Handbook

The course covers both the theory and practical applications of drilling fluids and well cementing technology. The combined lectures, tutorials and laboratory experiments will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the functions, composition and additives of drilling fluids, clay and polymer chemistry and applications in drilling fluids, drilling fluid density determination and calculations, drilling fluid filtration and mud caking process, API drilling fluid properties, equipment and testing procedures, drilling fluid system design for control formation damage and wellbore stability, drilling fluid hydraulics and cuttings transportation, cement manufacture, composition and standardization, cement additives, cement slurry rheology properties, API cementing testing equipment and procedures, cement slurry design and calculations, mud removal by cement, gas migration, cementing equipment and procedures, post-job considerations and evaluation.

The course has a design project on mud program and cuttings transportation in deviated wells. As part of the project, students are required to carry out a literature survey on latest development in mud program and cuttings transportation in deviated wells; carry out a case study by designing a mud program, drilling hydraulics optimization and cuttings transportation in a deviated well.