Rw. James et al., Improving the working environment and drilling economics through better understanding of oil-based drilling fluid chemistry, SPE DRILL C, 15(4), 2000, pp. 254-260
The relationships between oil-based drilling fluid composition and the asso
ciated vapors have been quantified. The study documents the long- and short
-term changes in base oil selection and fluid compositions. The study is ba
sed on the generation and assessment of data collected from the vapor emiss
ions of oil-based drilling fluids with varying compositions and at a range
of temperatures.
The purpose of the study was to enable a better understanding of the potent
ial working environment hazards when using mineral oil-based drilling fluid
s. One result of this understanding is that new rig construction designs an
d older rig upgrades can be performed more informatively. This will reduce
the repetition of continual modification costs.