Drilling fluid technologies are an essential element of extracting oil and gas reservoirs from the earth. It is fairly common for people in this line of work to travel on assignment to different parts of the world.

The person who operates the drill must know how to work with oil drilling liquids. Usually companies will require a degree in petroleum engineering before they will hire a drill operator. As companies incorporate new drilling fluid technologies into their operations, they may require continuing education in the field.

1. Increase your job opportunities by getting a degree as a petroleum engineer.

2. Look for ways to continue your education in order to stay up to date on drilling fluid information.

3. Focus on the safety training for working with drilling fluids.

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Consider getting a degree in drilling fluid engineering

A degree in petroleum engineering teaches you how to work with drilling fluids, sometimes called drilling mud. It can also prepare you to work with drilling mud additives and chemicals. The best programs will go beyond classroom teaching and provide hands-on experience.

I recommend: World Wide Learn provides an overview of what a career as a Petroleum Engineer entails. You can also find links for universities and colleges that offer this degree. The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) provides career resources on its website, including mentoring and university programs. The SPE offers this as a way to increase awareness about the industry, so you don't have to be a member to take advantage of the information.

Continue your education to stay current in drilling fluid technologies

There are a variety of reasons to consider continuing your education after you get a degree. In some cases, you may want to refresh your memory on drilling fluids you haven't used in a while. At other times, you may need to find out the newest drilling fluid technology or find ways to incorporate more environmental-friendly practices into your drilling.

I recommend: The Petroleum Institute for Continuing Education (PEICE) offers a two-day short course for Drilling Fluid Engineering. It includes a review on drilling fluid basics. The American Association of Drilling Engineers provides information on its annual fluids technical conference. It covers a wide area of topics including oil-based drilling fluid.

Obtain drilling fluids education and training specific to safety

Many drilling fluid companies offer educational information about the safety requirements of their products. Some companies only cover the basics by providing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), but others will offer training courses or manuals.

I recommend: Master Technologies offers an Introduction to Oilfield Drilling Operations and Equipment. The course covers oil drilling fluids. Utilize the safety manuals provided by Matrix Drilling Fluids. It provides the safety manuals in downloadable PDFs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Being a mentor or an intern can allow you to get drilling fluids education and training without having to pay a high dollar amount for it, but you will have to invest the time to learn through this method. Often the education is your compensation, and you won't receive a paycheck for doing the work.

Drilling fluid, also known as drilling mud, has multiple purposes in the drilling borehole including lubricating and cooling the bit, removing cuttings, minimizing formation damage and controlling formation pressure along with many others. The precise formulation of the mud or slurry in oil drilling fluids allows deeper drilling in formations once unreachable.

Drilling fluids come in water based, oil based and gaseous forms with many variations in each category. Drilling fluid technologies have advanced far beyond the days of running cows through mud holes for mixing, today’s oil drilling fluids lengthen the life of bits and moving parts in the well and are more friendly to the environment when used properly. Keep these starting points in mind when selecting drilling fluids:

1. Use drilling fluid consultants to formulate the proper drilling fluid.

2. Consider accessibility of the drill site to determine mud delivery limitations.

3. Inject synthetic drilling fluids for difficult drilling projects.

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Get onsite drilling fluids formulated by professionals

Getting the right formula is serious business and saves you money by extending the life of equipment, speeding the drilling process and stimulating flow. From oil based drilling fluid to the inclusion of new drilling fluid chemicals, having an experienced team of consultants onsite keeps the job moving in the right direction.

I recommend: For experience and know how in the world oil market contact Mudman Consulting Engineers. Specializing in drilling fluids assurance Terra Expro Limited can provide expert drilling fluid engineering for your drilling mud additives.

Mix drilling fluid chemicals onsite for remote wells

Drilling takes place in some of the most remote locations on the planet. Getting the drilling mud delivered isn't always an option so mixing and formulation takes place at the well. Dry mix chemicals are available to provide precision drilling fluid additives to any drilling site and condition. Custom dry mix gives you the freedom to drill without the need to use lower quality oil drilling fluids.

I recommend: PDS Co, Inc. offers its super mud formulas in dry and provides an easy comparison tool to determine the best product for your needs. Providing Bentonite based dry products and cleaners as well as drilling detergents, CETCO meets all of your dry chemical needs from beginning to end and offers a drilling chemical calculation tool for easy reference.

Take on the toughest drilling jobs with synthetic drilling fluids

Formations and depths once considered impossible to drill are now within reach thanks in part to the technical advancements in synthetic drilling additives. Created to meet demanding requirements, synthetic oil drilling additives break down slowly to aid in the removal of cuttings in the deepest wells and continue lubricating far beyond the lifecycle of ordinary water based drilling fluid.

I recommend: Contact Shell Chemicals Limited for custom synthetic drilling fluids and supporting analysis. Environmentally friendly drilling fluids are becoming more popular and Rapid Energy Services is leading the way by providing the synthetic chemicals to get the job done.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Drilling fluid recycling is gaining ground in the drilling industry as the financial and environmentally friendly benefits of mud reclamation meet. Drilling fluids waste is contained onsite and removed using government guidelines for hauling and disposal.

Drilling fluid, also known as drilling mud, has many uses during the drilling process. It helps lubricate and cool the drilling bit and remove loose material, and it helps minimize the formation damage and pressure while drilling the bore.

Drilling fluids come in several forms composed from various bases and chemicals. The following terms will help you understand how various drilling fluids are used and the ingredients that make different types of fluids on the market.

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Dry mix chemicals

These are custom chemicals that make the right fluid additives. Depending on the type of drilling site, different drilling fluids are needed. Since many sites are located in remote places, dry mix chemicals allow the correct drilling fluid to be mixed on-site so employees don't have to wait for special delivery.

I recommend: PDS Co. offers its super mud formulas and provides an easy comparison tool to determine the best product for your needs.

Drilling detergents

Drilling detergents are added to drilling fluids to reduce surface tension. The detergents work as an emulsifier at various points during the drilling process and can also reduce drag and torque.

I recommend: Global Drilling Fluids & Chemicals manufactures various products for the oil and gas industry, including drilling detergents.

Synthetic drilling fluids

Synthetic drilling fluids are manufactured, not naturally occurring. Chemically processed fluids are considered synthetic, while fluids obtained from refinery streams are considered oil-based.

I recommend: Shell Chemicals, a provider of synthetic drilling fluids, offers a more detailed explanation on its website.

Drilling fluid recycling

Drilling fluid recycling is gaining popularity in the industry. Fluid recycling from mud reclamation offers financial and environmental benefits, such as cleaner sites and less water and mud hauled in and out. Companies save money because less drilling fluid is required. The process also saves valuable drilling time, which reduces labor costs.

I recommend: National Driller, an oil industry publication, has a great article about drilling fluid recycling.

Water based, oil based and gaseous forms

These are all classifications of drilling fluid composition. These components define the specific function and performance of the drilling fluid.

I recommend: Schlumberger oilfield glossary has a definitions for most oil and gas industry terms, including the common types of drilling fluids or muds.

Formation damage

Formation damage is reduced permeability in a reservoir structure, which results from the drilling fluid used to drill a bore. The amount of formation damage is directly related to the chemical make-up of the drilling fluid used.

I recommend: PanTerra Geoconsultants advises oil companies on minimizing formation damage.