Rheology

University of Tripoli
Faculty of Engineering
Petroleum Engineering Department
Drilling Fluids Lab PE383L
REPORT 2 #
(EXPREMENT)
Rheology and gel strength
:Prepared by
Student Name: AMAL OMAR ALKHATRSHI

Student Number: 022170393
Supervised by: : ENG: NISREEN ALKHOJA
Fall: 2022
List of Contents
LIST OF SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS:..................................................................................2
Introduction..............................................................................................................................3
EQUIPMENT USED:...................................................................................................................4
Procedure..................................................................................................................................6
- Marsh funnel.............................................................................................6
- Plastic viscosity.........................................................................................7
- Gel Strength..............................................................................................7
- Yield point.....................................................................................................7
Tabulated results.......................................................................................................................7
Reference..................................................................................................................................8
LIST OF SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS:
τ Shear Stress (Pa).
μ Apparent Viscosity.
γ Shear rate (s-1 ).
τy Yield Point (lb/100 ft2 )
μp Plastic Viscosity (cP).
θN Viscometer Dial reading (degree).
RPM: revolutions per minute.

Introduction
Viscosity: resistance of a fluid to flow.

Rheology: is the study of the deformation of fluids and flow of matter. Its importance is
recognized in the analysis of fluid flow velocity profiles, fluid viscosity (marsh funnel
viscosity, apparent viscosity and plastic viscosity), friction pressure losses and annular
borehole cleaning. Rheological properties are basis for all analysis of well bore hydraulics
and to assess the functionality of the mud system. Rheological characteristics of drilling mud
also include yield point and gel strength. Rheological properties (such as density, viscosity,
gel strength etc.) are tested throughout the drilling operations.
CLASSIFICATION OF DRILLING FLUIDS:

Drilling fluids are classified into Pneumatic, or Liquid, or Pneumatic-liquid mixtures. Broad
classification of drilling fluids is shown below:
Table 1 Classification of Drilling Fluids (Bourgoyne Jr., Millheim, Chenevert, & Young Jr.,
1986)
Pneumatic Fluids Liquid Fluids Pneumatic-Liquid

Mixtures
Air; Natural gas Water based muds; Oil Foam (mostly gas); Aerated
based muds Water (mostly water)
Plastic Viscosity: is part of the flow resistance of the fluid caused by mechanical friction
within the fluid.
Where θN is the viscometer dial reading at any rotational speed of N. The plastic viscosity of
the mud is usually obtained by:
μp = θ600 – θ300
For N= 300, 600 rpm.

Apparent viscosity:
μa = (θ600 / 2)
The yield point (τy) in unit’s lb/100 ft is obtained using
τy = θ300 – μp.
The gel strength in unit’s lb./100 ft2, is measured by taking the maximum dial deflection
when the rotational viscometer is turned at low rotor speed after the mud has been static for a
period of time generally 10 seconds or 10 minutes.
The Gel strength is a function of the inter-particle forces. An initial 10-second gel and a 10-
minute gel strength measurement give an indication of the amount of gelation that will
occur after circulation ceased and the mud remains static. The more the mud gels
during shutdown periods, the more pump pressure will be required to initiate
circulation again.
EQUIPMENT USED:
 Marsh funnel :
The Marsh funnel readings are only

general measurements, but the frequent
reporting of the Marsh funnel viscosity
will indicate changes in the fluid
viscosity that could require corrective
action.
Funnel viscosity is the ratio of the
speed of the sample fluid as it passes
through the outlet tube (the shear rate)
to the amount of force (the weight of
the fluid) that is causing the fluid to
flow (the shear stress). Marsh funnel
viscosity is reported as the number of
seconds required for one quart of
sample fluid to flow out of a full Marsh
funnel.
In addition to the Marsh funnel, the

viscosity measurement procedure requires a graduated container
(measuring cup) to receive the fluid as it flows out of the funnel, a means
to measure elapsed time (stopwatch), and a thermometer for measuring
the temperature of the sample.
 Viscometer: Fann viscometer (Model 35A) was used to
determine viscosity of the mud samples. The Fann
rotational viscometer was calibrated as described in
manual before being used for this project work.
Table2
Model No. No. of Speeds Speeds

35A 6 600, 300, 200, 100,
6, 3
Table3, Six-Speed Testing Combinations for Models 35A
Procedure
RHEOLOGY TEST:
Rheology test results have been divided into 4 sections, namely mud density results,
Plastic viscosity test results, yield point test results and 10 sec gel strength test results.
- Marsh funnel Measurement Procedures:

fill the funnel with the mud while closing its end with your finger, do not forget to
wear gloves to protect your hand from the dangerous elements at the mud if there,
locate the cup under the sleeve, then put your finger away from the end and do not
forget to turn the timer on at the same moment of getting your finger away, now wait
till the container reached the 930cc then close the funnel and get the timer at the
930cc.
Time viscosity
<45s Low viscosity
>45s && <60s Good viscosity
>60s High viscosity
- Plastic viscosity Measurement Procedures:

 Stir a sample at 600 RPM.
 Waite for the indicator to stabilize.
 Record the dial at 600.
 Then stir it at 300 RPM and do the same as 600.
 μp = θ600 – θ300.
- Gel Strength Measurement Procedures:
 Stir a sample at 600 RPM for about 15 seconds.
 Turn the RPM knob to the STOP position.
 Wait the desired rest time (normally 10 seconds or 10 minutes).
 Switch the RPM knob to the GEL position.
 Record the maximum deflection of the dial before the Gel breaks, as the
Gel strength in lb/100 ft². (lb/100 ft² x 5.077 = Gel strength in dynes/cm²).
- Yield point measurement procedure:
 YP = 300 RPM – Plastic Viscosity
 Obtain a recently agitated mud sample from each of mud tanks (1) and
(2).
 Using the Baroid Rheometer, obtain dial readings at 3, 300 and 600
RPM.
 By means of the rheological calculation’s procedure, determine the
Apparent and Plastic Viscosities, Yield Point and initial 10 sec. and final
10-minute Gel Strength parameters.

Tabulated results
Mud Premix + Premix +20g Premix +20g

250cc water Bentonite Bentonite +
250cc water
Θ600 30 45 40 48
Θ300 26 35 31 42
Θ200
Θ6
Θ3
Gels. @10 sec 18 30 220
Gels. @10 min 30 17 230
mud Premix + 250 Premix +20 gm

c.c water Bentonite
𝝁𝒑 4 10 9
Apparent (cp) 15 22.5 20
YP (lb/100 𝐟𝐭𝟐 ) 22 25 11
Flow behavior .206 .362 .368
index (n)
Consistency index 3669.51 1867.19 1595.05
(k)
CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS:
The concentration of mud additives is vital to control the rheological properties of
drilling mud. Significant changes in mud density, plastic viscosity, yield point and gel
strength were noted to correspond to changes in the concentration of mud additives.
Test procedure:
1) Take sample of pre-mixed mud sample and measure
the following properties:
a) Density in ppg.
b) Plastic viscosity.
c) Yield point.
d) Flow behavior index.
e) Consistency index.
f) 10sec\10min.gel strength.
2) Take another sample of premixed mud. Increase its

bentonite concentration by 20lbs\bbl. Measure the
previous properties.
3) add 10lbs\bbl of spercene and measure previous
properties.
4) Tabulated and compare results.
5) Report the effect of adding bentonite to mud.
Calculations:
θ 300
n=3.323log , k= (510* θ 300)\(510)n.
θ 600
Pv= θ 600 - θ 300, yp= θ 300 – Pv.
Tabulated test results:
property Sample# (Sample#1) (Sample#1)+

1 + 20gm\350cc
20gm\350cc (pentonite)+
(pentonite) 10lbs\
bbl(spercene)
Mwt(ppg 8.8 9.2 9
)
θ 300 18 132 31
θ 600 25 138 37
yp 11 126 25
Pv 7 6 6
n 0.474 0.06409 0.2551
k 477.58 45139.98 3221.17039
Gel 10\12 125\127 15\17
strength
Discussion results:
- Adding bentonite increase viscosity.
- Adding spercene decrease viscosity.
- Additives materials reduce viscosity:
(sapp, kibegen, unicol)
Conclusion:
Rheology properties it’s important to know fluid behavior

of bottom hole and during drilling and make the shear
stress or pressure which is enough to overcome on the
problem of bottom hole ( increasing viscosity or
decreasing of gel strength),then complete the work of
circulation system.
Figures:
Reference
Adeaga, A. (2010). Effects of Additives on the Rheology and Corrosion Characteristics of
Drilling Mud. Halifax, NS: Dalhousie University.
Alderman, N. J., Gavignet, A., Guillot, D., & Maitland, G. C. (1988). High-Temperature,
HighPressure Rheology of Water-Based Muds. Society of Petroleum Engineers , 187-195.
Ali, M., & Al-Marhoun, M. (1990). The Effect of High Temperature, High Pressure, and Aging
on Water-Based Drilling Fluids. Society of Petroleum Engineers , Unsolicited.
Annis, M. R., & ESSO, P. R. (1967). High-Temperature Flow Properties of Water-Base Drilling
Fluids. Journal of Petroleum Technology [Volume 19, Number 8] , 1074-1080.
API Recommented Practice 13B-1, I. 1.-1. (2003, December). Recommended Practice for
Field Testing water-based Drilling Fluids. American Petroleum Institute.
Asrar, N. (2010). Corrosion Control of Drilling Tools Through Chemical

TreatmentsEffectiveness and Challenges. SPE International Conference on Oilfield
Corrosion .
Azar, J. J., & Lummus, J. L. (1975, 28 September-1 October 1975,). The Effect of Drill Fluid pH
on Drill Pipe Corrosion Fatigue Performance. Fall Meeting of the Society of Petroleum
Engineers of AIME .
Azar, J., & Samuel, G. R. (2007). Drilling Engineering. PennWell Corporation.
Bingham, C. E. (1922). Fluidity and Plasticity. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Bourgoyne Jr., A. T., Millheim, K. K., Chenevert, M. E., & Young Jr., F. (1986). Applied Drilling
Engineering. Richardson, TX: Society of Petroleum Engineering.
Model-35-Viscometer-Instruction-Manual.

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University of Tripoli

Drilling Fluids Lab PE383L

Student Name: AMAL OMAR ALKHATRSHI

LIST OF SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS:

τ Shear Stress (Pa).

γ Shear rate (s-1 ).

τy Yield Point (lb/100 ft2 )

μp Plastic Viscosity (cP).

θN Viscometer Dial reading (degree).

RPM: revolutions per minute.

Viscosity: resistance of a fluid to flow.

CLASSIFICATION OF DRILLING FLUIDS:

Pneumatic Fluids Liquid Fluids Pneumatic-Liquid

For N= 300, 600 rpm.

The yield point (τy) in unit’s lb/100 ft is obtained using

The Marsh funnel readings are only

In addition to the Marsh funnel, the

Model No. No. of Speeds Speeds

- Marsh funnel Measurement Procedures:

- Plastic viscosity Measurement Procedures:

- Gel Strength Measurement Procedures:

 Stir a sample at 600 RPM for about 15 seconds.

 Turn the RPM knob to the STOP position.

 Wait the desired rest time (normally 10 seconds or 10 minutes).

 Switch the RPM knob to the GEL position.

- Yield point measurement procedure:

 YP = 300 RPM – Plastic Viscosity

Mud Premix + Premix +20g Premix +20g

mud Premix + 250 Premix +20 gm

2) Take another sample of premixed mud. Increase its

Pv= θ 600 - θ 300, yp= θ 300 – Pv.

Tabulated test results:

property Sample# (Sample#1) (Sample#1)+

Rheology properties it’s important to know fluid behavior

Asrar, N. (2010). Corrosion Control of Drilling Tools Through Chemical

Azar, J., & Samuel, G. R. (2007). Drilling Engineering. PennWell Corporation.

Bingham, C. E. (1922). Fluidity and Plasticity. New York: McGraw-Hill.

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