There’s more to pulling precious resources like oil, natural gas and even water from the earth. While drilling rigs do the heavy lifting, so to say, they’re not enough to get the pumping process rolling in a fashion that will deliver a steady flow. To ensure proper, safe and environmentally sound production, an oilfield fluid system may also be required, and generally is.
Oilfield fluids are used for a variety of reasons and often throughout the production process. At the beginning of an operation, an oilfield fluid system may be required to aid in the initial drilling of boreholes into the earth’s surface. They are frequently used to assist with drilling natural gas and oil and on exploration rigs. Fluids are also used to aid in the creation of simpler boreholes, such as those meant for freshwater production.
There are three main types of oilfield fluid systems, often called drilling muds. They are:
• Water-based – This type of mud can be dispersed and non-dispersed
• Non-aqueous muds – They are often oil-based
• Gaseous – This type of mud has one of a wide range of gases included in its mix
Oilfield fluid systems serve a variety of key functions that assist in production, make drilling safer and aid in sealing off wells no longer in use. Functions for oilfield fluids range from control corrosion and helping remove cuttings from a well to aiding in wellbore stability and minimizing environmental impacts.
The precise oilfield fluid system being used at a well will depend greatly on its stage of production and the type of resource being pulled from the earth. Different fluids have different jobs so a variety of compounds may be used over the course of an operation. These additives, however, are essential for enabling safe operations. They are designed by oilfield chemical companies to do their jobs with as little environmental impact as possible.
Oilfield fluids are used for a variety of reasons and often throughout the production process. At the beginning of an operation, an oilfield fluid system may be required to aid in the initial drilling of boreholes into the earth’s surface. They are frequently used to assist with drilling natural gas and oil and on exploration rigs. Fluids are also used to aid in the creation of simpler boreholes, such as those meant for freshwater production.
There are three main types of oilfield fluid systems, often called drilling muds. They are:
• Water-based – This type of mud can be dispersed and non-dispersed
• Non-aqueous muds – They are often oil-based
• Gaseous – This type of mud has one of a wide range of gases included in its mix
Oilfield fluid systems serve a variety of key functions that assist in production, make drilling safer and aid in sealing off wells no longer in use. Functions for oilfield fluids range from control corrosion and helping remove cuttings from a well to aiding in wellbore stability and minimizing environmental impacts.
The precise oilfield fluid system being used at a well will depend greatly on its stage of production and the type of resource being pulled from the earth. Different fluids have different jobs so a variety of compounds may be used over the course of an operation. These additives, however, are essential for enabling safe operations. They are designed by oilfield chemical companies to do their jobs with as little environmental impact as possible.
