MudSim is proud to exhibit alongside GeoMind, DIG and Oliasoft at IMAGE Houston, demonstrating a shared vision for the next generation of drilling technology. Together, the companies are exploring an AI-supported, integrated platform where real-time data sharing between geology, well design and drilling operations enables smarter decisions, significantly reduces operational risk, and delivers safer, more predictable and more sustainable wells.
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Bilde1-siloer.png7201020Yngve Bastesenhttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgYngve Bastesen2026-07-31 18:56:012026-07-31 19:10:33MudSim, GeoMind, DIG and Oliasoft Join Forces to Shape the Future of De-Risked Drilling
The results demonstrated how predictive simulation enables earlier corrective actions, helping operators avoid costly drilling failures, reduce non-productive time, improve well delivery predictability and make safer, more sustainable drilling decisions
MudSim and WellSoft have entered a strategic cooperation to develop joint projects that combine complementary technologies for smarter drilling operations. By integrating advanced drilling-fluid optimization with formation and well-performance analysis, the partnership aims to improve reservoir productivity. In addition we will de-risk well delivery through more optimized drilling operations.
MudSim has reached an important development milestone. The hole cleaning simulation is now completed and integrated into the MudSim platform as part of our holistic drilling fluid simulation tool.
Hole cleaning remains one of the major operational challenges in modern drilling operations, especially in long horizontal wells. When drill cuttings are not effectively transported out of the wellbore, they can accumulate and form a cuttings bed. This can increase friction, affect pressure conditions, and lead to operational problems such as stuck pipe, slower drilling progress, and costly delays.
Industry experience shows that poor hole cleaning can contribute to up to 30% of non-productive time (NPT) during drilling operations. In many cases, these challenges can result in additional costs of around 30 million NOK per well.
With this new development, MudSim now improves ECD (Equivalent Circulating Density) simulations by also accounting for the cuttings bed in the wellbore. This provides a more realistic understanding of drilling conditions, particularly in extended horizontal sections where hole cleaning is critical.
By combining hole cleaning with other key drilling fluid parameters in the same platform, MudSim allows operators to simulate and optimize drilling fluid performance before drilling begins. This supports better planning decisions, reduces operational risks, and helps improve overall drilling efficiency.
This milestone represents another step toward MudSim’s vision: providing the industry with a holistic simulation tool for drilling fluids that helps operators reduce costs, improve operational performance, and lower the environmental footprint of drilling operations.
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/HCI-WEB-PAGE-1.png18952550Yngve Bastesenhttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgYngve Bastesen2026-03-04 15:45:042026-03-04 18:27:14MudSim milestone: Hole cleaning simulation now integrated in the holistic drilling fluid tool
Is hole cleaning one of the most critical problem for the drilling industry ? How can we avoid this risc with MudSim? ; As wells transition from vertical to horizontal, hole cleaning becomes increasingly complex. Cuttings can settle, reducing efficiency and increasing risks like stuck pipe and excessive torque. MudSim addresses this by simulating drilling fluid properties, RPM, ROP, and flow rates to maintain optimal cuttings transport. By accurately modeling yield point, plastic viscosity, and ECD variations, MudSim identifies the right balance to prevent cuttings bed formation. It adapts dynamically to wellbore angle changes, ensuring efficient hole cleaning without excessive pressure loss. The result? Smoother drilling, reduced downtime, and optimized performance.
Here we highlight the importance of drilling fluid selection when using WBM and maximizing the rate of penetration (ROP) that we know can be challenging, especially in formations prone to swelling or bit balling. However, with the right strategies, it is possible to maintain efficient drilling rates.
In a recent project drilling a 12,25 inch well, through a clay-rich shale formation, the team experienced a drop in ROP due to bit balling and poor hole cleaning. To resolve this, they added potassium chloride (KCl) to the WBM, which acted as a clay inhibitor, preventing swelling and reducing material buildup on the bit. They also increased the fluid’s flow rate to improve hole cleaning and switched to a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit designed to reduce bit balling.
By continuously monitoring real-time drilling data, the team adjusted parameters on the go, maintaining an optimal ROP of 15 meter per hour, significantly improving from their initial 10 meter per hour. The well was completed ahead of schedule, demonstrating that with careful fluid management, bit selection, and real-time monitoring, it is possible to maintain high drilling efficiency with WBM in challenging formations. Using MudSim in the future will ensure that same success story will happen in the future as well.
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Bilde-4.png21722409Yngve Bastesenhttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgYngve Bastesen2024-09-09 11:13:192024-09-09 11:42:25MAINTAINING RATE OF PENETRATION WITH WATER-BASED DRILLING FLUIDS
Recently, our team faced an important challenge from AkerBP: to evaluate MudSim’s accuracy by simulating and calculating key drilling parameters. The goal was simple yet critical—compare our results with AkerBP’s established data, focusing on Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD), Equivalent Static Density (ESD), and standpipe pressure.
Project Overview: Gekko North Well – 25/4-B-1 AY1H
AkerBP’s well, located in the Gekko North field and drilled using the DeepSea Nordkapp rig, provided a robust dataset for this evaluation. This well, with a total depth (TD) of 2729 meters, had already undergone extensive calculations by AkerBP. Our task was to replicate these calculations using MudSim to verify the tool’s accuracy and pinpoint areas for further development.
Key Drilling Parameters and Input Data
The following key drilling parameters were provided by AkerBP:
Section Length: From the 13 3/8’’ shoe to TD at 2729 meters.
Flow Rate: 3850 liters per minute (lpm).
Rotary Speed: 150 revolutions per minute (rpm).
Boost: 1000 lpm.
In addition to these parameters, we utilized a comprehensive set of inputs. This included the well schematic, end-of-well report, pore pressure plot, lithological description, wellpath, and drilling fluid data.
Simulation of Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD)
We used MudSim to simulate the ECD based on the provided data. The simulation employed the Herschel-Bulkley fluid model, which used parameters derived from a data-fitted procedure utilizing Fann data at 20°C. This model also included calculations for wall shear stress, friction factor, and an interpolation between laminar and turbulent flow regimes, guided by Reynolds number and effective viscosity.
Results: The simulation results closely matched AkerBP’s original calculations. This alignment demonstrates MudSim’s potential accuracy in replicating real-world drilling scenarios.
Adjusting for Pressure and Temperature: Equivalent Static Density (ESD)
Next, we turned our attention to ESD, which accounts for changes in drilling fluid density due to pressure and temperature variations. Our model incorporated factors such as thermal expansion and compressibility of the drilling mud.
Findings: The simulation revealed that while thermal expansion has a minor effect on the pressure profile, it remains a critical factor, especially in pressure-sensitive formations. The results were consistent with AkerBP’s data, reinforcing MudSim’s reliability in this context.
Standpipe Pressure Calculation
To calculate standpipe pressure, we simulated the pressure drop from the pump to the drill bit and back to the surface. This included pressure losses in the drill pipe, drill bit, and annulus.
Simulation Result: The standpipe pressure was calculated to be 132.05 bar. This calculation mirrored AkerBP’s results, further validating MudSim’s accuracy.
A Milestone in MudSim’s Development
MudSim’s outputs for the Gekko North well were within expected limits. However, this evaluation highlighted some areas for improvement. Specifically, enhancing the ESD model by incorporating fluid flow energy transport could improve accuracy. This enhancement would be particularly valuable in challenging drilling environments, where even minor improvements can significantly impact safety and efficiency.
The successful replication of AkerBP’s drilling parameter calculations marks a significant milestone in MudSim’s development. These positive results confirm MudSim’s potential to become a reliable tool for optimizing drilling operations. As we continue to refine the software, we aim to further enhance its capabilities to meet the complex demands of modern drilling operations.
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bilde_v2-scaled.jpg12522560Leif Arne Bastesenhttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgLeif Arne Bastesen2024-08-26 08:03:382024-08-26 09:13:58MudSim Achieves Milestone in Calculations for AkerBP
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_1238.jpeg15362048Yngve Bastesenhttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgYngve Bastesen2024-06-23 12:45:272024-06-23 20:13:17Networking in Green Offshore Tech
Approval of IPN project from the Research Council of Norway
We are thrilled to announce that MudSim has embarked on a transformative 2.5-year R&D project, generously supported by the Norwegian Research Council. This endeavor is driven by our unwavering commitment to push the boundaries of digitization and harness the cutting-edge advancements emerging from the forefront of research and technology.
Our project aims to reduce non-productive time and emissions by 5% while aligning drilling practices with industry standards. To achieve these objectives, we’re developing an integrated simulation tool that optimizes drilling planning and operations by leveraging common parameters to identify the most efficient drilling fluids for each planned well, promoting efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Stay connected with MudSim on LinkedIn to follow our journey of innovation and progress.
In this project, MudSim will develop innovative software tools to select optimal and more environmental friendly drilling fluid for drilling of exploration-, production-, P&A-, and geothermal wells. This project will introduce a new drill planning process that focus on both traditional drilling factors (such as pressure drop, viscosity, drilling speed, hole cleaning efficiency, density, etc.) but also environmental factors.
This project represents a significant step forward for selection of drilling fluid with lower CO2 footprint in drilling operations.
https://www.mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GOT-logo-redigert-2.jpg350238Jan Lundehttps://mudsim.no/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/decentQualityLogo_rasterScreenShoot_70percent_sizeReduction-300x89.jpgJan Lunde2023-05-31 22:40:422024-02-09 15:19:17MudSim AS, a provider of software for drilling fluid optimization, has received funding from the Green Offshore Tech program and EU to develop solutions for sustainable drilling operations.
