AES Drilling Fluids

  This week we have the honor of interviewing Richard Baxter, President of AES Drilling Fluids. We dig into his 38 year oilfield career, product developments, and break down base oils with the molecular mastermind himself.  

Bicarbonates? CO2? What’s the contaminant and how would you know? Does lime fix everything? We’ll take you through the signs on a mud check and a bit of the chemistry.

Bicarbonates? CO2? What’s the contaminant and how would you know? Does lime fix everything? We’ll take you through the signs on a mud check and a bit of the chemistry.

Lost circulation creates all kinds of drilling challenges. Treatment can sometimes feel like more of an art than a science. We’ll discuss different loss scenarios and some ideas on how […]

Lost circulation creates all kinds of drilling challenges. Treatment can sometimes feel like more of an art than a science. We’ll discuss different loss scenarios and some ideas of how to stop them.

With every drilling rig comes a whole lot of rust. Why does metal corrode and what can happen if downhole equipment corrodes? What can we do with drilling fluids to […]

With every drilling rig comes a whole lot of rust. Why does metal corrode and what can happen if downhole equipment corrodes? What can we do with drilling fluids to minimize corrosion rates?

In this episode, Matt and Justin discuss the application of drilling fluid sweeps and their respective functions as they relate to enhancing wellbore conditions. Drilling fluid sweeps are typically pumped to help clean the wellbore of cuttings that have not been removed with normal fluid circulation or to apply lost circulation material to the wellbore […]

In this episode, Matt and Justin discuss the application of drilling fluid sweeps and their respective functions as they relate to enhancing wellbore conditions. Drilling fluid sweeps are typically pumped to help clean the wellbore of cuttings that have not been removed with normal fluid circulation or to apply lost circulation material to the wellbore when lost circulation occurs.

The listeners have questions and we have answers. In this episode we answer the question of, “What are the key components of oil based mud and what are their functions?” […]

  The listeners have questions and we have answers. In this episode we answer the question of, “What are the key components of oil based mud and what are their functions?” In this episode, we break down each product of what makes up an oil based mud and describe their functions and importance of each.    

The listeners have questions and we have answers. In this episode we answer the question of, “What are the key components of oil based mud and what are their functions?” In this episode, we break down each product of what makes up an oil based mud and describe their functions and importance of each.  

Wellbore ballooning or “breathing” is a topic often discussed but not properly understood. Ballooning or breathing is when fluid is forced into the rock’s micro-fractures while pumping which are open only enough to contain fluid but not enough to permanently fracture the rock. When we stop pumping and reduce the hydrostatic or equivalent circulating density, […]

Wellbore ballooning or “breathing” is a topic often discussed but not properly understood. Ballooning or breathing is when fluid is forced into the rock’s micro fractures while pumping which are open only enough to contain fluid but not enough to permanently fracture the rock. When we stop pumping and reduce the hydrostatic or equivalent circulating density, the overburden of the rock forces the f...

Brine based drilling fluids are a widely utilized system for drilling and completions due to their ability to protect the formation. These fluids are formulated with a brine as the […]

Brine based drilling fluids are a widely utilized system for drilling and completions due to their ability to protect the formation. These fluids are formulated with a brine as the liquid phase and selected bridging solids and polymers. Listen to this week’s episode while we dive into the world of brines and their use in drilling and completions.

In this episode we discuss the true meaning of wellbore strengthening and how we can use this type of program to help increase a well’s fracture gradient. We also go […]

In this episode Matt and Justin discuss the topic of wellbore instability. As the name implies, wellbore instability refers to wellbore that has the tendency to cave or collapse due […]

In this episode Matt and Justin discuss the topic of wellbore instability. As the name implies, wellbore instability refers to wellbore that has the tendency to cave or collapse due to unconsolidated formations, fractured formations and chemically/mechanically stressed shale. Drilling fluids have a key role in preventing such phenomenon.

Reservoir drill-in fluids are fairly special systems used to minimize formation damage. Matt and Justin review when a reservoir drill-in fluid is used, how they are designed, and how they […]

Reservoir drill in fluids are fairly special systems used to minimize formation damage. Matt and Justin review when a reservoir drill-in fluid is used, how they are designed, and how they are run in the field.

In this episode we discuss the true meaning of wellbore strengthening and how we can use this type of program to help increase a well’s fracture gradient. We also go through proper planning and lab testing to determine the right products and application for a given job.

Matt and Justin review the applications of conventional and low-clay/clay-free drilling fluids. They will discuss the differences in the products used and how low-clay/clay-free systems provide performance benefits in certain drilling environments.

We had a question about the difference between dispersed and non-dispersed water-based mud systems. In this episode, we will go over a brief summary of what they are and when […]

Matt and Justin review the applications of conventional and low-clay/clay-free drilling fluids. They will discuss the differences in the products used and how low-clay/clay-free systems provide performance benefits in certain drilling environments.