Custom-Engineered Solutions
for Underbalanced Drilling

Aerated-Fluid Drilling


The aeration of fluid with compressed air or nitrogen
is used to lower the weight of the column of fluid on
the formation and to reduce the potential for lost circulation, without changing the properties of the
drilling fluid. A smooth transition can be made from a foam system to an aerated system by minimizing or eliminating the surfactant and increasing the Liquid Volume Fraction (LVF). Combining the advantages of
a conventional drilling fluid with air drilling techniques, aerated-fluid drilling is best suited for use in highly unstable formations where fluid loss is a concern.
This method has the slowest penetration rate of the underbalanced techniques.

Aerated-fluid systems can be the most corrosive of all reduced-pressure drilling methods. With the proper selection of supply water, pH control, and use of Total Separation Solutions corrosion inhibitors, aerated fluid
systems have been successfully used worldwide.


Underbalanced Drilling

Air-Gas Drilling Techniques

Dry Air-Gas Drilling

Mist Drilling

Foam Drilling

Aerated-Fluid Drilling