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Oil Drilling Mud System

The Oil Drilling Mud System, also known as the solids control system or mud circulation system, acts as the “kidney” for oil and gas drilling operations. By connecting directly with the drilling rig and mud pump, it forms a closed-loop circulation system designed to clean and recycle drilling fluids efficiently.

KES Separation offers customized mud systems suitable for various drilling rig sizes, ranging from 250HP to 3000HP, with capacities tailored to specific project requirements.

Four-Phase Solids Control Process

Phase 1: Shale Shaker:The first defense line. It removes large solid particles above 100 microns.

Phase 2: Desander Cyclones:Utilizing centrifugal force to remove abrasive cuttings and solids down to 40 microns.

Phase 3: Desilter Cyclones:Further purification to remove fine cuttings down to 20 microns.

Phase 4: Decanter Centrifuge:The final “mud weight cutting” process. It removes ultrafine solids between 2-7 microns to recover valuable barite and control mud density.

A complete mud system consists of multiple functional tanks

Tank Type

Standard Configuration & Function

Shaker Tank

Normally equipped with 2 or 3 units of shakers, desander, and desilter for primary separation.

Centrifuge Tank

Dedicated area equipped with high-speed and low-speed decanter centrifuges.

Mixing Tank

Equipped with mud agitators, mud hoppers, and jet mud mixers for adding chemicals and bentonite.

Storage Tank

Equipped with agitators to prevent settling; connects directly to the mud pump for active circulation.

Trip Tank

Used for monitoring hole fill during tripping operations.

System Configuration & Tank Modules

A complete KES mud system is constructed from specialized tank modules, each designed for a specific function within the closed loop. Processing & Storage: The Shaker Tank serves as the primary reception point, housing the shakers and hydrocyclones. The Centrifuge Tank provides a dedicated station for high-speed and low-speed decanter centrifuges. Conditioning & Active Circulation: The Mixing Tank, equipped with powerful mud agitators, hoppers, and jet mixers, allows for the rapid addition of chemicals and bentonite to condition the fluid. Meanwhile, high-capacity Storage Tanks with continuous agitation prevent settling, ensuring active mud is always ready for the pumps.

Customer Benefits

Operational Excellence Customized for Any Rig Size

From mobile workover rigs to deep-well land rigs, our systems are scalable from 250HP to 3000HP. This flexibility ensures you get a fit-for-purpose solution that minimizes footprint while maximizing processing capacity.

Closed-Loop Efficiency

By integrating all cleaning phases into a unified loop, our systems maximize fluid recovery and minimize waste generation. This “Zero Discharge” capability significantly reduces mud costs and environmental compliance risks.

Contact Us

Ready to Optimize Your Drilling Fluid Loop? Don’t let inefficient solids control slow down your ROP. Contact KES Separation today to design a bespoke mud system tailored to your rig’s specific horsepower and capacity needs. 

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