Writing expressions for these assumptions :

Volume basis : Vs + Vi = Vf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)

Weight basis : sVs + iVi = fVf . . . . . . .. . . . (2)
Where
Vs = Volume of solid
Vi = Volume of initial mud (or any liquid)
Vf = Final volume of mixture
s = Density of solid
i = Density of initial mud
f = Density of final mud
Solving for Vs :
Vs = Vf (f i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3)
(s i)
The units have to be in consistent set
If the density is in lb/gal, the V will be in gal, and so
does gm/cc cc.
Since the net volume of a powdered solid is not readily
measurable (usually measured by weight), by
multiplying the s to equation (3), the Vs can be
calculated :
sVs = sVf (f i) . . . . . . . . . . . . (4)
(s i)
Example 1
A 9.5 lb/gal mud contains clay (SG = 2.5) and fresh water.
Compute (a) the volume % and (b) the weight % clay in this
mud.
Using Equations (3) & (4)
Solution :
(a) Altering eq. (3)
Volume % solids = Vs 100%
Vf
= f i 100% = 9.4 %
s - i
(b) Divide eq. (4) fVf :
Weight % solids = sVs 100
fVf
Substitute Vs & Vf in terms od densities :
= 20.6%
Example 2
For laboratory purposes, it is desired to mix one liter of
bentonite- fresh water mud having a viscosity of 30 cP:
(a) What will be the resulting mud density ?
(b) How much of each material should be used ?
Hints for Solution :
Assume Wyoming bentonite,
Solid content = 3 % by volume
For certain types of problems it is convenient to express eq.
(3) in a different form.
Suppose that the quantity of solids (Vs) necessary to
increase (or decrease) the density of an initial mud is
desired. Then :
Vs = (Vi + Vs) (f i) . . . . . . . . . . (3a)
s i
Where ; Vi + Vs = Vf . . . . . . . . . . . (from eq. 1)
Solving for Vs gives :
Vs = Vi (f i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5)
(s f)
Example 3
(a) How much weighting material BaSO4, barite, SG =
4.3) should be added to the mud of Example 2 to
increase its density to 10 ppg ?
(b) What will be the resulting volume ?
Hint for Solution :
Use eq. (5)
Barite is so universally used as a weighting material, it is
useful to express eq. (5) in field units.
Barite is sold in 100 lb bags or sacks :
1 sack = 100 lb = 0.373 cu.ft
4.3 (62.4 lb/cu.ft)
= 0.373 cu.ft = 0.0664 bbl of net
5.615 cu.ft/bbl barite
Therefore, 1 bbl (net) of barite = 1 bbl = 15 sacks
0.0664 bbl/sack
Note : Assuming SG of Barite = 4.3
Let Sb = Sacks of barite necessary to increase the density of
Vi bbl of mud fromi to f.
Substituting these special conditions into eq. (5):
Sb = Vi (f i)
15 4.3 (8.33) f
Therefore;
Sb = 15 Vi (f i) . . . . . . . . . . . . (5a)
35.8 - f
Similarly, if clay (SG = 2.5) is sold in 100 lb bags or
sacks :
1 sack = 100 lb = 0.641 cu.ft
2.5 (62.4 lb/ cu.ft)
= 0.641 cu.ft = 0.1142 bbl of net clay
5.615 cu.ft/ bbl
1 bbl (net) of clay = 1 bbl = 8.75 sacks
0.1142 bbl/sack
Let Sc = Sacks of clay necessary to increase the density of
Vi bbl of mud fromi to f.
Substituting these special conditions into eq. (5):
Sc = Vi (f i)
8.75 2.5(8.33) f
Therefore, Sc = 8.75 Vi (f i) . . . . . . . . . . . . (5b)
20.8 - f
Example 4
(a) How many sacks of barite are necessary to increase
the density of 1000 bbl of mud from 10 to 14 lb/ gal ?
(b) What will be the final mud volume ?
Hint for solution :
Use eq. (5a)
To dilute or reduce mud density :
Vw + Vi = Vf . . . . . . . . Volume basis
wVw + iVi = fVf . . . . . . . . Weight basis
wVw + iVi = f (Vw + Vi)
wVw fVw = fVi iVi
Vw = Vi (f i)
w f
Vw = Vi (i f ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6)
(f w)
where,
Vw = bbls of water necessary to reduce the density of Vi
bbls initial mud fromi to f.
Example 5
(a) How much fresh water must be added to 1000 bbl of
12 lb/gal mud to reduce its density to 10 lb/gal ?
(b) What will be the resulting volume ?
Hints for solution :
(a) Use eq. (6)
Example 6
(a) How many sacks of barite are required to raise the
mud weight of 755 bbl from 77 pcf to 92 pcf ? What
is the resulting volume ?
(b) Calculate the new mud weight when 126 bbl of oil
(SG= 0.8)is added to the new system. What is the
resulting volume ?
(c) Determine the quantity of barite required to
maintain a mud weight of 92 pcf. What is the final
volume ?
Hints for solution :
Use eq. (5a)