SPE

SPE 11114

Society of Petl"OlelJn Engineers ot" AIME

Effect of Temperature and Pressure on the Density

of Drilling Fluids
by w.e. McMordie Jr., R.G. Bland, and J.M. Hauser, Hughes Drilling Fluids
Members SPE

Copyright 1982, Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME

This paper was presented at the 57th Annual Fall Technical Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Petroleum
held in New Orleans, LA, Sept. 26-29, 1982. The matenal IS subject to correction by the author. Permission to
abstract of not more than 300 words. Write: 6200 N. Central Expressway, PO Drawer 64706, Dallas. Texas

ABSTRACT
Laboratory data are presented on the changes
in the densities of 11-18 lb/gal oil and water base
drilling fluids in the temperature and pressure
ranges of 70-400F and 0-14,000 psig. Results
indicate that the change in density of a given type
of drilling fluid appear to be independent of the
initial density of the fluid, and as oil base
drilling fluids are subjected to high temperatures
and pressures, they become more dense than water
base drilling fluids. The test apparatus and
calibration are also described.

Liquids expand when heat is applied and are

compressed by pressure. Therefore, the density
of the fluid decreases with increasing temperature.
but increases with increasing pressure. As a
drilling fluid is pumped downhole, its density
is changed by these temperature and pressure
effects.
A survey of the literature showed experimental
datal on the effect of temperature and pressure on
the
of an asphaltic oil base mud and calculated
on density changes with temperature and
pressure of fresh water, salt water, and oil base
muds. This investigation was begun to develop
experimental data on the effect of temperature and
on the density of oil base and water base
fluids.

The equipment for this investigation consisted

of an autoclave with a volume of 210 cm 3 The
autoclave was heated by an aluminum block heater
and the temperature was controlled and measured
within 5F. Pressure was controlled by use of
a 47 cm 3 screw press, rated at 20,000 psig
working pressure. Pressure was controlled within
100 psi. One volume unit of the press contained
References and illustrations at end of paper.

of AIME.

0.058 cm 3 A line with a volume of 3 cm 3 connected

the screw press to the autoclave. A schematic
drawing of the apparatus is shown in Figure 1.
The autoclave, connection line, and screw
press were filled with the test fluid at 70F.
3
The screw press was adjusted to a volume of 47 cm
and the entire system was shut in. The total
3
system volume was 260 cm Pressure was varied
in 2000 psi increments by adjusting the screw
press. Once the 70F data were collected, the
autoclave was heated to a given temperature and
pressure was again adjusted with the screw press.
Temperature, pressure, and screw press volumes
were tabulated.
The apparatus was first calibrated for temperature effect with distilled water at 70-300F
and 0 psig pressure. Since the screw press was
not heated, the response was not linear. Correlation of the volume of water transferred versus
water densities3 gave the following equation:

PI = Po

.0003l9N

For this equation, r2

0.9996

...... (1)

Distilled water was then tested in the 70-400F

temperature and 2,000-14,000 psig pressure range.
The water densities were then calculated by use
of equation (1). Comparison
the calculated
densities with published
showed the calculated
data to diverge positively from published densities.
This was not unexpected since pressure will distort
the
A correction factor for pressure
was
calculated and is shown in equation (2).
Pc

-1.064 x 10-

1 064

. (2)

Combining equations (1) and (2) gives:

PI = poeO.000319N - 1.064 x 10- 5

.063
.. (3)

This method of calibration forced a fit of the

observed data to known values of water. It was

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE ON THE DENSITY OF DRILLING FLUIDS

assumed that this calibration will also hold for

drilling fluids.

NOMENCLATURE

A water base and an oil base drilling fluid were

tested. The water base mud was composed of 3S0 g
distilled water, 20 g bentonite, 3 g chrome lignosulfonate, 3 g lignite and the pH was adjusted to
11.9 with sodium hydroxide. Three samples were
then weighted to 10.69, 13.60, and 17.96 lb/gal
with 4.22 specific gravity barite, and their
densities were then determined at 70F using a
~J~1LV1l1C~~~.
The densities were then determined
the results are shown in Tab1.es 1. 2. and 3.
The low colloid oil base drilling fluid was
formulated with 298 cm 3 of No. 2 diesel oil, S2 cm 3
of 30% calcium chloride brine, S g of organophilic
bentonite, 5 g of emulsifier, and 2 g of calcium
hydroxide. Three samples were weighted to 10.95,
14.27, and 17.98 lb/gal with 4.22 specific gravity
barite. In the case of 1.7.98 1.b/gal fluid. 9 g
of an oil wetting agent was added. The oil base
drilling fluids were tested and the data analyzed
in the same manner as described for the water base
drilling fluid. Tables 4, 5, and 6 show the
results of the individual tests.
DISCUSSION
For a given type of drilling fluid, the three
different mud weights showed essentially the
same density change over a given temperature/pressure
interval. For example, at 350F and 8,000 psi, the
densities of the set of 10.69, 13.60, and 17.96 Ib/gal
water base drilling fluids changed -0.72, -0.82,
and -0.76 lb/gal, respectively. Of the 78 sets of
three densities determined at a temperature/pressure
point, 44 sets had a < 0.1 Ib/gal range, 24 sets
varied 0.1 lb/gal and 10 showed a difference of
0.2
The majority of the cases which
varied 0.2 Ib/gal were at 400F. Based on these
results, density changes for a specific type of a
drilling fluid can be treated as a function of
temperature and pressure only and are independent
of initial density. The average density changes
in the 70-400F temperature and 0-14,000 psig
pressure ranges of a water base and an oil base
drilling fluid are shown in Figures 2 and 3,
respectively.
Temperature and pressure effect the densities
of oil and water drilling fluids differently. As
a general rule, for equal weighted fluids, the
density of an oil base fluid is greater than that
of a water base fluid at high temperatures and
pressures. A comparison of the two types of
fluids is shown in Figure 4.
(;ON(;T,TTSTONS

1.

Density changes of a specific type of a

drilling fluid can be treated as a function
of temperature and pressure and is independent
of initial density.

2.

For fluids of equal densities at surface

conditions, the density of an oil base
drilling fluid will be greater than that of
a water base fluid at high temperatures
and pressures.

SPE 11114

Screw press volume unit, cm3

Pressure, psig

Correlation coefficient

o psig, lb/gal

Po

Density at 70F.

Pl

Density at T, P, lb/gal

Pc

Density correction for pressure, lb/gal

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors express their appreciation to Hughes
Drilling Fluids for permission to publish this work.

1.

Methven, N.E., Baumann, R.: "Performance of

Oil Muds at High Temperatures". Paper SPE 3743
presented at SPE-European Spring Meeting,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, May 16-18. 1972.

2.

Hoberock, L.L., Thomas, D.C., and Nickens, H.V.:

"Bottom-Hole Mud Pressure Variations Due to
Compressibility and Temperature Effects",
Paper 1982 Drilling Technology Conference of
the International Association of Drilling
Contractors, March 9-11, 1982.

3.

Raznjevic. K: "Handbook of Thermodynamic Tables

and Charts", p. 100, Hemisphere Publishing Corp.,
Washington. D.C., 1976.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

DENSITY OF

DENSITY OF
14 Ib/gal WATER BASE
DRILLING FLUID

11 Ib/gal WATER BASE

DRILLING FLUID
Pressure
(psig)

Temperature

0
0
0

70
100
150
200
250
300
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
250
300
350
400
300
350
400
350
400
400

2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
6,000
6,ODO
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
12,000
12,000
14,000

(oF)

Density
(lb/gal)

Pressure
(psig)

Temperature
(OF)

Density
(lb/gal)

10.69
10.65
10.53
10.36
10.15
9.91
10.80
10.75
10.62
10.44
10.23
9.98
9.74
10.88
10.82
10.68
10.50
10.27
10.05
9.82
9.59
10.94
10.87
10.73
10.56
10.33
10.11
9.90
9.67
10.39
10.17
9.97
9.74
10.23
10.03
9.81
10.10
9.88
9.95

70
100
150
200
250
300
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
250
300
350
400
300
350
400
350
400
400

13.60
13.57
13.42
13.22
12.94
12.70
13.73
13.70
13.53
13.32
13.06
12.82
12.52
13.85
13.78
13.61
13.40
13.14
12.91
12.62
12.27
13.92
13.84
13.67
13.46
13.21
12.99
12.70
12.36
13.28
13.06
12.78
12.45
13.14
12.85
12.54
12.93
12.62
12.70

0
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
12,000
12,000
14,000

Pressure
(psig)
0
0

0
0
0
0
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
12,000
12,000
14,000

TABLE 3

TABLE 4

DENSITY OF
18 1b/ga1 WATER BASE
DRILLING FLUID

DENSITY OF
11 1b/gal OIL BASE
DRILLING FLUID

Temperature
(oF)

70
100
150
200
250
300
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
250
300
350
400
300
350
400
350
400
400

Density
(lb/ga1)

Pressure
(psig)

Temperature

17.96
17 .93
17 .81
17.60
17.34
17 .05
18.16
18.11
17.97
17.73
17.47
17.19
16.88
18.27
18.23
18.06
17.81
17.57
17.29
16.99
16.64
18.35
18.32
18.14
17.89
17 .66
17.38
17.10
16.76
17.75
17.47
17.20
16.87
17.56
17.29
16.98
17.38
17.08
17.17

0
0
0
0
0
0
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
10,000
10.000
10,000
12,000
12,000
14,000

70
100
150
200
250
300
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
250
300
350
400
300
350
400
350
400
400

COF)

Density
(lb/gal)
10.95
10.87
10.62
10.40
10.17
9.92
11.11
11. 04
10.77
10.56
10.35
10.12
9.88
11. 23
11.14
10.89
10.70
10.49
10.29
10.07
9.92
11. 32
11.24
10.99
10.81
10.62
10.43
10.22
10.08
10.73
10.55
10.36
10.22
10.67
10.48
10.35
10.58
10.46
10.57

TABLE 5

TABLE 6

DENSITY OF
14 1b/gal OIL BASE
DRILLING FLUID

18 1b/ga1 OIL BASE

DENSITY OF
DRILLING FLUID

Pressure
(psig)

Temperature
(OF)

Density
(lb!ga1)

Pressure
(psig)

Temperature
(OF)

Density
(lb/ga1)

0
0
0
0
0
0
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
12,000
12,000
14,000

70
100
150
200
250
300
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
250
300
350
400
300
350
400
350
400
400

14.27
14.12
13.88
13.64
13.40
13.15
14.47
14.33
14.09
13.86
13.61
13.38
13.10
14.60
14.46
14.23
14.02
13.78
13.58
13.32
13.09
14.71
14.57
14.35
14.15
13.93
13.74
13.51
13.29
14.06
13.88
13.66
13.46
14.02
13.82
13.63
13.95
13.77
13.91

0
0
0
0
0
0
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
8,000
10,000
10 ,000
10,000
12,000
12,000
14,000

70
100
150
200
250
300
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
70
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
250
300
350
400
300
350
400
350
400
400

17.98
17.84
17.59
17.34
17.05
16.77
18.25
18.08
17 .80
17.56
17.30
17.05
16.78
18.35
18.22
17.96
17.73
17.50
17.26
17.03
16.78
18.46
18.35
18.10
17 .88
17.66
17.43
17.22
16.99
17.81
17.60
17.39
17.18
17.74
17.56
17 .35
17.70
17.54
17.69

+0.5

TEHPERATURE
AND PRESSURE
RECORDER

CONNECTING LINE
W

"z -0.5
J:
U

>....
V1

SCREH PRESS

w
C

-1.0
HEATING BLOCK

-1.5 ....._ _ _ _ _ _......._ _......._ _......._ _......._ _-'-_ _.......

Fig. 1-HPHT density test apparatus.

10

PRESSURE, M psig
Fig. 2-Density changes of water-base mud.

12

14

_ _ _ Oil MUD
_ _ _WATER MUD

CI
Z

CI
Z

<t

::I

~ -0.5

>t
'"wz

>~

Vi
Z
w

-1.5L-_......_ _

__

~_---!~_~

_ _~_ _.I.....I

-1.5~

o
PRESSURE, M psig
Fig. 4-Density changes of water-base

VS.

__

~~

__

____
4

____

____

____

PRESSURE, M psig
oil-base muds.

Fig. 3-Density changes of oil-base mUd.

____