What Does
Drilling Fluid Control System Mean?
A drilling fluid control system is an automated system used to control the flow and processing of the drilling fluid. The complete system ensures that the consistency of drilling fluid, its retrieval, settlement and re-circulation into the drilling operation are done seamlessly in order to have a cost and time effective operation.
This helps lower maintenance costs, and reduces occurrence of equipment failure and downhole problems. The drilling fluid control system is in constant contact with the borehole during the entire drilling operation and hence is of prime importance in any drilling operation.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Drilling Fluid Control System
The drilling fluid system comprises of different components such as mud pumps, mud mixing and additive systems, mud hoppers, mud buckets, mud control systems, fluid routing systems, centrifugal pumps, bulk storage and transfer systems and mud monitoring systems. The entire system can be remotely monitored and adjusted for specific situations. Drilling fluid is of prime importance in a drilling operation as it not only lubricates the borehole for easy drilling and installation but also helps remove cuttings and soil from the borehole to keep it clean.
Another important role of drilling fluid is in borehole stabilization to prevent it from collapsing. Since drilling fluid can be re-circulated, an integrated system enables settlement and removal of solids from the drilling mud in a settlement tank after which the clean mud is again used for drilling.