scope:

This Recommended Practice provides standard procedures for determining the following characteristics of oil-based drilling fluids:

a) drilling fluid density (mud weight);

b) viscosity and gel strength;

c) filtration;

d) oil, water and solids contents;

e) alkalinity, chloride content and calcium content;

f) electrical stability;

g) lime and calcium contents, calcium chloride and sodium chloride contents;

h) low-gravity solids and weighting material contents.

Annexes A, B, C, D, H, I, K and L provide additional test methods that may optionally be used for the determination of

i) shear strength,

j) oil and water contents from cuttings,

k) drilling fluid activity,

l) aniline point,

m) cuttings activity,

n) active sulfides.

o) PPA test method for cells with set screws.

p) PPA test method for cells with screw-on caps.

Annexes F, G and J provide procedures that may optionally be used for

q) sampling, inspection and rejection,

r) rig-site sampling,

s) calibration and verification of glassware, thermometers, viscometers, retort kit cups and drilling fluid balances.

Annex E provides examples of calculations for

t) lime, salinity and solids content.

Annex M contains an example of a drilling fluid report form.