Now we will take a look at the drilling interactive to learn more about the drilling/drill rig technologies associated with drilling mud/drilling fluids. Open the Drilling Interactive and follow the instructions below.
Locate the mud tank/pit.
What is the purpose of the mud tank/pit?
Locate the mud mixer. This is where it all begins.
What two components does drilling mud commonly consist of?
Now that we have reviewed mud tanks, locate the mud pump and watch the short clip.
What is the typical number of mud pumps on a drilling rig and what are the purpose of the cylinders that each mud pump accompanies?
Next locate the shale shaker, which encompasses several vibrating screens. Once the shale shakers remove large rock fragments, mud cleaners are used to remove any other large objects within the mud.
Where are rock cuttings displaced/stored if they are too large to protrude through the shale shaker?
Often hydrocarbons flow upwards into the wellbore and mix with the drilling mud. In order for the drilling mud to be separated from the formation fluid crew members on the rig use a mud-gas separator. Locate the mud-gas separator and watch the short clip.
Where is the gas sent that is separated through a series of baffles?
Next locate mud guns. Mud guns ensure the mud does not settle and dry within the tank.
What is the purpose of a particular type of mud gun known as a spinner/pivot mud gun?
Lastly, locate the rotary hose. The hose carries mud from the standpipe to the kelly/topdrive. To better understand this process be sure to locate the kelly and the stand on the interactive as well. Watch the short clip for the rotary hose and answer the following question.
