Selection of base fluid for drilling mud Using Analytic Hierarchy Process

Drilling fluid or fluid plays a major role during the drilling operation in the upstream petroleum sector. Designing of these fluids is a difficult process as it involves multiple parameters that need to be in appropriate proportion in order to achieve the requisite fluid property suitable to drill through the formation. Selection of the base fluid must be done in compliance with various factors like formation type, environment, cost, efficient operation, etc. Based on literature, discussions with industry experts, and survey responses a drilling base fluid which is efficient in both operative aspects as well as environmental aspects is identified. Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) a suitable base fluid was selected among the various alternatives.