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A degasser removes gaseous contaminants from drilling fluid during oil and gas drilling operations, reducing the risk of explosions. It is paired with a solids remover and can be vacuum or atmospheric. The process helps protect workers and equipment.
A degasser is an industrial piece of equipment used during oil and gas drilling operations. It serves as part of a mud system and is designed to remove gaseous contaminants from drilling fluid. Paired with a solids remover such as a shale shaker, the degasser can help clean up drilling mud and allow it to be continuously reused during drilling operations. By removing gas bubbles from this fluid, the degasser also helps reduce the risk of explosions and other hazards at the drill site.
Drilling fluid, or mud, plays an important role in the drilling process. This mixture of chemicals, oil and water is pumped into the hole to remove rock chips and stabilize the hole walls. Then it rises to the surface, taking rocks and debris with it. In some types of wells, the drilling mud can also carry back pockets of natural gas, methane or carbon dioxide. These gases pose a risk not only to drilling operations, but also to nearby workers and equipment.
As the gas exits the borehole, it can be drawn into one of two different types of degassing unit. Vacuum degassers rely on vacuum pressure to separate the gas from the liquid. For more advanced applications, drilling companies often rely on a poor boy or atmospheric deaerator. These units use an internal impeller to spread drilling mud over a series of baffle plates, thereby increasing the mud surface area. By spreading the sludge over a larger area, the poor deaerators release trapped air and purify the sludge for reuse.
Before or after degassing, the drilling fluid must pass through a solids removal system. This generally involves a shielded device known as a shale agitator, which separates rock chips and debris from the liquid mud. After all solid and gaseous materials have been removed, the drilling fluid can be recirculated through the drilling mechanism.
In drilling operations where natural gas or other gaseous materials are present, the deaerator plays a vital role in worker protection. When these gases are brought to the surface, they could cause fires or explosions or simply affect the air quality around the drilling site. Gas bubbles left in the drilling fluid can build up in the drill lines or cutting bit, disrupting worker operations. By removing these bubbles, companies can maximize equipment life and reduce maintenance and repairs.
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