Gas hydrates present a number of challenges in drilling, completion, and production operations. What causes them and what prevents them from forming?

What are our options when we need to change the mud weight while drilling? Is one solution better than another? Can solids control do all the work? Justin and Matt discuss options and selection factors to adjust drilling fluid density.

What do you get when you combine the oilfield, charities, and an organization that brings people together? Magic. In this episode, Justin brings in Adelaide Nortier, Strategic Marketing at AES, to meet the masterminds behind Social Octane. They sit down with founders Marc L’heureux and Madison Lenberg to discuss the growth of Social Octane, views […]

Cement integrity is critical for both well security and production performance. What can you do with a drilling fluid to make sure the cement job succeeds? Justin and Matt review drilling fluid properties for effective cement displacement.

Foaming usually happens at the worst possible time. What’s causing it and what can you do about it? Justin and Matt will talk through the mechanisms, prevention, and treatment of drilling fluid foaming issues.

There are all kinds of drilling fluid base oil options out there. We’ve talked a lot about more environmentally friendly options, but in this podcast, we’ll talk about price-driven options and if they’re really that cheap after all. 

How can you predict wellbore instability? What are some of the key terms and concepts? Matt and Justin provide an overview – and, of course, talk about how it all relates to mud.

So, there’s a tool failure. You know where this is headed. What can you do at the rig site to gather information and help identify the cause? No matter what they say, it might not be the mud after all.

So, you see some cavings at the shakers? Is it a mud weight issue? Could it be the water phase salinity? Something else? Justin and Matt take you through some steps to gather the data to start troubleshooting.

Lost circulation happens all the time in the mud business. It’s expensive and no good field hand wants it to get out of hand on their watch. We’ll discuss key pieces of information to diagnose, treat, and prevent future issues.

As a mud engineer, what are the first steps you take when you hear those dreaded words “we’re stuck”? What kind of information do you collect, and where do you start? Matt and Justin walk us through the steps to take, starting with removing the panic from the scenario.

What do the global supply chain, inflation, and barite have in common? Plenty. In this episode, we will talk with Rory Allen, Managing Director of Anglo Pacific Minerals about shipping, barite mines, and the impact all of it has on drilling fluids.

As with many things in the oilfield, there’s more than one way to skin a potato. In this case, there’s more than one way to mud up a brine. In this episode, Matt and Justin compare and contrast different approaches and products that can be used to adjust properties in a brine-based fluid.

What’s going on with OPEC+? Are things getting more expensive for the long haul or just re-balancing from disruptions due to COVID 19? This week, we sit down with Josh Young, Chief Investment Officer of Bison Interests, to discuss the state of the oilfield and many of the factors that are impacting the oilfield and […]

We have lightly touched on Amines when talking about shale inhibition in other episodes. This week, we dive deeper into the details from a chemistry standpoint, discussing reactions and how Amines apply to drilling fluids.

Mud engineers just watch TV and perform mud checks, right? Definitely not. Justin and Matt walk us through a day on location as a mud engineer – minus the bologna sandwich Justin likes to eat.

Hot or Cold? Let Justin and Matt warm you up with some banter about Temperature Modeling. There is a lot of information that can affect your drilling outcomes, we discuss the complexities that come with temperature modeling in this episode of the #Flowline.

Why is it important to properly collect, categorize and label mud samples? What happens to that sample once it gets to the lab? Matt and Justin discuss sampling and why correct procedures make all the difference.

It’s not anything fancy, but let’s discuss Relaxed Filtrate Systems. In episode 114 of the Flowline, Matt and Justin give a quick history of filtrate systems, what they are and why they work.

Justin and Matt revisit brine fluids in this weeks episode of the Flowline. Part 2 of this series touches on different applications and functions on brine in the drilling fluids world.

The term ‘surfactant-based’ is thrown around a lot when discussing drilling fluid materials  – but what does that actually mean? In this episode, Matt and Justin discuss different types of surfactants, why they are used and key aspects in relation to drilling fluids.

PHPA does some great things for shale inhibition. Matt and Justin discuss what it is, how it is used, and offer a few pointers.

Uintaite, more commonly known as Gilsonite®, is a natural, resinous hydrocarbon found in the Uintah Basin in northeastern Utah. It is used to reduce fluid loss, is efficient at mitigating stuck pipe, and enhancing wellbore stabilization. In this episode, we dig into its properties and drilling fluid applications further.

In this episode, Matt and Justin had the pleasure of chatting with Nicolas Acuna, 2021 Petroleum Engineering graduate of the University of Houston & President of the UH AADE Chapter. They gain his perspective on the industry, what it is like entering the job market and his positive advice for future P.E. students.

In this episode, Matt and Justin revisit what a “mud weight window” is, the key elements, and why mud weight is important for well control. 

This week, we talk with Josh Nordquist of Ormat, a fully integrated geothermal energy company. We discuss geothermal concepts how oil and gas technology contributes to geothermal energy production. Josh also takes us through the story Geothermal Rising, an organization designed to connect and educate everyone in all things geothermal. 

Geothermal drilling has become a hot topic for renewables across the energy industry. In this episode, we discuss geothermal drilling fluids and as Justin so cooly put it, “the United States is sitting on a good bit of heat and it’s picking up steam” (no pun intended). Let’s dig in.

Scavenger Slurries – Occasionally mentioned in a mud manual, they can affect us and need to be part of the drilling fluids conversation… Matt breaks down what scavenger slurries are and what they’re used for in Episode 105 of The #Flowline

In this episode, Matt and Justin had the pleasure of chatting with Alexander Davis, Petroleum Engineering Student at Texas Tech University & President of TTU AADE Chapter. They gain his prespective on the industry, what the vibe is leading up to graduation, and the changes this graduating class had to endure over the year that was 2020. […]

A case study is a research method to gain a better understanding of a subject or process. They are an example of using something, whether it be a product or method to solve a challenge. In this episode, Matt and Justin discuss what case studies are and what makes a good one.

Solids control is an important part of running a cost effective drilling fluid system. In this episode, we’ll talk with our solids control expert, Leonel Lujan, who helps our customers make sure their equipment is running efficiently.

This week we’re celebrating a milestone as we release the 101st episode of The Flowline. We’ve had so much fun recording each episode to share with you, our loyal listeners, each week. For this special episode, Matt and Justin talk about the infancy of The Flowline and its growth to where it is today, touching on […]

In this episode, Justin and Matt talk to Justin Disney, Director of Laboratory and R&D Services at Jacam Catalyst. They’ll talk about Jacam Catalyst, Justin’s history and role, and how AES Drilling Fluids and Jacam Catalyst work together as sister companies to support our customers.

It depends. When asked, “what is the best drilling fluid?” the answer is, “it depends.” Nothing is cookie-cutter: every drilling formation, environmental and regulatory specification varies from one well to the next. 

During the drilling process, it is possible to encounter formations that contain H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide). In this episode, Matt and Justin discuss operational concerns, precautions to take, and treatment applications if you come in contact with this poisonous, corrosive, and flammable gas.

Nanotechnology – one of those ‘buzz words’ you hear around the industry, but what is it and how is it applied when it comes to drilling fluids? In this episode, Matt and Justin bridge the gap between the term and how it relates to drilling fluids and the potential it has. Be sure to listen […]

There’s lots of anxiety around the words and actions of a new administration. Matt and Justin share a few thoughts about energy and the practical reality that makes oil and gas essential for a healthy and thriving world.

Whether we know it or not, we are always collecting data that can be an indicator of how well we are performing. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide a focus for strategic and operational improvement, create an analytical basis for decision making and help focus attention on what matters most. As Peter Drucker famously said, “What […]

History has taught us a lot of things, but as things change, we have to remember our old habits had a rationale that may no longer apply. Matt and Justin discuss some expensive distractions that continue to limit how we move forward.

“Automation” is a buzz word that has been flying around the industry for a few years, but how does it apply to our day to day drilling operations? In this episode, Matt and Justin discuss automation in drilling fluids, touching on the technology available to the market and the properties of drilling fluids that can […]

In this episode, Matt and Justin dig into ‘weird’ mud tests. Justin brings up different mud tests and checks, things that are not common in the drilling process, but do pop up occasionally. Matt explains what scenarios these tests are for, why we do them, how we do them.

Managed Pressure Drilling or MPD, comes up often enough, so it’s important to be aware of it and what the implications are. In this episode, Justin picks Matt’s brain on what MPD is, what the different applications are, and why we use it.

Our first Special Guest of 2021 is Elizabeth McNeill, VP and General Manager of AES Drilling Fluids. In this episode, she joins us to discuss the culture at AES. She takes us through how we’ve adopted our culture, why it’s important for building a successful company, and how we’ve kept that high standard through several acquisitions. 

In this episode, we end 2020 with one last technical topic… Tracers. A type of nonreactive, easily differentiated material placed in a small portion of a circulating mud system at a certain time to be identified when it later returns to the surface from downhole. We dig into what they are, how are they applied […]

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thanks for all your support of the Flowline throughout the year. All the best for 2021, fingers crossed!!

What would a podcast in the oilfield be without a DRW episode? In this episode, we are joined by a special guest David Ramsden-Wood, Host of #hottakeoftheday podcast, Author, and Principal at Prevail Energy. David dives into his views on the future of the oil and gas industry, his passion for the ever-evolving technologies, and […]

In this episode of the Flowline, Matt and Justin sit down with Gary Lankford, aka the legend of the Permian. Gary discusses how the Permian oilfield has evolved throughout the years along with his journey in the oil and gas business. Gary also shares his thoughts on the outlook of oil and gas along with […]

All year long, but especially during this season, we’re grateful for wonderful followers like you! May your table be filled with family and gratitude this season. Happy Thanksgiving from AES Drilling Fluids and The Flowline!

In this episode, we sit down with special guest Tom Simons, CEO of CES Energy Solutions, the parent company of AES Drilling Fluids. Join us as we chat with this inspirational man who started as a mud hand and evolved his passion for drilling fluids into building a multi-faceted corporation.

H2S: it’s out there, we need to be aware of it and know how to plan around it. In this episode, Matt and Justin discuss what Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) is, how it impacts drilling programs, and what mitigation plans can be put in place for when it is encountered.