Effect of Particle Size Distribution on Fluid Rheology of High Density Drilling Fluid

Abstract

The control and maintenance of rheological properties is the key technical problem that needs to be solved for high density drilling fluid. The influence of particle size distribution on the rheology of high density drilling fluid is analyzed. In order to identify the best particle size distribution of barite and iron ore, the influence of distribution modulus on the rheology of high density drilling fluid weighted by barite and iron ore is investigated based on the Aflred distribution equation. The experimental results show that weighting materials particle distribution has great effect on rheological properties of high density drilling fluid. When the barite particle distribution modulus n=0.4 and iron ore powder particle distribution modulus n=0.6, the rheology of high density drilling fluid is best, while the low settlement density difference and low HTHP filtrate loss is maintained.