One of the most serious problems occurring during horizontal directional drilling are mud losses which can be divided into two groups: mud losses to geological formation and breakouts. It could be caused mostly due to complicated geological conditions (porous rocks or loose soils), as well as technological mistakes during drilling. Solution of breakout problem could be changing of drilling parameters, drilling mud properties or redesign of drilling trajectory. When mud losses to geological formation occurs, solution of this problem is complicated and every intervention may result in further difficulties during drilling. To cope with these difficulties, presence of specialized drilling mud service on site is required.

Krzysztof Czudec, HEADS sp. z o.o.