Mud Rotary

Rotary mud drilling uses drilling mud (a specific mix of water, bentonite clays, polymers, and sometimes additives). Each mix is unique to how the bore drills. Drilling mud is then pumped down through the drill pipe and out through various nozzles in the drill bit.

The drilling fluid circulates continuously within the hole we are drilling, the mud fluid then flows upwards in the space around the drill pipe carrying the cuttings to the surface. The drilling fluid is then collected in a pit and recirculated down the hole. The particles broken up by the drill bit collected in the pit are then either removed manually by shovel or by a sludge pump and de-sander.

The mud used forms a membrane that inhibits any flow out through the walls of the hole, and the internal hydrostatic pressure of the mud provides structural support to the walls whilst drilling and enabling the running of casing plus gravel pack. In some areas when you have a large underground aquifer systems or ancient river beds the mud pit gets drained very quickly as it takes a while for the mud to lock together with the sand and prevent any side leaching.