drilling fluid additives you choose to use are designed and fit for your proj- ect. NSF International and ANSI verify products are fit for use in a potable aquifer in the United States. These groups are also used in some other countries, while some nations have other organizations and criteria they use to determine whether or not an additive is fit for use in the desired application. Always check with local rules and regulations to make sure you are in compliance and you are using the best additive for the given application. Our next article will be in the September WWJ and focus on the mixing and handling of drilling fluids and drilling fluid additives. I want to close by adding this is our column. If you have a topic you want to discuss, please let me know. Until we meet again. WWJ Ronald B. Peterson was hired in 1977 by Baroid Industrial Drilling Products as a field service representative and has worked in various positions for the company, including as an account rep and manager. He can be reached at ron.peterson@halliburton.com. DACUM Codes To help meet your professional needs, this column covers skills and competencies found in DACUM charts for drillers and pump installers. DO refers to the drilling chart. The letter and number immediately following is the skill on the chart covered by the column. This column covers: DOC-3, DOD-7, DOE-2 More information on DACUM and the charts are available at www.NGWA.org. Fluid Mixing Subject of Webinar Columnist Ronald B. Peterson will lead a one-hour webinar on "Drilling Fluid Mixing" September 14 at 2 p.m. ET. Covered will be proper mixing, planning, formulation, equipment, and techniques. Find out more about the webinar at www.NGWA.org/Events-Education. WWJ August 2016 37 Twitter @WaterWellJournl $&*#(')( $#- - The Groundwater NGWA Association SM Reserve your space today. Aordable. Convenient. Informative. NGWA webinars to help you improve your business.