Oil Drilling Solids Control System

Oil drilling solids control systems process drilling mud through shakers, mud cleaners, and centrifuges. The system separates solids and recovers reusable fluid for drilling operations.

Product PDF Product Catalogue Inquiry

Description

A solids control system treats and recycles drilling fluid so the mud can return to the active circulation system. It is also called a drilling fluid purification system.

The system is built around 3 to 15 interconnected mud tanks and combines solids control equipment with pumps, mixing equipment, and gas handling where required. Reference systems cover wells drilled to between 2,000 and 10,000 m.

Mud tanks store active drilling fluid and support the treatment equipment. Internal manifolds and valves connect the tanks and treatment equipment into one circulation system.

Key Advantages

Compact layout. Tank-mounted equipment and integrated manifolds reduce the footprint compared with field-assembled systems.
Flexible mud routing. Valves allow individual tanks or compartments to be isolated, drained, or used for different mud conditions while maintaining the main circulation flow.
Factory pre-assembly. TR builds the complete system on its tank sets at the Xi'an plant. The package is shipped ready for site connection, with external piping and power connections completed at the rig site.
Site adaptability. Corrosion-resistant coatings, weatherproof enclosures, drip-pan containment, and Ex-rated electrical equipment can be added according to site conditions.

Working Principle

The primary solids control train consists of four stages: shale shaker, vacuum degasser, desander, and desilter.

Stage 1: Shale Shaker. Removes drilled cuttings larger than the screen openings from returned drilling fluid.

Stage 2: Vacuum Degasser. Removes entrained gas from gas-cut drilling fluid before it moves to the downstream solids-control equipment.

Stage 3: Desander. Hydrocyclones separate coarser suspended solids by centrifugal force.

Stage 4: Desilter. Hydrocyclones remove finer solids in the 15 to 44 μm range before the treated mud returns to the active mud tanks.

Decanter Centrifuge. Operates as a slipstream treatment unit for fine-solids removal. It can target solids in the 2 μm range, depending on mud properties and operating conditions. Medium- and high-speed configurations are used for barite recovery or low-gravity solids removal.

Solids Control System Configuration

Equipment	ZJ70	ZJ50	ZJ40	ZJ30	ZJ20
Mud Tank	≥270 m³/h	≥200 m³/h	≥180 m³/h	≥160 m³/h	≥160 m³/h
Storage Tank	≥160 m³/h	≥120 m³/h	≥80 m³/h	≥80 m³/h	×
Shale Shaker	≥360 m³/h	≥280 m³/h	≥240 m³/h	≥180 m³/h	≥140 m³/h
Vacuum Degasser	≥360 m³/h	≥300 m³/h	≥240 m³/h	√	√
Desander	≥320 m³/h	≥240 m³/h	≥200 m³/h	≥180 m³/h	≥120 m³/h
Desilter	≥320 m³/h	≥240 m³/h	≥200 m³/h	√	×
Medium-speed Centrifuge	≥50 m³/h	≥50 m³/h	≥40 m³/h	√	√
High-speed Centrifuge	≥40 m³/h	≥40 m³/h	√	×	×
Jet Mud Mixer	≥300 m³/h	≥240 m³/h	≥200 m³/h	≥180 m³/h	≥120 m³/h
Shear Pump	≥120 m³/h	≥120 m³/h	≥120 m³/h	≥120 m³/h	≥100 m³/h
Charging Pump	≥240 m³/h	≥200 m³/h	≥180 m³/h	≥150 m³/h	≥100 m³/h

Applications and Project Cases

TR packages solids control systems for onshore oil and natural gas drilling. Typical programs include deep wells, high-temperature wells, and intervals with heavy solids loading.

ZJ50 drilling mud system for Indonesian Project ZJ30 solids control system for Kazakhstan drilling ZJ70 mud system for Argentine drilling rig

Selection Guide

The right configuration depends on the rig model, circulating flow rate, active mud volume, tank space, solids loading, and mud properties.

For weighted mud where barite recovery is important, a medium-speed centrifuge is typically used. A high-speed centrifuge is suitable when the main concern is removing low-gravity solids. Gas-cut mud requires a vacuum degasser and suitable gas-handling equipment.

Tank capacity and layout are based on active mud volume, storage requirements, mixing duty, and transfer routes. Hazardous-area classification and local power supply also determine the electrical configuration.

TR sizes the mud tanks, solids control equipment, pumps, manifolds, and mixing system as one package. Each proposal can include a system layout and bill of materials based on the project requirements.

TR Manufacturing Capability

TR Solids Control manufactures solids control equipment and complete drilling fluid systems in Xi'an, China, under an ISO 9001 quality management system, with API certification covering its solids control products. Factory assembly, wiring, integration, and function testing allow the piping and electrical interfaces to be checked before the system reaches the rig site.