Drilling Fluids Lab – MCQs 50 Score: 0 Attempted: 0/50 Subscribe 1. Which of the following is the primary function of drilling fluids? (A) To cool and lubricate the bit (B) To control formation pressure (C) To carry cuttings to the surface (D) All of the above 2. The density of drilling mud is commonly measured in: (A) lb/ft³ (B) ppg (pounds per gallon) (C) psi (D) Darcy 3. The instrument used to measure mud weight in the lab is called: (A) Rheometer (B) Marsh funnel (C) Mud balance (D) Viscometer 4. The standard temperature for mud balance calibration is: (A) 60°F (B) 77°F (C) 32°F (D) 100°F 5. Marsh funnel is used to measure: (A) Density (B) Gel strength (C) Funnel viscosity (D) Filtrate loss 6. The standard time for one quart to flow through a Marsh funnel for water is: (A) 20 seconds (B) 26 seconds (C) 30 seconds (D) 40 seconds 7. Plastic viscosity (PV) is calculated as: (A) 600 rpm reading – 300 rpm reading (B) 300 rpm reading – 200 rpm reading (C) 600 rpm reading + 300 rpm reading (D) 200 rpm reading – 100 rpm reading 8. Yield point (YP) is determined as: (A) 300 rpm reading – PV (B) 600 rpm reading – PV (C) 200 rpm reading – PV (D) 100 rpm reading – PV 9. Which instrument is used to determine rheological properties of drilling mud? (A) Marsh funnel (B) Viscometer (Fann 35) (C) Mud balance (D) Retort kit 10. The unit of yield point (YP) is: (A) lb/100 ft² (B) lb/ft² (C) psi (D) Darcy 11. Gel strength is measured at what time intervals in the lab? (A) 5 sec and 10 sec (B) 10 sec and 10 min (C) 30 sec and 1 min (D) 10 sec and 1 hr 12. Filtrate loss is measured in the lab using: (A) Marsh funnel (B) Filter press (API filter press) (C) Retort kit (D) Mud balance 13. The unit of filtrate volume collected in filter press is: (A) ml in 30 minutes (B) cc in 15 minutes (C) ml in 7.5 minutes (D) cc in 10 minutes 14. The cake thickness from filter press is measured in: (A) mm (B) inches (C) cm (D) microns 15. Retort analysis is used to determine: (A) Solids and liquid content in mud (B) Filtrate loss (C) Rheology (D) Gel strength 16. Sand content in drilling fluid is measured using: (A) Sand content kit (B) Retort kit (C) Marsh funnel (D) Filter press 17. The recommended sand content in drilling fluid should be less than: (A) 1% (B) 2% (C) 5% (D) 10% 18. pH of drilling mud is measured using: (A) Mud balance (B) pH paper or meter (C) Retort kit (D) Filter press 19. Lime content in drilling mud is determined by: (A) Retort analysis (B) pH titration method (C) API filter press (D) Marsh funnel 20. Chloride concentration in mud filtrate is determined by: (A) Silver nitrate titration (B) Acid titration (C) Mud balance (D) Marsh funnel 21. High chloride content in filtrate indicates: (A) Formation water intrusion (B) Oil contamination (C) Gas cut mud (D) Weighting material settling 22. The main weighting agent used in drilling fluids is: (A) Bentonite (B) Barite (C) Hematite (D) Calcium carbonate 23. The unit of barite specific gravity is: (A) 2.65 (B) 3.5 (C) 4.2 (D) 5.0 24. Which additive is mainly used to increase viscosity? (A) Bentonite (B) Barite (C) Hematite (D) Lime 25. Starch and CMC are added in mud to: (A) Reduce fluid loss (B) Increase density (C) Increase gel strength (D) Decrease pH 26. Which polymer is commonly used as a fluid loss control agent? (A) PAC (Polyanionic Cellulose) (B) Barite (C) Hematite (D) Sand 27. Mud alkalinity is usually controlled with: (A) Lime (Ca(OH)₂) (B) Barite (C) Bentonite (D) Oil additives 28. Excessive solids in drilling fluid cause: (A) Decreased viscosity (B) Increased wear on pumps and bits (C) Lower mud weight (D) Reduced filter cake thickness 29. Viscosity of mud can also be measured with: (A) Marsh funnel (B) Fann viscometer (C) Both A and B (D) None of the above 30. Mud rheology describes: (A) Flow behavior of drilling fluid (B) Density only (C) Solids content only (D) Gas cut tendency 31. The plastic viscosity reflects: (A) Interparticle friction of solids in mud (B) Filtrate loss (C) Gel strength (D) Sand content 32. Yield point indicates: (A) Ability to suspend cuttings (B) Mud weight (C) Filtrate volume (D) Sand content 33. Gel strength is a measure of: (A) Thixotropic properties of mud (B) Sand concentration (C) Mud alkalinity (D) Oil contamination 34. A high gel strength can cause: (A) Pump pressure surges (B) Easier circulation (C) Lower viscosity (D) Less solids content 35. Mud filtrate invasion into formation can lead to: (A) Formation damage (B) Enhanced production (C) Decreased mud loss (D) Increased permeability 36. Which test is performed to evaluate fluid loss at high temperature/high pressure (HTHP)? (A) Retort test (B) HTHP filter press test (C) Marsh funnel test (D) Mud balance test 37. The unit of HTHP filtrate volume is: (A) ml/30 minutes (B) cc/60 minutes (C) ml/15 minutes (D) cc/10 minutes 38. A retort kit separates drilling mud into: (A) Oil, water, solids (B) Oil, gas, cuttings (C) Oil, barite, bentonite (D) Oil, clay, sand 39. The accuracy of mud balance depends on: (A) Temperature and calibration (B) Barite quality (C) Mud salinity (D) Gel strength 40. In solids analysis, low-gravity solids mainly include: (A) Bentonite and drilled solids (B) Barite (C) Hematite (D) Calcium carbonate 41. High-gravity solids include: (A) Barite and hematite (B) Bentonite (C) Sand only (D) Clay minerals 42. Which property is most important for well control? (A) Mud viscosity (B) Mud density (C) Gel strength (D) Filtrate loss 43. Which property ensures proper hole cleaning? (A) Density (B) Viscosity and yield point (C) pH (D) Chloride content 44. Oil contamination in water-based mud usually results in: (A) Increased viscosity and gel strength (B) Reduced viscosity and yield point (C) Increased pH (D) Reduced filtrate loss 45. Mud pH is critical for: (A) Corrosion control and clay stability (B) Mud weight (C) Sand content (D) Oil–water ratio 46. Excessive lime in drilling mud can cause: (A) Flocculation of clay particles (B) Decreased alkalinity (C) Lower viscosity (D) Higher filtrate loss 47. The retort temperature is usually maintained around: (A) 100–150°C (B) 200–400°C (C) 500–700°C (D) 800–1000°C 48. Rheology tests in lab simulate: (A) Circulation of mud in wellbore (B) Pressure in reservoir (C) Oil refining (D) Gas expansion 49. High filtrate loss can result in: (A) Thick mud cake and stuck pipe (B) Improved lubrication (C) Higher gel strength (D) Increased pH 50. Which of the following is a standard API lab test for drilling fluids? (A) Marsh funnel viscosity (B) Mud balance density (C) Filter press filtrate loss (D) All of the above FOUNDATIONAL SUBJECTS (Year 1 – Year 2)Engineering Mechanics (Statics & Dynamics) – MCQsFluid Mechanics – MCQsThermodynamics – MCQsComputer Programming (e.g., MATLAB, Python) – MCQsIntroduction to Engineering – MCQsGeology for Engineers – MCQsTechnical Communication – MCQs CORE PETROLEUM ENGINEERING SUBJECTS (Year 2 – Year 4)Introduction to Petroleum Engineering – MCQsPetroleum Geology – MCQsDrilling Engineering – MCQsReservoir Engineering – MCQsProduction Engineering – MCQsPetroleum Fluid Properties – MCQsWell Logging and Formation Evaluation – MCQsPetroleum Economics – MCQsPetroleum Refining and Processing – MCQs Natural Gas Engineering – MCQsEnhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) – MCQsWell Testing – MCQsReservoir Simulation – MCQsDrilling Fluids and Cementing – MCQsOffshore Petroleum Engineering – MCQsHealth, Safety and Environment (HSE) – MCQsPetroleum Project Management – MCQsCorrosion Engineering – MCQsArtificial Lift Techniques – MCQsPetrophysics – MCQs LABORATORIES & PRACTICALS (Theory-based MCQs can be made from these)Drilling Fluids Lab – MCQsCore Analysis Lab – MCQsReservoir Simulation Lab – MCQsRock and Fluid Properties Lab – MCQsWell Logging Lab – MCQs ELECTIVES (Optional/Advanced)Energy Transition and Sustainability – MCQsUnconventional Resources (Shale, Tight Gas, etc.) – MCQsData Analytics in Petroleum Engineering – MCQsGeographic Information Systems (GIS) – MCQsPetroleum Law and Policy – MCQsPipeline Engineering – MCQsRenewable Energy Integration – MCQs