Mother Nature is a foe that man can’t quite conquer. However, John McLennan, associate professor of chemical engineering at the University of Utah, is ready to try.
The advanced models incorporate new features to meet the highest standards for jobsite productivity, improved drilling fluid flow, increased durability, and faster mixing cycles and yield times.
A few years ago, I received a call from a contractor asking for help mitigating a situation with a governmental transport agency in regards to monitoring downhole pressures as they were drilling under a six-lane highway crossing.
Gel strength is one of the most important characteristics of an HDD drilling fluid, and understanding how to test for gel strength and adjust drilling fluids to varying soil conditions can greatly increase the success rate for HDD contractors.
The biggest difference between high yield bentonite drilling fluid products and drilling fluid products specifically designed for HDD applications is in gel strength and fluid loss/filtration control.