It actually protects them by preventing the intrusion of fluid into the formation. In contrast, any form of air drilling produces fluid from the formation during the drilling process and leaves the formation wide open for cross contamination and formation damage when the compressor is closed. The drilling mud weight, viscosity, and filtration rate are parameters that we monitor closely while drilling. This is done to protect the formation and to maximize the productivity of the well. Wells drilled with low solids, low filtration drilling muds develop faster and are more productive than wells drilled with air in the same area.
Lost circulation can bring most drilling operations to a complete halt.
Doing this successfully is an art and our people are skilled at restoring lost circulation. When your air drillers are unable to drill to the desired depth, give us a call. Using mud rotary techniques, we will reach your target depth.