IMDEX MUD AID™ is proving to enhance productivity of drilling programs without a full-time drilling fluid contractor on site

There have been a vast range of improvements to exploration drilling programs, including the digitization and automation of procedures, together with our ability to obtain accurate data for critical decision making. Pleasingly, our operations have also got a lot safer with the introduction of innovative technologies.

A good example is IMDEX’s new remotely monitored automated in-field diagnosis unit – the IMDEX MUD AID™– which was designed to optimise and automate drilling fluid processes.

The unit provides real-time information regarding drilling fluid properties and can integrate with the company’s secure cloud-based web portal – IMDEXHUB-IQ™– for complete visibility of live-sampled data anywhere and at any time.

Remote, real-time access to an operation’s drilling fluid properties enables clients’ greater control over their programs and product usage, reducing site visits by drilling fluid specialists and overall less movement on site. Using the IMDEX MUD AID™ means drilling fluids are optimised and consumption is generally lower, which can translate to less manual handling, slip hazards and vehicle movement.

Learn more about the safety and operational benefits of the IMDEX MUD AID™ in the following short video.

In addition, Chris Havenga, IMDEX’s Global Equipment and Integration Engineer said, ‘the data provided by the IMDEX MUD AID™ achieves greater drilling productivity and allows crews to respond quicker to changes in lifting capacity and solids content. This piece of technology means we can rectify issues on drill sites quicker and without having to be physically on site’.

At a trial on an iron ore site, IMDEX compared the observations of an experienced drilling fluid specialist with the data obtained by the IMDEX MUD AID™ to measure the accuracy and response time to the fluid test results.

The trial concluded that the viscosity recordings of the drilling fluid specialist and the IMDEX MUD AID™ were very similar, however, the IMDEX MUD AID™ using remote technology was able to measure not just viscosity but rheology, giving greater information in quicker times. The unit was also able to more rapidly detect the breakdown of liquid polymers, which are important to produce viscosity and the desired lifting capacity. The IMDEX MUD AID™ is a game changer for remote drill sites where clients need drilling fluid support, fast. Read the case study The IMDEX MUD AID™ is lightweight, highly-portable and easy to install and operate. Set up is provided by a certified AMC drilling fluid specialist and includes establishing site-specific parameters and automating alerts.

Drilling fluid test properties can be viewed via IMDEXHUB-IQ™ and the unit display, which provides instant, secure access to real-time data and historical information. Data can also be downloaded via USB.