AES Drilling Fluids

CO2 in OBM usually doesn't create a lot of problems...but could it? Justin and Matt talk about what to consider - and what is less concerning when drilling in CO2-rich areas.

Everyone’s talking about AI. But what does it really mean for drilling, operations, and day-to-day workflows? Justin and Matt unpack the benefits… and the blind spots.

Happy Thanksgiving 2025, ya'll! Justin and Matt share their gratitude with everyone working in the field. 

Bids come in all shapes and sizes. Justin and Matt discuss the challenges of preparing (and evaluating) a drilling fluids proposal. 

Volume accounting is essential for a lot of reasons. What happens when the math doesn't work out? Justin and Matt discuss. 

Not all wells are equal. Some require big budgets while others require smaller budgets. Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Justin and Matt discuss the differences and how mud programs are designed around these budgets.

There has been some interesting commentary from oil and gas market experts, and Justin and Matt discuss an interesting take from Arjun Murti and his insightful Super-Spiked podcast.

We've talked about mixing heavy mud, but what are the practical considerations for drilling with it? Justin and Matt talk mixing, equipment, and other challenges. 

The IEA did an interesting thing lately - it acknowledged how important oil and gas investment will be for the future. Justin and Matt talk about the pivot and how the industry has a lot more work ahead of it to supply the world's energy. 

There are a lot of challenging formations downhole, and many of those challenges start with clay composition. Justin and Matt walk through the basics of clay chemistry.

We drill a lot of laterals, but what about drilling more than one lateral from the same central wellbore? Justin and Matt discuss the different types and a few considerations that make multilaterals simple - or very complex. 

Field trials are just what they sound like - trials. What are some ways to make sure they are as insightful as possible when you're seeing something go downhole for the first time?

Listener request: What does it take to be successful in mud school? Justin and Matt compare their experiences, the challenges, and what to take away from this essential training course for mud engineers.

For the last of this series, we'll run through the common contaminants for oil- and synthetic-based drilling fluids.

Continuing our series on contamination and treatment, Justin and Matt run through some more common contaminants and treatment methods for water-based muds.

Justin and Matt start a short series on contaminants and treatment, starting with acid gases in water-based muds.

Justin and Matt talk about the dynamics between the operator, the mud company, the office, and the field. Like any relationship, it's complicated!

How high is too high for a pH? Justin and Matt break down what pH is, how it impacts drilling, and the added risk of going too high in some situations.

A listener was reaching the breaking point on mud weight. With all those solids, how does one get a 600 rev/min reading? Justin and Matt talk viscometers and how to get readings outside standard ranges. 

It seems simple enough - is it dispersed or not? Justin and Matt discuss non-dispersed and dispersed systems - and what lies in between. 

Hydraulic modeling is an essential tool for drilling fluid engineering. Justin and Matt discuss aspects of hydraulic modeling tools and how they are used. 

Third-party labs have the potential to provide an outside perspective on testing accuracy and avoid bias. Justin and Matt talk about when they are brought into the conversation, run through a not-so-great situation, and what they hope collaboration can become. 

High fluid loss squeezes have specific properties to address challenging lost circulation events. Matt and Justin run through design - and the squeeze procedure.

There's been a lot going on in the news lately on the oil price. Justin and Matt talk about some of the factors impacting how oil and gas prices move as of late. 

Servicing the rig is one thing. Getting materials to and from the location at the right time is another. Justin and Matt discuss the logistical challenges surrounding drilling fluid logistics. 

Episode 289 | Corrosion

Episode 288 | Interview with Josh Young

Episde 285 | High Density Mud

Justin and Matt talk about the latest drivers of rig count and dig into a little philosophy on troubleshooting evidence.

Matt takes Justin through the third and final AADE paper about how high-powered magnets show there is a lot more metal in the mud than people might think - and where it comes from. 

Will Petty discusses his AADE paper on mechanical specific energy and lubricant performance evaluation. 

This short series will walk us through AES technical papers presented at the AADE National Technical Conference and Exhibition. First up is Richard Toomes, who shares his paper on horseshoe well design. 

How are lubricant providers cheating on cheese? Matt and Justin discuss ways to mitigate cheese - and why some of them have some serious downside. 

X-ray diffraction or XRD is a helpful tool, but how does it work? Where is it useful? Justin and Matt break it down. 

There is a tendency to look at the cost of a barrel of mud in isolation. Justin and Matt talk about the big picture and other cost factors to consider in the drilling program. 

Corrosion is inevitable, but you can slow it down. Matt and Justin run through the basics.

Josh Young of Bison Interests talks tariffs and market uncertainty with Matt. 

There is a lot of interest in nanoparticles and how they impact fluid properties. What are they and what can these tiny particles do?

The AADE NTCE is coming! Justin and Matt give a preview and hope to see you there!

How heavy can you go? What's a practical maximum mud weight and what makes it so difficult as you weight up? Justin and Matt discuss. 

What is kill mud? Justin and Matt discuss its use and some considerations for mixing and storage

What is kill mud? Justin and Matt discuss its use and some considerations for mixing and storage

The extremes of drilling can make fluids compress under pressure and expand at high temperature. How does that work and what's the impact? 

The extremes of drilling can make fluids compress under pressure and expand at high temperature. How does that work and what's the impact? 

Why all the talk about liquefied natural gas lately? Justin and Matt discuss how new gas terminals have the potential to put a few more mud engineers to work. 

Why all the talk about liquefied natural gas lately? Justin and Matt discuss how new gas terminals have the potential to put a few more mud engineers to work. 

When it comes to drilling fluid, how low can you go? Justin and Matt discuss low density options. 

When it comes to drilling fluid, how low can you go? Justin and Matt discuss low density options. 

Water-based mud in unconventional wells is a hot topic. Justin and Matt break down some considerations when making the switch from oil-based mud.

It’s asphalt and it’s sulfonated. What does that even mean? Justin and Matt run through the properties and applications of a pretty helpful additive.

How does cold weather affect drilling fluids? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin discuss pour point, difficulties on rig sites, and personal stories.

What causes stuck pipes? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin run through the scenarios of stuck pipes.

What are halides? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin breaks down what halide brines are.

Formate brines are another useful tool in the drilling fluid toolbox. Justin and Matt talk about benefits and some of the issues to consider with formate brines.

What goes with what? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Justin and and Matt discuss why some salts just don't want to go together - in this case, sodium chloride and calcium chloride.

We wish all of our listeners a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

How much longer can lateral wells go? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin dive into the complexities of drilling extended laterals, the challenges of solids control, the advancement of modern rigs, and much more.

Supply chain can pose huge implications for drilling fluids companies. Matt and Justin discuss the intricacies of the supply chain with barite, chemicals, and more.

Justin and Matt wishes all of our listeners a joyous and safe Thanksgiving!

We're drilling longer laterals, and we usually do it with oil-based mud. Would a lubricant make any difference? Matt and Justin discuss reasons for and against.

Many of us are used to drilling overbalanced. Justin and Matt compare and discuss the basics of underbalanced and managed pressure drilling techniques.

What does it take to get the best out of products? The mixing system and even the order of additions have an impact. Tune in to hear Justin and Matt discuss the latest mixing best practices.

Justin and Matt dig deep into some big words for key molecules in synthetic-base oils. In this episode, they discuss olefins and paraffins - common buzzwords when picking a base oil. 

Graphite is used for lubricity, loss prevention, and lost circulation. What are the different types of graphite and what makes them different?

Blackwater is key to effective dispersion when running a lignite/lignosulfonate system. Justin and Matt discuss what it is and why it's important. 

Why do we sometimes drill our surface interval with a different rig? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Justin and Matt discuss the drivers to use a spudder rig for the first portion of the well.

Why do we sometimes drill our surface interval with a different rig? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Justin and Matt discuss the drivers to use a spudder rig for the first portion of the well.

Tune into this episode of The Flowline - OBM Series as Matt and Justin discuss filtration control in oil-based mud.

We have a great question from LinkedIn – a listener asked Justin and Matt for their perspective on an article.

Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Justin and Matt break down their approach to a record-breaking vertical well.

Why does Matt hate base oil?

How does the internal phase affect an oil-based mud? Tune into this episode of The Flowline - OBM Series as Matt and Justin talk about the internal phase, how it affects many aspects of a well and much more.

Tune into this new Oil-Based Mud Series as Matt and Justin talk about viscosifiers, how they work - and the advantages and limitations that they bring.

Not all makeup water used for drilling fluids is created equal. How can you tell if the water on location is compatible? Matt and Justin run through some checks and considerations before you get mixing. 

Another listener's request just came in from LinkedIn! Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin discuss filter breakers – what they are, how they work, and when they are used.

MSE (Mechanical Specific Energy) isn't directly tied to drilling fluids, but drilling fluids touches just about everything. Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin discuss what MSE is, how it affects drilling fluids, and much more.

Is "Surfactant" something you would like to learn more about? Tune in for this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin answer questions on what surfactant does, what hydrophile-lipophile balance is, and much more!

How can E&P operators and service providers create and maintain a successful relationship? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin answer a series of questions on the relationship between operators and service providers.

AES is always innovating in new, exciting technology. With AI at the forefront of technology, how could AI apply to the mud world? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin discuss use cases for AI to solve drilling fluid problems.

Are you paying attention to the gel strength on your mud reports? Tune into this episode of The Flowline with Matt and Justin as they explain gel strength, the issues with progressive gels, and much more!

Have you ever wondered what the life of a mud engineer is like? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin give insights on their career paths, how they transitioned from the field to the office, and much more!

Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin discusses scale inhibitors.

Horseshoe wells are in the news again. Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Justin and Matt revisit the horseshoe well concept and some fluid practices to make sure these distinctive wells succeed.

How is the oil and gas industry doing from an investor's standpoint? Join us on this exciting episode of The Flowline as Matt and Josh Young, Chief Investment Officer and Founder of Bison Interests, dive into the overview of our industry.

Continuing our Water-Based Mud series, Justin and Matt talk about the different types of defoamers, how they work - and things to avoid needing them in the first place.

One of the main culprits of thick water-based mud is flocculation. Thinners are one of the solutions for this issue. Tune into this episode of the WBM Series as Matt and Justin delve into the properties and use cases of thinners.

A Flowline listener asked about glycols and choosing the cloud point for the best shale inhibition performance. Justin and Matt provide more detail on glycols and a strategy for selection. 

Water and clays aren't always the best combination. What are the water-based mud products that inhibit shale interaction? Tune into this episode of The #Flowline - WBM Series as Matt and Justin discuss shale inhibitors!

Depending on the drilling conditions, alkalinity and pH need to be a fine-tuned science. In this episode of the #WBM Series, Alkalinity, Matt and Justin discuss the sources of alkaline, how they work, and where they fit into the whole picture!

Tune into this Water-Based Mud Series episode as Justin and Matt sits down to discuss why filtration control agents are used, incompatibility with cationic and anionic products, and much more!

Water-based muds require viscosifiers compatible with the base fluid. Several kinds of viscosifiers provide quality hole cleaning and solid-suspension characteristics. Tune into this episode of the #WBM Series as Matt and Justin discuss why viscosifiers are needed, the different kinds of viscosifiers, and much more!

In this new series of The #Flowline, Matt and Justin go in-depth into water-based mud. Each episode will break down different components and key functions of WBM. Tune into this episode of the #WBM Series, as our hosts talk about all things base fluid in water-based mud.

Too often, we assume there is sag and cause the ensuing panic. But, do we really have sag? Tune into this episode of the Flowline, as Matt and Justin dive into the conditions that induce sag, evidence-based questions to diagnose sag, and much more!

In this episode of The #Flowline, we answer a listener's request. What is "AES Culture" and what makes us unique? Tune into this exciting episode as Matt and Justin share their perspective on our company's culture.

One of our lab's most requested tests is XRD (X-ray diffraction). So, why has it become such a buzzword? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Justin and Matt break down what it is, why it's useful, and its added value.

Looking for a new book or movie to dive into?

Can you really hate an inanimate molded piece of plastic? Justin talks to Matt about the sag shoe test - what it is...and why he hates it.

Altered volcanic ash can create havoc while drilling. Justin and Matt break down why it's an issue – and anything you can do when encountering this troublesome material.

Justin and Matt talk about screen blinding - what it is, what you can do about it, and why people sometimes get it wrong. 

There's lots of buzz about PFAS (poly-fluoroalkyl substances). We don't use them, but people keep asking about them like we do. Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Justin and Matt explain what PFAS are, how they are used, and why we don't use them.

It's 2024 and things are picking up. So, let's analyze 2024's landscape, navigating knowns and confronting uncertainties. Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin talk about what they think lies ahead this year.