The Flowline

Episode 253 | From the Field to the Office
Jul 17 ,2024

Episode 253 | From the Field to the Office

Have you ever wondered what the life of a mud engineer is like? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin give insights on their career paths, how they transitioned from the field to the office, and much more!

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Episode 134 | Fine Grind Barite
Jun 04 ,2024

Episode 134 | Fine Grind Barite

What makes fine grind barite different than conventional API barite? Where and when is it used to improve fluid performance?

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Episode 250 | Listener’s Question on Glycols
May 22 ,2024

Episode 250 | Listener’s Question on Glycols

A Flowline listener asked about glycols and choosing the cloud point for the best shale inhibition performance. Tune into this episode of The #Flowline as Justin and Matt provide more detail on glycols and a strategy for selection. If you have a question, send us a message or comment!

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WBM Series – Ep. 5 | Shale Inhibitors
May 15 ,2024

WBM Series – Ep. 5 | Shale Inhibitors

Water and clays aren’t always the best combination. What are the water-based mud products that inhibit shale interaction? Tune into this episode of The #Flowline – WBM Series as Matt and Justin discuss shale inhibitors!

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WBM Series – Ep. 4 | Alkalinity
May 08 ,2024

WBM Series – Ep. 4 | Alkalinity

Depending on the drilling conditions, alkalinity and pH need to be a fine-tuned science. In this episode of the WBM Series, Alkalinity, Matt and Justin discuss the sources of alkaline, how they work, and where they fit into the whole picture!

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WBM Series – Ep. 3 | Filtration Control
May 01 ,2024

WBM Series – Ep. 3 | Filtration Control

Tune into this Water-Based Mud Series episode as Justin and Matt sits down to discuss why filtration control agents are used, incompatibility with cationic and anionic products, and much more!

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WBM Series – Ep. 2 | Viscosifiers
Apr 24 ,2024

WBM Series – Ep. 2 | Viscosifiers

Water-based muds require viscosifiers compatible with the base fluid. Several kinds of viscosifiers provide quality hole cleaning and solid-suspension characteristics. Tune into this episode of the WBM Series as Matt and Justin discuss why viscosifiers are needed, the different kinds of viscosifiers, and much more!

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WBM Series – Ep. 1 | Base Fluid
Apr 17 ,2024

WBM Series – Ep. 1 | Base Fluid

In this new series of The #Flowline, Matt and Justin go in-depth into water-based mud. Each episode will break down different components and key functions of WBM. Tune into this episode of the #WBM Series, as our hosts talk about all things base fluid in water-based mud.

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Episode 249 | Do We Really Have Sag?
Apr 10 ,2024

Episode 249 | Do We Really Have Sag?

Too often, we assume there is a sag and cause the ensuing panic. But, do we really have sag? Tune into this episode of the Flowline, as Matt and Justin dive into the conditions that induce sag, evidence-based questions to diagnose sag, and much more!

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Episode 247 | XRD
Mar 27 ,2024

Episode 247 | XRD

One of our lab’s most requested tests is XRD (X-ray diffraction). So, why has it become such a buzzword? Tune into this episode of The Flowline as Justin and Matt break down what it is, why it’s useful, and its added value.

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Episode 226 | Desander and Desilter
Oct 25 ,2023

Episode 226 | Desander and Desilter

Desanders and desilters move around with rigs, but they seem to be rarely used. So, what are the benefits of these machines and why aren’t they being used? Tune in to this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin explore the topic of desander and desilter in solids control.

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Episode 225 | Chrome and Chlorides
Oct 18 ,2023

Episode 225 | Chrome and Chlorides

Chrome and chlorides have beef with each other, and Matt is here to explain why. Tune in to this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin talk about the corroding relationship between chrome-coated rotors and chlorides.

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Episode 224 | Challenges & Leadership
Oct 11 ,2023

Episode 224 | Challenges & Leadership

In this week’s episode of The Flowline, Matt and Justin answer a listener’s question: How can a leader overcome challenges in the field, office, labs, and plants? What are some of the lessons learned to avoid repeating the same mistakes? If you have a question of your own, please leave a comment or send us […]

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Episode 223 | Polysaccharides
Oct 04 ,2023

Episode 223 | Polysaccharides

Did you know that many things we use in the oil field are also in your kitchen? Polysaccharide, which is a carbohydrate (e.g. starch and cellulose), is one example of this! Tune in to this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin explain the chemistry behind polysaccharides in water-based muds!

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Episode 221 | Interview with Ken Zinger, CEO
Sep 20 ,2023

Episode 221 | Interview with Ken Zinger, CEO

Want to learn how something great starts? In this episode, we sit down with Ken Zinger, CEO of CES Energy Solutions, the parent company of AES Drilling Fluids. Join Matt and Justin as they gain insight into Ken’s career and how he evolved his passion for drilling fluids into a multi-faceted corporation.

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Episode 220 | Customer Mud School
Sep 13 ,2023

Episode 220 | Customer Mud School

It’s back-to-school season for the kids, but school is always in session with us! Mud school has been a way for us to educate our customers on drilling fluids and applications to drive discussions in the industry. Tune in to this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin discuss the conversations sparked by these […]

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Episode 219 | High-Temperature Fluids
Sep 06 ,2023

Episode 219 | High-Temperature Fluids

It’s a hot summer in Texas, and it can get even hotter subsurface!☀️ 🔥 So, what type of mud can withstand the heat? Tune in to this episode of The Flowline as Matt and Justin answer this question and more about High-Temp Fluids!

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Episode 218 | U-Turn Wells
Aug 30 ,2023

Episode 218 | U-Turn Wells

U-Turn wells, also known as Horseshoe wells, have been gaining attention lately! Don’t miss out on this episode as Matt and Justin break down the challenges of drilling U-Turn wells.

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Episode 217 | Base Oil Recovery
Aug 23 ,2023

Episode 217 | Base Oil Recovery

As oil prices surge, recovering valuable base oils, such as diesel from oil-based mud, proves essential not only for efficient fluid management but also for capturing significant economic returns.

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Episode 216 | Open vs. Closed Loop System
Aug 16 ,2023

Episode 216 | Open vs. Closed Loop System

Open or closed? The question might be easier when it comes to your office door, but what about Open vs. Closed Loop Systems? Join Matt and Justin as they break down the basics on this week’s episode of The #Flowline

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Episode 215 | Cuttings Transport
Aug 16 ,2023

Episode 215 | Cuttings Transport

What are the factors that go into cuttings transport? Listen in as Matt Offenbacher and Justin Gauthier discuss the intricacies of hole cleaning.

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Episode 214 | Mud Chillers
Aug 02 ,2023

Episode 214 | Mud Chillers

Mud chillers do some important things, but what fluid properties work best with them? Justin and Matt discuss the difference between fluid for best thermal properties and best drilling properties.

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Episode 213 | Fluid Properties and ROP
Jul 26 ,2023

Episode 213 | Fluid Properties and ROP

What fluid properties allow you to drill the fastest? Justin and Matt talk about what makes clean mud, among other things, great for fast drilling.

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Episode 212 | The Chloride Titration
Jul 19 ,2023

Episode 212 | The Chloride Titration

What’s the deal with calling the endpoint of your chloride titration? What’s the chemistry behind it and why do we need to get it right?

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Episode 211 |Cross-Linked Fluid Loss Control Pills
Jul 12 ,2023

Episode 211 |Cross-Linked Fluid Loss Control Pills

What are cross-linked fluid loss control pills? Why don’t we see them more often in drilling applications? Matt and Justin discuss how they work and what it takes to deploy them.

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Episode 210 | Lime and OBM/SBM
Jul 05 ,2023

Episode 210 | Lime and OBM/SBM

Why is lime so important for invert emulsion systems? Justin and Matt run through how lime works with emulsifiers and provides alkalinity.

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Episode 209 | Logging
Jun 28 ,2023

Episode 209 | Logging

Spontaneous potential? Join Matt and Justin as they tackle a listener’s request and explore how fluid affects downhole logging operations.

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Episode 208 | Product No Go’s

Why do we always feel the need to try new things and change our current products? How do we decide which alternative products to explore and which ones to resist the temptation of?

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Episode 207 | Acid Soluble Lost Circulation Materials
Jun 21 ,2023

Episode 207 | Acid Soluble Lost Circulation Materials

When do you really need acid soluble materials? Matt and Justin talk about when these materials can help and when they probably just make us feel good.

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Episode 194 | Evaporation
Mar 09 ,2023

Episode 194 | Evaporation

Loss categories vary, and perhaps one of the most subjective is evaporation. When does drilling fluid evaporate? Why is it so hard to measure? Justin and Matt discuss.

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Breaking News: Justin and Matt Get Salty with A Directional Company
Feb 15 ,2023

Breaking News: Justin and Matt Get Salty with A Directional Company

Sometimes, mud and tools interact and create issues. Other times, directional companies make absurd claims. And Matt and Justin don’t like it. 

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