Technology and Solutions
By Marc Kirschenbaum and LaTosha Moore, M-I SWACO, a Schlumberger company
Optimizing Solids Control
New Dual-Deck Shale Shaker
M-I SWACO continues to leverage its expertise in drilling and
completions fluids, associated solids control, and waste management
with the development of the new MD-2* dual-deck shale shaker.
Launched in June of 2013, the dual-deck shale shaker was developed
in response to customer demands for a durable, mid-range shaker
suitable for a broad range of onshore and offshore applications.
With well construction costs on the rise, shale shakers are a key
component for maintaining optimum fluid properties. The MD-2 shale
shaker features a robust, field-proven design. The design capitalizes
on the technology and recent success of the MD-3* triple-deck shaker.
The new dual-deck shaker also utilizes design elements from the
MONGOOSE PRO* shale shaker, which has had long-term success,
particularly in demanding onshore applications.
Equipped with the company’s DURAFLO* composite screens, the new
dual-deck shale shaker can, in many cases, double the handling capacity
of a standard single-deck shaker. The unit is designed for high
performance in primary solids removal applications from both oil- and
water-base drilling fluids.
With strong focus on providing ease-of-use and simplified maintenance,
M-I SWACO designed the dual-deck shale shaker to give contractors
greater flexibility in adjusting to immediate changes in drilling conditions
and cuttings volumes with the flip of a switch.
acceleration and thin ellipse motion across the entire screen deck.
Compared to the progressive elliptical mode, the higher acceleration
of the balanced elliptical motion increases the fluid capacity and
conveyance rate.
When maximum cuttings retention is required, the MD-2 shaker can
be switched to normal or efficiency mode. The 6.5 G acceleration of
progressive elliptical motion produces a thin ellipse motion to remove
solids from the mud, while a wide ellipse at discharge is designed to
maximize retention to produce drier cuttings.
The new dual-deck shale shaker features full primary and half-width
scalping decks. The angles of the two decks can be adjusted with
changing drilling conditions, different fluid types, and varying solids
for control of both fluid pool depth and beach length. The scalping
deck has a 4o adjustment range while the primary deck can be adjusted
between a net range of +3o to +7o.
The dual-deck shale shaker was designed to accommodate
space-restricted drilling rigs, offshore and onshore. Design validation
was conducted at the SWECO manufacturing facility in Florence,
Kentucky, US.
The MD-2 dual-deck shaker delivers high-capacity separation efficiency
and operational flexibility in a value-added footprint
The MD-2 dual flat-deck shaker equipped with patented DURAFLO composite
screens assures a cost-effective and high-performing solids control package
All images are courtesy of Schlumberger
Using the convenience of a switch on the starter, contractors can
alternate between balanced elliptical and progressive elliptical
motions as drilling conditions warrant. The balanced elliptical motion,
having 7+ Gs, is set when larger cuttings volumes require higher
The MD-2 dual-deck shaker incorporates features designed to protect
both the operator and environment. Along with the feeder, which is
designed to accommodate most gas detection devices, the dual-deck
shale shaker can be equipped with an optional fume extraction system
for removing harmful gases. Optional vent hoods can be installed to
protect the operator from the health hazards of toxic vapors.
Perhaps the most notable HSE benefit of the MD-2 dual-deck shale
shaker stems from the DURAFLO composite screen. The field-proven
As published in the August/September 2013 issue of Petroleum Africa. All rights to editorial matter are reserved by Petroleum Africa Magazine, Inc. and no article may be reproduced
or transmitted by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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Petroleum Africa August/September 2013
The MD-2 dual-deck shale shaker features a latching system mechanism to enable quick and simple installation of DURAFLO composite screens
efficiency and long-life of DURAFLO screens result in fewer screen
changes, fewer instances of manual handling, and significantly decreased
opportunities for safety-related incidents.
with fluid to provide greater separation performance. Additionally, the
flat panel design corrects the “horse-shoe” phenomenon of crowneddeck shakers, which promote premature screen wear.
In a south Texas, US field trial, a customer drilled a 22-inch hole using
two conventional shakers, but capacity limitations resulted in a low rate
of penetration (ROP). One MD-2 shaker was provided for solids control.
The unit processed drilling fluid at 658 gallons per minute, more than
twice that of the two conventional shakers combined. Additionally, the
dual-deck shaker handled 100% of the flow throughout the top hole
section, maximizing flow rate and maintaining the desired ROP.
Compared to conventional shaker screens, the productive life of
DURAFLO flat panel, pre-tensioned composite screens is longer and
the overall usable screening area larger. The pneumatic screen clamping
and sealing system of the dual-deck shale shaker allows for simple and
fast screen installations from the front of the shaker. The system contains
no moving parts, and is self-latching, requiring no tools for installation.
Even further, the DURAFLO design incorporates the patented SnapLok repair system for quick and simple mesh repairs that reduce NPT.
Composite Screens
The MD-2 shaker has two screen vibratory motors, a pneumatic screen
clamping/sealing system, vapor recovery hoods and is CE compliant.
The shaker is engineered specifically to capitalize on the longer life
and enhanced performance of the patented composite-frame technology
incorporated in the DURAFLO flat panel design.
The seal is integrated into the frame and the U-shape allows screento-screen sealing on three sides. The screen retention track is designed
with a sloped bottom for easy cleanup and prevention of solids buildup.
A check valve ensures clamping pressure is maintained in the event of
compressed air loss.
Unlike metal-framed screens, the DURAFLO three-layer composite
screens include a molded polypropylene frame with an internal
reinforcing cage. This feature makes the composite screens, on average,
40% lighter compared to traditional metal-back designs. The design
enables extended screen life, enhanced shaker G-forces, higher
conveyance rates, increased fluid capacity, and fewer screen changes.
Fully pre-tensioned, the flat-panel design of DURAFLO screens has
a large and usable, non-blanked area that remains in continuous contact
M-I SWACO Solids Control
M-I SWACO solids control technologies – shakers, screens, centrifuges,
desanders, mud cleaners, and fluid processing systems – are designed
to improve drilling rates and reduce costs through the efficient removal
of drilled solids. The integrated portfolio of cutting-edge solids control
technologies such as the new MD-2 dual deck shale shaker and
DURAFLO composite screens are engineered to optimize drilling
efficiencies by reducing fluid losses, HSE impact, and costs.
*Mark of M-I, L.L.C.
As published in the August/September 2013 issue of Petroleum Africa. All rights to editorial matter are reserved by Petroleum Africa Magazine, Inc. and no article may be reproduced
or transmitted by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Petroleum Africa August/September 2013
61