Mud Tank

A mud tank is a large container used to contain drilling fluid reserves, also known as drilling mud, for a drilling rig. Drilling fluid is used to reduce the friction on the drilling components to allow them to work faster and faster with less risk of breaking. Many companies produce and restructure mud tanks of various shapes and sizes for industrial use, and entrepreneurs specializing in cleaning tanks and other drilling equipment are also available. The cost for tanks and associated services varies greatly, especially when personal designs are involved.

Historically, wells in the soil near a well have been used to contain sludge, and mud tanks are sometimes referred to as mud wells in a reference to this. A modern mud tank is a large container, usually open over and divided into different compartments. In some situations, a plan can be used to reduce the risk of worker accidents, with a parapet and a gangway, allowing people to look into the tank to control the level and consistency of the drilling fluid.

New fluid can be periodically added, and components can be mixed in to modify the formulation if it is deemed necessary. Perforation mud acts as a lubricant and coolant and the demands placed on it are very high. It is essential to maintain a constant flow in a puncture site to prevent stoppages. If a plant runs out of fluid, closing it temporarily can be extremely expensive.

Several drilling fluid blends are used, depending on the type of drilling, the geology, and the equipment in use. The fluid tank to pump mud on and through the drill. Mud baths can be set to receive recycled drilling fluid, a common practice in many sites. In these situations, the fluid is pumped from the puncture site, passed through a series of tanks to separate the fluid from rocks and other debris, and then routed back into a mud tank.

These tanks can eventually become in-crusted with drilling mud and can be corroded by fluid components. For this reason, waste companies and periodically clean their tanks with high pressure cleaners and other equipment. A large company run their own mud tank cleaning and maintenance, while smaller companies can call a company to clean their mud tanks and prepare them for continuous service in the field.