Mud density transmitter
API Gultham Statham, represented by University Paton Instruments , has announced the MD3018 mud density transmitter.
The measurement of drilling fluid (referred to as "mud") properties is an integral part of the oil and gas drilling process.
By virtue of its density, mud provides the hydrostatic pressure necessary to balance the formation pressure.
The mud also lubricates the drill bit, removes cuttings from the drill face, transports these cuttings to the surface and stabilizes the wall of the open bore hole.
The mud is typically kept in storage pits and pumped into the well. Mud density (also called mud weight) is typically measured at two locations; Mud density-in is the "clean" mud that will be pumped into the well, and Mud density-out is the mud that, together with cuttings, formation fluids, etc. comes out of the well.
Historically, the basic mud density measurement problems were accuracy, and temperature errors and instrument failure.
The MD3018 design is an all stainless steel permanently submersible, hermetically sealed differential pressure design which significantly reduced capillary tube runs.
By putting the transmitter into the pit with the remote seal capillary, the electronics and sensors were at the same temperature, which solved the problem of temperature sensitivity and provided more accurate calibration and measurement.
The proximity of the active components also decrease the response time and increase the accuracy.
16-Jan-2003