Methylene blue test (MBT) in water-based mud

Methylene blue test (MBT) or cation exchange capacity is used to determine the amount of reactive clay (clay minerals) in water-based mud. Dye methylene blue (cationic dye) is used for this test because it powerfully magnetized negative ions in the clay. Typically, the test is shown as a function of the concentration of reactive clay in pounds per barrel, equivalent bentonite.

 

 

Even as other properties of the mud, you need to keep track of MBT and observed for changes in trend. If you have seen an increase of MBT, it indicates that the concentration of solids in the drilling mud drilling increases. For proper operation of drilling, MBT should be maintained at 15 pounds per barrel or less.

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