Drilling Fluid Contamination: Carbonate/ Bicarbonate

Drilling Fluid Contamination: Carbonate/ Bicarbonate

One of the most unrecognised types of contamination is that due to Carbonate and Bicarbonate ions. Usually such contamination is gradual, resulting in increased gel strengths and yield point. It is often incorrectly diagnosed as increased solids but, in this case, application of costly thinners have little, or no effect.

Sources of Carbonates

  • C02 from drilled formations or air ingress.
  • Thermal degradation of organic additives
  • Over treatment with soda ash or sodium bicarbonate
  • Carbonate formations

Diagnosis by Analysis of Mud Alkalinity

Restricted Content

Subscribe to view the Content