FAQ and answers of shaker screen usable life

How long is shaker screen usable life in common well drilling?

Shaker screen usable life is a really comprehensive question but often asked by clients. There are so many different issues affect its life. Including screen itself quality, operator professional level, mud condition or working condition, shaker condition, handling way, cleaning and maintenance on screen, storage condition, and so on. These are factors from buyer or user. As per present information we get the screen life of different models or brands is from 20 hours to 22 days.

This data including many different pattern of screen, different API size screen, different working condition. How should we consider this ask reasonably? Make records and test regularly during well drilling. Such as drilling condition, mud property, filtration result, screen life, and so on. Compare screens last differently under same condition then find out the better screen. If we select screens improperly even they last over 30 days that makes no sense. We have some feedback from our users under a certain condition with their satisfaction. Please check it below

Usable shaker screen

1. API 140 screen

Hole size 12 1/4” while depth 9100 to 13400 ft

Mud weight: 10.9lbs

Formation: shale/sand

Hours run: about 160 hours

Screen failure: due to normal wear to top layer

Result: Satisfactory on screen life

2. API 170 screen

Hole size: 8 1/2” while depth 1131 to 1535m

Mud density: 1.08Sg

Mud system: WSM&Gel Sweep

Duration: Aug.18- Aug.20

Shaker degree: +3°

Result: Excellent solids throughput, the conveyance was excellent, minimum fluid loss, no wear over served on screens after TD section achieved

Suggestions on a better screen usable life

There are also oral feedback from other users, but without sufficient reference information. Please find our suggestions or recommendations on enhancing screen life during oil drilling:

• Keep the screens clean
• Storage of used screen should be on racks if they are to be reused.
• Screens for reuse should be marked with previous hours run so that screen TOTAL life is known.
• Maintain a proper beach at end point on the screen. The screen should be kept 75-85% flooded inside the shaker. Too much beach leads to screens being abraded by dry cuttings and premature wear can occur
• Before drilling commences inspect all shakers condition, such as compression status, tension fingers, mounting rubbers, channel rubbers, side plates coating, jack, and motor voltages, deck angle, etc.
• Check motion of shakers and G force if possible.
• Clean off dry cake build-up from the motors
• Look for any leaks around the header tank and sump
• If flow rate is high keep bed inclination at higher degree preferably 4-degree to ensure proper pool vs beach ratio. As soon as flow rate is stable (reduced) reduce bed inclination preferably at 2 to 3-degree.
• On Top hole drilling run less fine screens such as API 60 or 80 to avoid premature degradation of the screens

Long life screens for shaker

How long is the recommended shelf life for screens?

Depending on screen types. For example, if the screen is framed and without rubber strip back side nor rubber sealing on sides it can be stored on shelf 2-3 years. But the storage condition is away from extreme weather and moisture. Why? Strictly speaking, shelf life affects shaker screen life. We know screen panels including frame and S.S screen cloth. The frame is steel frame (coated) or composite frame. There are elements will age and this affects screen life & performance. For screens fit with rubber strip or sealing rubber, the suggest shelf life is no longer than 12 month. As we know, the rubber material is easy to age even under common storage conditions. For all screens, when we keep them in a warehouse please consider below suggestions

1. Clean them after every working shift
2. Keep screens packed in cartons and even in plywood cases if possible
3. Keep the panels away from extreme weather, especially heat. Away from moisture, though they are coated or S.S
4. Stack them in order and mark panels clearly for convenient check and handle
5. Move screens gently, especially pay attention to screen surface to avoid damage by potential collision

Are all screens repairable?

How do we repair it? Why do we repair it? We use plugs to cover the broken area on screen panel. Usually the plug is slightly larger than hole of grids or broken area to make it pinned tightly. We repair screens consider 3 main reasons. One is repairing avoid further larger broken, two is repairing avoid mud loss, the other is repairing helps save cost to replace screen with little worn.

API 13C tested screen

We can’t repair all of screens. Presently, at Aipu Solids Control we provide repair plugs for flat screens made by us and for some typical famous brand shaker screen. Such as Cobra series screen, PWP48x30, PWP500, Mongoose series and so on. Furthermore, if we have made screens for you, they can be repaired with plugs produced by us, no matter it is famous brand or not. To check if your screens are repairable please tell us the shape of punched panel on frame. Including shape, sides, thickness of the sheet. Moreover, we need to confirm is it necessary to repair a screen panel. According to the worn area, or broken ratio. We suggest repairing screen broken area is no more than 25%.

Have you been clear about factors affecting shaker screen usable life? Please contact us freely if you have further concern.