Derivation-Based pH Correction Method for High-Weight Salt-Saturated Water-Based Mud (SSWBM)

Abstract

Accurate pH measurement in High-Weight, Salt Saturated Water-Based Mud (>20 kPa/m) is frequently compromised by extreme salinity and high solids content, which interfere with conventional measurement techniques, presenting significant technical challenges at rig sites, in high-pressure salt formation sections in the Middle East. Extreme salinity typical of regional deep well operation (approximately 190 kg/m3) masks pH paper response, while high barite solids (∼ 40%) rapidly coat pH meter electrodes, resulting in falsely low pH readings. This paper presents a pH correction framework based on fundamental dilution principles and logarithmic relationships between ion concentration and pH. The theoretical approach is supported by laboratory datasets. A 1:1 dilution combined with a +0.3 correction factor is proposed for practical field application. This framework is suitable for technical discussion and future experimental validation.