The Impact of Using oil Base Mud in Oil Drilling Rigs - Dissertation Example

This dissertation will discuss the impact of using oil based mud in oil rigs for National Drilling Company in United Arab Emirates. In order to determine the impact of using oil based mud in drilling operations, the main components of oil rigs must be examined. This dissertation will examine the five main systems of an oil rig and the purpose they serve in the drilling process. In order to understand the impact and importance of drilling fluids in the drilling process, this research will examine them in detail.

Drilling fluid, also called drilling mud, was first introduced simply as a way to drill cuttings out of the wellbore. The life cycle assessment in this research will examine disposal methods of drilling mud as well. The disposal of oil based mud currently presents some difficult problems with a consequent increase in operating costs. Currently, for example, National Drilling Company's disposal of oil based mud involves containing the mud and transporting it to the mud plant for disposal which is an expensive process.

Improper disposal methods may result in damage to the environment, followed by a lengthy and costly recovery period. This dissertation will examine the full impact of using oil based in the drilling process and provide National Drilling Company with alternatives that are more environmentally friendly and cost effective. In order to understand all of the functions of drilling mud, it is essential to understand the drilling process and know the main systems and the components of an oil rig. . Harvard Medical School (2002) did a life cycle assessment on the oil recovery process and identified the negative health and environmental impacts at every stage in the process.

Several countries around the world are considered large oil producers, such as United Arab Emirates. This dissertation will discuss the impact of using oil based mud in oil rigs for National Drilling Company in United Arab Emirates. In order to determine the impact of using oil based mud in drilling operations, the main components of oil rigs must be examined. This dissertation will examine the five main systems of an oil rig and the purpose they serve in the drilling process. In order to understand the impact and importance of drilling fluids in the drilling process, this research will examine them in detail.

Drilling fluid, also called drilling mud, was first introduced simply as a way to drill cuttings out of the wellbore (Charles, 1984). Today, as deeper and more hazardous wells are drilled to meet the demand for oil, drilling mud has become a much more important part of the drilling process. Drilling mud is now considered the primary well control and drilling operations are not conducted without them (Id.). This research will examine the functions of drilling mud that are essential to the drilling process.

These functions are: 1) transporting formation cuttings to the surface, 2) preventing formation fluids from entering the wellbore, 3) protecting the walls of the wellbore from collapsing, 4) cooling and lubricating drilling equipment (i.e. drill bit, drill string), 5) equalizing formation pressure (hydrostatic pressure) and preventing it from reaching the surface, 6)