AES Drilling Fluids

How can you learn what operators and service companies are saying about the state of our industry? Justin and Matt discuss what companies talk about and how you can learn.

How can you learn what operators and service companies are saying about the state of our industry? Justin and Matt discuss what companies talk about and how you can learn.

A few years ago, the API updated the testing procedure for shaker screen classification. Matt and Justin discuss how screens are sized and the limitations to keep in mind.

A few years ago, the API updated the testing procedure for shaker screen classification. Matt and Justin discuss how screens are sized and the limitations to keep in mind.

What is it like to open a new mud plant? Matt goes on location with Zane Yastro, Regional Operations Manager at our new Midland Mud Plant, to talk about it.

What is it like to open a new mud plant? Matt goes on location with Zane Yastro, Regional Operations Manager at our new Midland Mud Plant, to talk about it.

When you’re living out of a trailer and cooking for yourself, the food can get pretty bland. Matt and Justin discuss why a good meal can be great for rig morale and share some of their favorite memories.

When you’re living out of a trailer and cooking for yourself, the food can get pretty bland. Matt and Justin discuss why a good meal can be great for rig morale and share some of their favorite memories.

Matt and Justin welcome a very special guest – Matt’s Dad, Larry Offenbacher, to the show. Matt’s Dad shares his experience of 40 years in the oilfield and a few tips for surviving the energy industry.

Matt and Justin welcome a very special guest – Matt’s Dad, Larry Offenbacher, to the show. Matt’s Dad shares his experience of 40 years in the oilfield and a few tips for surviving the energy industry.

Extreme pressure testing is supposed to determine the film strength of a lubricant, but the test methods are…questionable, which is why Matt hates them.

Extreme pressure testing is supposed to determine the film strength of a lubricant, but the test methods are…questionable, which is why Matt hates them.

Expecting a water flow, you went ahead and drilled with WBM instead of OBM – and now you’re encountering a water flow. What next?

Expecting a water flow, you went ahead and drilled with WBM instead of OBM – and now you’re encountering a water flow. What next?

Are invert emulsion lubricants snake oil? Matt finally found one he likes – and he tells Justin why.

Are invert emulsion lubricants snake oil? Matt finally found one he likes – and he tells Justin why.

We are no miracle workers, but sometimes we are asked to perform many. As a drilling fluids provider, we always get questions – what can we do about the mud during a water flow?

etimes we are asked to perform many. As a drilling fluids provider, we always get questions - what can we do about the mud during a water flow?

What’s in a name? Matt and Justin discuss the similarities and differences in friction reducer, ROP enhancer, and lubricant in the fluids domain.

What’s in a name? Matt and Justin discuss the similarities and differences in friction reducer, ROP enhancer, and lubricant in the fluids domain.

What’s it like to work in another country? Is it really all that different? Matt had the fortune of working internationally early in his career and describes some of his experiences as an American abroad.

What's it like to work in another country? Is it really all that different? Matt had the fortune of working internationally early in his career and describes some of his experiences as an American abroad.

Let’s face it – there are a lot of green hard hats out there right now. Some of us have experience but just got back to work. Justin and Matt review some drilling fluid and general pointers for rig safety.

Let's face it - there are a lot of green hard hats out there right now. Some of us have experience but just got back to work. Justin and Matt review some drilling fluid and general pointers for rig safety.

PHPA, Amines, and Glycols Why do we seldom hear about glycols, and how does cloud point impact performance? Why does it seem PHPA and amines replaced glycols? Justin and Matt dig into some of the history and applications of each.

PHPA, Amines, and Glycols Why do we seldom hear about glycols, and how does cloud point impact performance? Why does it seem PHPA and amines replaced glycols? Justin and Matt dig into some of the history and applications of each.

Xanthan gum is a staple of water-based drilling fluids (and fake cheese). What makes it so special? Are there any cheaper alternatives?

Xanthan gum is a staple of water-based drilling fluids (and fake cheese). What makes it so special? Are there any cheaper alternatives?

Warehouses and mud plants are essential to drilling fluid maintenance. What are these facilities responsible for, and what does it take to keep them up and running? Justin and Matt discuss.

Warehouses and mud plants are essential to drilling fluid maintenance. What are these facilities responsible for, and what does it take to keep them up and running? Justin and Matt discuss.

One of the most important aspects of drilling a well is making sure you’re legally clear to do it. We’ll talk with Zach and Chuck from Oliva Gibbs, attorneys who address complex mineral rights issues in multiple basins across the United States.

One of the most important aspects of drilling a well is making sure you’re legally clear to do it. We’ll talk with Zach and Chuck from Oliva Gibbs, attorneys who address complex mineral rights issues in multiple basins across the United States. Check them out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oliva-gibbs/

The capillary suction timer, or CST, is sometimes used to test shale inhibitors. And Matt hates it.

The capillary suction timer, or CST, is sometimes used to test shale inhibitors. And Matt hates it.

When it comes to being offshore, logistics are an essential part of an efficient drilling operation. Justin and Matt discuss the challenges of managing materials, boats, and fighting for space in the sack room.

When it comes to being offshore, logistics are an essential part of an efficient drilling operation. Justin and Matt discuss the challenges of managing materials, boats, and fighting for space in the sack room.

Every year, we have a pretty special group of interns work with us and bring their energy to the office. Get to know two from this year’s group and hear their perspective.

Every year, we have a pretty special group of interns work with us and bring their energy to the office. Get to know two from this year's group and hear their perspective.

Bigger. More tanks. A riser. Let’s talk about the things that make a deep-water rig circulating system different than a traditional land setup.

Bigger. More tanks. A riser. Let's talk about the things that make a deep-water rig circulating system different than a traditional land setup.

Matt and Justin dive into circulating systems, going over the process of where the mud starts and where it ends (spoiler alert it involves the Flowline).

Matt and Justin dive into circulating systems, going over the process of where the mud starts and where it ends (spoiler alert it involves the Flowline).

We’re back at work and there are a lot of new faces at the rig site. What can you do as a mud engineer to make things with your derrick hand go as smoothly as possible?

We’re back at work and there are a lot of new faces at the rig site. What can you do as a mud engineer to make things with your derrick hand go as smoothly as possible?

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about the whole fluid circulating system. Justin and Matt go back to basics to discuss the tanks and volumes that hold drilling fluids.

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about the whole fluid circulating system. Justin and Matt go back to basics to discuss the tanks and volumes that hold drilling fluids.

You’re about to come out of the hole. Is the mud in good shape? Should you treat now or just wait until you’re back on bottom? Justin and Matt discuss.

You’re about to come out of the hole. Is the mud in good shape? Should you treat now or just wait until you’re back on bottom? Justin and Matt discuss.

Flipping things around from last week, what are things to think about when you are drilling with brine and decide to make the change to oil-based mud?

Displacing from brine to OBM during drilling:Flipping things around from last week, what are things to think about when you are drilling with brine and decide to make the change to oil-based mud?