about drilling fluids
2006-07-15 22:07:01 · 2 answers · asked by Akinzo 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
OK I'm not an expert. Drilling mud is used to lubricate and cool the drilling bit and take away chippings of rock. These are separated on the surface where there are screens and other plant to maintain the properties of the mud. Another function of the mud is to prevent blowouts if high pressures are encountered in a strata. This is done by keeping the density of the mud high so it exerts a high static head at the bottom of the hole (my memory may be faulty but I think bentonite is often used to give a gravity of about twice that of water). I am not sure but I think water based muds may have taken over from oil based muds as they have less potential impact on the environment.
2006-07-16 05:59:06 · answer #1 · answered by Robert A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
like for oil?
2006-07-15 22:14:51 · answer #2 · answered by elliebear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋