OVERVIEW

Shale shaker is a general term for a vibrating device used to screen solids from a circulating drilling fluid

Many configurations have been used. These include:

• A square or rectangular screening area with drilling-fluid flow down the length

• Revolving, nonvibrating, cylindrical screens with longitudinal flow down the center axis

• Circular screens with flow from the center to the outside

Other configurations have been tried but have not become commercial. The majority of shale shakers flow the drilling fluid over a rectangular screening surface. Larger solids are removed at the discharge end, with the smaller solids and drilling fluid passing through the screen(s) into the active system. All drilled solids above 74 microns are undesirable in any drilling fluid. API 200 (74-micron) screens are so desirable on shale shakers for this reason. Weighting materials that meet American Petroleum Institute (API) specifications still have 3% by weight larger than 74 microns. Screens this size may remove large quantities of barite and may significantly affect the drilling-fluid and well cost.

Shale shakers are the most important and easiest-to-use solids-removal equipment. They are the first line of defense once drilling fluid is returned from the well bore. In most cases, they are highly cost-effective. If shale shakers are used with torn screens, fluid bypassing screens, incorrectly sized screen panels, or worn parts, the remaining solids-removal equipment will not perform properly.

A shale shaker can be used in all drilling applications...