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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAreas of Activity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The laboratory encompasses a wide range of research and services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Measurement of the technological properties of drilling fluids according to RD-39-2-645\u201381 and API 13B standards: density, apparent viscosity, static shear stress, filtration index, high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) filtration, cake friction coefficient, hydrogen ion concentration pH, total mineralization, concentration of Ca\u00b2\u207a and Mg\u00b2\u207a ions in the filtrate, KCl content, concentration of the colloidal phase, and stability and sedimentation indices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Research on the Rheological Properties of Drilling Fluids at Temperatures up to 90 \u00b0C.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Monitoring of the technological properties of drilling fluids directly during well drilling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Justification of optimal drilling fluid formulations for specific drilling conditions, including productive reservoir exposure and drilling in challenging conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Evaluation of the carrying capacity of drilling fluids and justification of well flushing regimes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Developing state equations for the rheological and thixotropic properties of drilling fluids, formulating recommendations for managing the hydrodynamic situation during technological operations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Research of filtration properties under high temperatures and pressures and justification of the corresponding regulations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/06\/image-24-1024x820.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSoftware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The scientific potential of the laboratory is enhanced by proprietary software developed by its staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Program “MudExpert”<\/strong> implements the method for selecting the optimal drilling mud formulation and ensures control of its technological properties at the well. The selection of the optimal formulation is performed using several approaches: regression models of technological properties based on reagent content, spline functions, and the method of discrete search, as well as direct experimental search. The criteria for optimality are the cost of the formulation, conformity of the solution’s properties to specified values, flow carrying capacity, and the stability of the formulation, including thermal stability. The program includes a database and provides complete support for experimental plans and statistical processing of the obtained data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Program “Rheometry”<\/strong> intended for the processing of rotational viscometry data and the assessment of the rheological properties of fluids. It is based on a method that utilizes the rigorous solution of the Couette flow equation in the gap between coaxial cylinders. The program allows selecting the most appropriate rheological model from the class of Newton, Schedov-Bingham, Ostwald, Herschel-Bulkley, Schulman-Kesson, and biviscous models, constructing estimates of their parameters and covariance matrix, as well as performing batch construction of state equations in the form of polynomial or spline models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laboratory Equipment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Density Definition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Areometer ABR-1M<\/strong> \u2014 a standard device for determining the density of drilling fluid according to RD-39-2-645\u201381. Simple and reliable in field and laboratory conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lever balance OFITE (API 13B)<\/strong> ensure accurate determination of drilling fluid density according to the international standard API 13B, which is necessary for comparing results with data from foreign partners and clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Definition of Conditional Viscosity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Viscometer VP-5<\/strong> is used for measuring the apparent viscosity of drilling fluids according to RD-39-2-645\u201381. Marsh Funnel (API 13B)<\/strong>\u2014 standard field instrument for operational viscosity control directly at the wellsite according to the API methodology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Static shear stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Device SNS-2<\/strong> designed to determine the static shear stress of the drilling fluid according to RD-39-2-645\u201381. This parameter characterizes the ability of the fluid to keep the drilled cuttings in suspension when circulation is stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Filtration Index<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Device VM-6<\/strong> used for measuring the filtration index of drilling fluids according to RD-39-2-645\u201381. Determining water loss is key for assessing the fluid’s ability to form a quality filter cake on the wellbore wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tabletop Filter Press (API 13B)<\/strong> designed for measuring static filtration at room temperature and a pressure difference of 0.7 MPa in accordance with the international API standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) Filtration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Filter Press HPHT (API 13B)<\/strong> simulates downhole conditions and allows for determining the filtration properties of drilling fluids at temperatures up to 175 \u00b0C and pressures over 13.8 MPa (2000 psi). As a replacement for standard filter paper, ceramic disks with pores of varying diameters can be used, enabling the modeling of real formation characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rheological Properties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Viscometer OFITE 800 (API 13B)<\/strong>\u2014 8-speed rotational device for determining the rheological model and properties of drilling fluid, as well as static shear stress at room and elevated temperatures up to 90 \u00b0C. The measurement results are input data for the “Rheometry” program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Friction coefficient of the peel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Device KTK-2<\/strong> designed to determine the static friction coefficient of the filter cake. A filter with a cake is placed on the cylindrical surface of the moving plate, and a cylinder is placed on top of it. After 10 minutes, the plate is set in motion, and the table is raised at an angle to the horizontal to record the minimum angle \u03c6 at which the cylinder loses equilibrium. The friction coefficient is determined as K = tg \u03c6. This indicator is critical for assessing the risk of drilling tool sticking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chemical analysis of the filtrate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
pH meter<\/strong> used to determine the hydrogen index of the drilling fluid\u2014a parameter that characterizes the concentration of hydrogen ions and affects the efficiency of chemical reagents and the condition of the formations in the wellbore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Retort OFITE (API 13B)<\/strong> allows determining the volumetric content of solid phase, oil, and water in drilling fluid by means of distillation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For determining the concentration of ions Ca\u00b2\u207a and Mg\u00b2\u207a<\/strong> in the filtrate, complexometric titration is used. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/06\/image-25-1024x794.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nScientific Activities and Partnership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The laboratory conducts research projects commissioned by oil and gas companies, monitors drilling fluids directly at wells, and develops optimal formulations for complex geological conditions. The combination of modern equipment, proprietary software, and the expertise of the scientific and pedagogical team enables solving current drilling challenges\u2014from designing formulations to hydraulic calculations for well flushing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The laboratory is open for partnership with oil and gas companies, research institutions, and educational organizations. We invite collaboration in conducting research, enhancing staff qualifications, and implementing joint scientific projects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Educational and Research Laboratory of Drilling Fluids operates based on the Department of Well Drilling at Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas. The laboratory is a modern scientific and educational center where students and oil and gas industry professionals master methods of researching and selecting drilling fluids, while researchers conduct applied studies […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-130","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research-infrastructure"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=130"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":356,"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130\/revisions\/356"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=130"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=130"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discover.nung.edu.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}