Drilling and completion fluid rheology (ENP160)


Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

ENP160

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

Norwegian

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

NB! This is an elective course and may be cancelled if fewer than 10 students are enrolled by August 20th.

NB! This is an optional subject and if there are fewer than 10 students registered per 20 August, this may result in the course not being offered.

  • General about viscosity, including:
    • Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids (shear thinning and shear thickening)
    • Viscosity models
  • General on rheology, including:
    • Viscoelasticity
    • Gelling and time-dependent viscosity (thixotropy)
    • Rheology in other disciplines
  • Drilling and well fluid rheology:
    • ​​​​​Water-based and oil-based drilling fluids
    • Bentonite-based drilling fluids, polymer solutions, and emulsions
  • Laboratory exercises for mixing and analysis of drilling fluids
    • Viscosity
    • Rheology properties
    • Other fluid properties relevant to rheology

Learning outcome

Students will:

  • learn general theory in rheology and viscosity, as well as how this affects everyday and industrial processes
  • become able to use field instruments for measuring and characterizing fluid properties related to rheology
  • understand the functions of the drilling fluid in a well and be able to contribute to the design of simple drilling and well fluids for real wells
  • be able to make calculations related to pressure control, prevent loss of fluid and transport cuttings

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Recommended prerequisites

General Mathematic, General Chemistry, Physics, Fluid mechanics, Excel or similar softwares.

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Written exam 1/1 4 Hours Letter grades Valid calculator

A final written exam with pen and paper is held on campus (an aid is an approved calculator).

Coursework requirements

Laboratory exercises
The laboratory exercises are a mandatory work requirement; admission to the exam requires approval of this work requirement.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Alf Kristian Gjerstad

Course teacher:

Jorunn Hamre Vrålstad

Course teacher:

Jostein Djuve

Course teacher:

Arild Saasen

Method of work

The course is carried out with lectures that provide an introduction and theory as well as laboratory exercises (approx. 4 hours per exercise).

Open for

The course is also available for students at the Department of Quality and Health Technology at the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

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