Newpark Drilling Fluids

Mud Quiz

Newpark Drilling Fluids prides itself in having a full service laboratory in its downtown office. The lab is vital in solving field problems, in the research and development of new fluid systems and additives and design of fluid systems satisfying drilling challenges. The lab has both a chemist and technician working on projects

	1.	Major functions of a drilling fluid are;
		Clean the hole of drill solids
		Seal permeable formations
		Control subsurface pressures
		Hydraulic horsepower at the bit
		All of the above

	2.	Why are gel strengths important;
		Adequate removal of solids at shaker
		Suspend drill solids in the annulus when not circulating
		Determine flow regime in the annulus
		Both a & c

	3.	What causes Plastic Viscosity to increase?
		Dehydration
		Increase in solids concentration
		Inadequate solids control
		All of the above

	4.	PHPA protects sensitive shale through a mechanism called;
		Osmotic force
		Encapsulation
		Hydrogen bonding
		None of the above

	5.	Newpark’s amine product consisting of two NH4+ ions that work on the principle of Cat ion Exchange to prevent hydration;
		FlexFirmTM
		New100
		Highperm
		NewGel

	6.	Which clay type is the most reactive?
		Kaolinite
		Illite
		Chlorite
		Smectite (Sodium Montmorillonite/ Bentonite)

	7.	What mud property best gives an indication of flocculation?
		Fluid Loss
		Plastic Viscosity
		Yield point
		Sand Content

	8.	What is the net charge on a Bentonite clay particle?
		Negative
		Positive
		Neutral

	9.	What is the phenomenon known ‘shear thinning’?
		Pseudo-plastic behavior
		Reduction in flow resistance when flow rate is increased
		Associated with polymer systems
		Optimizes hydraulic horsepower at the bit
		All of the above

	10.	What is a basic advantage of Polymer over Bentonite
		Increased Plastic Viscosity without increased Yield Point
		Increased Gel strengths without increased Plastic Viscosity
		Increased Yield Point without increased Plastic Viscosity
		Decreased Gel strengths with increased Plastic Viscosity
		Both b & c