Cirkulationsvikt

Cirkulationsvikt, often translated as circulating weight or circulation density, is a term used in drilling operations in the oil and gas industry. It refers to the weight of the drilling fluid, or mud, that is in circulation at any given time. This includes the mud in the standpipe, Kelly, drill string, and the annulus. Understanding and controlling the cirkulationsvikt is crucial for maintaining wellbore stability, controlling formation pressures, and ensuring the efficient operation of the drilling process.

The cirkulationsvikt is influenced by several factors, including the mud weight itself, the geometry of the drill string and wellbore, and the flow rate of the mud. When the mud is pumped down the drill string, it exerts hydrostatic pressure on the formation. As it returns up the annulus, its effective weight can be altered by factors like gas entrainment or the presence of cuttings. Maintaining a consistent and predictable cirkulationsvikt helps drilling engineers to accurately calculate the bottom hole pressure, which is essential for preventing kicks (uncontrolled influx of formation fluids) or lost circulation (loss of drilling fluid into the formation). Monitoring the cirkulationsvikt allows for adjustments to be made to the mud properties or pumping parameters to optimize drilling performance and safety.