Abstract
The development of an automated viscometry system for real-time monitoring of drilling fluid degradation is presented. Traditional manual Fann 35 measurements, typically performed at 6-12-hour intervals, often fail to detect rheological changes in a timely manner, leading to delayed corrective actions and increased non-productive time. This study designed and validated a fully automated coaxial cylinder viscometer integrated with an online sampling loop, self-cleaning mechanism, and intelligent degradation detection algorithms. The system provides high-frequency measurements of key rheological parameters including plastic viscosity, yield point, gel strength, and Power Law coefficients with accuracy within 2.8-4.1% compared to the manual reference method. Laboratory and simulated field tests demonstrated reliable detection of thermal, solids, and chemical degradation events 2 to 5 hours earlier than conventional manual monitoring. The technology offers significant potential for reducing non-productive time, enhancing drilling safety, and enabling integration with automated fluid treatment and digital drilling systems. Results confirm the system’s robustness under vibration, temperature variations, and high-solids conditions, representing a practical step toward real-time, data-driven drilling fluid management.