Possibilities of Applying the Vom Berg Rheological Model in Research on Polymer-Modified Drilling Muds

Abstract

This article examines the potential application of the Vom Berg rheological model in the technology of polymer-modified drilling muds. In recent years, intensive research has been conducted at the Faculty of Drilling, Oil, and Gas to optimize procedures for selecting rheological models for technological fluids used in drilling operations. One of the key outcomes of this research is the proprietary RheoSolution methodology, applied in this study to assess the adaptability of the Vom Berg rheological model. Originally developed for analyzing the rheology of cement slurries in civil engineering, this model has been utilized here to describe the relationship between shear stress and shear rate in polymer-modified drilling muds.
As part of the research, laboratory experiments were conducted at the Drilling Fluids Laboratory of the Faculty of Drilling, Oil, and Gas, focusing on drilling muds modified with xanthan biopolymer. The obtained results served as the basis for a comparative analysis of the classical API methodology and the proposed RheoSolution approach in determining the rheological parameters of the tested fluids. Special attention was given to the applicability of the Vom Berg model as a tool for a more precise characterization of drilling mud behavior under dynamic conditions. This article is part of a broader series of publications aimed at demonstrating the utility and potential advantages of the RheoSolution methodology in studies on the rheological properties of technological drilling muds.