Product category:
Monitoring and sensor equipment and systems
News Release from: Hydramotion | Subject: On-line viscometer
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 24 January 2007
On-line viscometer holds up under
pressure
Measuring the viscosity of drilling fluids at the high pressures of the oilfield is all in a day's work for the XL7 on-line viscometer from Hydramotion .
Measuring the viscosity of drilling fluids at the high pressures of the oilfield is all in a day's work for the XL7 on-line viscometer from Hydramotion Drilling fluid, or "mud", is pumped down a well to remove rock cuttings and to lubricate and cool the drill bit
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 12 Jun 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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The mud is "shear-thinning", meaning that its viscosity falls when it is moved or agitated, so while it is circulating through the borehole its viscosity is relatively low.
If pumping stops, however, the mud forms a thick gel that suspends the cuttings and stops them from sinking to the bottom of the borehole, where they could jam the drill.
When the mud starts moving again it reverts to its thin, liquid form.
It is clearly essential for oilfield engineers to be able to monitor the viscosity of the drilling mud, but any on-line viscometer must be able to cope with the relatively high pressures of the drill pipe - typically between 5000 and 7500 psi (345 - 517 bar).
While traditional methods of measuring viscosity cannot be used under such conditions, high pressures present no challenge to the Hydramotion XL7 viscometer.
The sensor is a single solid probe whose unique technology imposes no theoretical limit on pressure.
Hydramotion has supplied a number of instruments to leading oilfield services providers for various applications, including the measurement of heavy crude at 5000 psi and 100degC.
A US customer wishing to measure the viscosity of petroleum fractions under simulated field conditions has just taken delivery of XL7 viscometers rated at 20,000 psi (1380 bar).
Higher ratings are perfectly possible.
The XL7 can measure any viscosity range at temperatures up to 400degC in pipes or tanks of any capacity.
Unaffected by bubbles or "slugs" of air or gas, and with no moving parts to wear out or fail in service, a Hydramotion viscometer is fitted in minutes and virtually maintenance-free.
It is easy to use and needs no on-site calibration.
For engineers at the well site, the XL7 has taken the hassle and uncertainty out of viscosity control. Request a free brochure from Hydramotion ...
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