Real-Time Drilling Fluid Monitoring and Mud Rheology Tracking
You manage wells where a single unnoticed fluid trend can lead to non productive time.
Most drilling events don't start suddenly. They develop as gradual deviations between mud checks: trends form, yield point drifts, solids concentration shifts, barite begins to drop out.
By the time the event is visible, the wellbore has already reacted. That blind window is where fluid driven NPT begins.
That blind window is where fluid-driven NPT begins. ARM removes that blind window entirely.
ARM is a rig-site fluid monitoring system designed to provide automated mud rheology measurements and continuous, real-time tracking of drilling fluid properties. It is built for today's fast-paced drilling environments, where operational efficiency, consistency, and repeatability are essential.
The system ensures consistent and accurate data collection, supporting better decision-making and reducing variability in drilling operations. Its real-time monitoring capabilities help maintain optimal fluid performance at all times.
With a focus on simplicity, ARM features a compact footprint and a plug-and-play setup, enabling rapid deployment with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
ARM operates fully autonomously, requiring no routine maintenance or on-site supervision. This allows rig crews to focus on critical tasks while ensuring continuous access to high-quality fluid data.
Get detailed information on our cutting-edge equipment and solutions by downloading our brochure here.
Real-time drilling fluid monitoring is the continuous, live measurement and analysis of drilling mud properties including mud weight, viscosity, temperature, and flow characteristics, while drilling is actively occurring. Without it, crews rely on periodic manual mud checks that can leave critical changes in fluid behavior undetected for hours. Aerion's ARM unit eliminates those blind spots by providing an uninterrupted data stream from the active circulating system, empowering drilling teams to make proactive decisions that protect well integrity and reduce non-productive time.
The ARM unit measures 74" × 31" × 35" (L × W × H), weighs 480 lbs, and is built on a heavy-duty steel skid with a sealed panel for protection in harsh rig environments. The unit is forklift compatible for easy mobilization between locations. Power requirements are 480V, 50/60 Hz. The accompanying pump unit measures 39" × 16" × 19" (L × W × H) and weighs 356 lbs.
For optimal performance, the ARM unit should be positioned at ground level as close to the active circulating mud tank as possible. The ARM pump is mounted on top of the active tank near the suction point, drawing fluid from the midpoint of the tank and discharging back into the same tank. Aerion provides technician support to handle rig up and installation.
The data is continuous, real time and is refreshed every 5 seconds.
| Pump GPM | Yield Point | 6 RPM | Solids (%) | HGS (%) |
| Suction Temp | 600 RPM | 3 RPM | Oil (%) | LGS (%) |
| Mud Weight | 300 RPM | Gel Str 10s | Water (%) | ASG |
| Funnel Viscosity | 200 RPM | Gel Str 10m | Solids Salt Adj. | Cuttings (%) |
| Plastic Viscosity | 100 RPM | Gel Str 30m | Brine Density | Chlorides |
ARM data is streamed in real time and refreshed every 5 seconds, accessible directly on a phone, laptop or dedicated display in a customizable dashboard format. Key fluid properties can be prioritized, and minimum and maximum tolerances can be configured with automated alerts to notify personnel when measurements move outside desired parameters. Dashboards are set up by Aerion during onboarding and can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of each operation.
In addition to streaming continuous real time data, ARM provides a comparative report alongside the daily mud report, showing timestamped ARM measurements against those recorded by the mud engineer across key properties. Any differences between the two data sets are clearly identified, giving operators and drilling teams an independent reference point for validating fluid properties and making informed decisions.
ARM transmits data via WITS and WITSML protocols and offers cellular, ethernet, and WiFi connectivity, making it compatible with leading EDR and drilling analytics platforms including MD Totco, AI Driller, Corva, Rig Cloud, and others. Integration is plug and play with no additional configuration required.
Aerion's Technical Team works directly with each customer to build a customized dashboard tailored to their operational priorities. Data can be displayed in multiple formats, including real-time trend lines and historical charts allowing drilling teams to monitor current conditions and review fluid behavior across the life of the well. Historical data is stored [locally / in the cloud / for X days or the duration of the well] and is accessible at any time. Aerion's Technical Team can configure minimum and maximum tolerances for critical measurements, with automated alerts delivered via [text, email, and/or in-app notification] to notify relevant personnel when fluid properties move outside desired parameters. Dashboard access can be granted to multiple users including operators, company men and mud engineers.
ARM is designed for continuous, low-maintenance operation. Routine housekeeping including sensor cleaning, line checks and system verification is minimal and typically performed during rig moves to avoid any interruption to drilling operations. Sensor calibration is handled remotely by Aerion and requires no action from the rig crew. Best in class service is a core value of Aerion, with on the ground support available 24/7 to diagnose and resolve any technical issues quickly. Rig crews are not expected to perform any specialized maintenance on the unit.
While ARM is fully automated and requires no manual sampling, it is not designed to replace the mud engineer, but to fill the gaps between mud checks. As a result, mud engineers have come to rely on ARM’s continuous data stream as a tool to proactively keep fluid properties within the desired specifications and alert them to changes that are happening downhole.