Solids control audit and shaker screen optimisation
Client: International drilling contractor (named on request under NDA)
Project Overview
A drilling contractor operating a five-rig land fleet drilling deviated development wells was seeing accelerated shale shaker screen consumption and rising mud dilution rates across the whole campaign. Screen spend had roughly doubled inside a year with no visible improvement in mud properties.
The Challenge
- Screen consumption running significantly above budget across five active rigs.
- Dilution factor drifting upward — mud volume built per metre drilled climbing steadily.
- Inconsistent screen specifications across rigs, with each site ordering separately from different suppliers.
- No systematic feedback loop between mud engineers, rig teams and procurement.
Paragon's Approach
Paragon mobilised a solids control engineer for an on-site audit of the full solids removal train on two representative rigs, covering flowline through to centrifuge discharge.
The audit reviewed screen mesh selection against actual particle-size distribution taken from live samples, shaker G-force and deck-angle settings, and hydrocyclone and centrifuge configuration downstream.
Standardised screen specifications were developed for each hole section, replacing a mixed inventory of near-mesh sizes with a smaller, better-fitting range.
A consolidated supply agreement was put in place across the five rigs, giving the contractor a single point of accountability and improved unit pricing.
What Paragon Supplied
- API RP 13C pre-tensioned composite shaker screens across the standardised mesh range
- Replacement drying-deck screens for the mud cleaners
- Consignment stock at the operating base to eliminate rig stock-outs
- Operator training pack on screen tensioning and deck-angle adjustment
Outcomes
Delivery Partners
Where appropriate, Paragon Environmental Solutions collaborates with carefully selected OEMs, manufacturers, and technology partners to deliver the most effective solution for each project. This ensures clients receive proven equipment supported by independent engineering expertise and local operational support.
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