1

API RP 13C: An Explanation and Answers to

Frequently Asked Questions
The following document was produced and approved by Task Group 5 of API Subcommittee 13.
This document is available for distribution throughout the Industry.

Summary
API has revised the shale shaker screen testing procedures and numbering convention. By using the
new API Screen Number, confusion among screen types is reduced and comparison between screen
types can be made fairer. Some screens which may previously have been named 200 mesh may
now have an API Screen Number of only 100 to 140. However, ALL screens which are tested
according to RP 13C and have the same API Screen Number will remove solids of a similar size.
Note: The change from using D50 to D100 (50% of a specific particle size removed versus 100%) will
change the rating of most screens the extent of the change being dependent upon screen
type/design.
The new number describes the size at which particles will be rejected (removed) under laboratory
test conditions. The new API number is NOT intended to describe how the screen (or indeed the
shaker) will operate in the field. This will depend upon several other parameters such as fluid type
and properties, shaker design, operating parameters, ROP, bit type, etc.
The greatest value of the new numbering system is that ALL conforming screens are measured using
the same process which will allow cross-comparison of screen designs/types based on a uniform
solids size removal value.
Any manufacturer labeling their screens as conforming to API RP 13C must supply the test data
for that screen upon request to the end user/purchaser.

Definitions
Mesh: Mesh, as it relates to a piece of woven wirecloth, is a measure of the number
of holes in a linear inch (such as 100 mesh) or in a linear inch in each direction (such
as 100 x 60 mesh).
D50 Cut Point: The D50 cut point of a screen is the particle size at which half of those
particles reporting to the screen will pass through the screen and half will be
retained.
D100 Cut Point: The D100 cut point of a screen is the largest particle size which will
pass through the screen.
API Screen Number: The API Screen Number is determined using a specific test
procedure (as described in API RP 13C). The test uses a specifically graded sample of
aluminum oxide, which passes through the unknown screen mounted amongst a
stack of ASTM test sieves. The test method determines the D100 cut point of the test
screen and relates it to the D100 of an equivalent standard ASTM test sieve.

Produced by API SC13, Task Group 5, Work Group 2

Released June 2010.

API RP 13C: An Explanation and Answers to FAQs

Screen Conductance: Conductance, measured in kilodarcies per millimeter

(kD/mm), defines a Newtonian fluids ability to flow through a unit area of screen in
a laminar flow regime under prescribed test conditions. All other factors being equal
the screen with the higher conductance number should process more flow.
Non-Blanked Area: The non-blanked area of a screen describes the net unblocked
area in square feet (ft) or square meters (m) available to permit the passage of
fluid.

Background
The use of the term mesh (when considering the capabilities of shaker screens) was made
obsolete by the introduction of oblong mesh and multi-layer screens which resulted in variations in
aperture sizes. The following photomicrographs (enlarged 60x) show four different screens from
four different manufacturers.

Figure 1 Illustration of the potential confusion caused by non-standard screen nomenclature (Images
courtesy of Derrick Equipment Company)

Rig-based personnel continued to rely on the mesh number indicated by the manufacturer. This
may have borne little relationship to the actual separation potential of the screen being used.
Hence, comparison of screens from different manufacturers (or even across one manufacturers
series) could be difficult or inaccurate.
In December 2004, the API SC13 voted to accept API RP 13C entitled Recommended Practice on
Drilling Fluids Processing Systems Evaluation. The practice combined and updated two previous
separate documents API RP 13C and API RP 13E. This document was also passed by International
Standards Organization as ISO 13501.
API RP 13C covers a number of subjects relating to fluids treatment systems. However this tutorial
only addresses screen testing (cut point and conductance), classification and labeling.

Produced by API SC13, Task Group 5, Work Group 2

Released June 2010.

API RP 13C: An Explanation and Answers to FAQs

API Screen Number Determination

API RP 13C describes a method to define and compare the absolute (or D100) separation potential of
any shale shaker screen to an equivalent standard ASTM test sieve. A representative section of the
screen is mounted in a holder (Figure 2) and is placed in the middle of a stack of ASTM test sieves
(calibrated according to ASTM E-11). Using a Ro-Tap or equivalent mechanical sieving device (Figure
3), a defined amount of dry aluminum oxide is sieved and the results collated and graphed. The test
is repeated three times and the results from each test are then averaged to determine the D100 cut
point.

Figure 2 Test screen mounted in screen holder (Image courtesy of Derrick Equipment Company)

Figure 3 Test screen mounted between ASTM test sieves (Image courtesy of Derrick Equipment Company)

Produced by API SC13, Task Group 5, Work Group 2

Released June 2010.

API RP 13C: An Explanation and Answers to FAQs

This resulting cut point is the absolute or D100 cut point. Any particle larger than this value will not
pass through the screen. The cut point is cross-referred in Table 1 taken from the API RP 13C
document and compared to standard ASTM sieves of known separation ability.
For example, if the measured D100 cut point of the test screen is 114.88 microns (114.88), the table
indicates that it compares to the ASTM 140 sieve. The test screen would then be classified as an API
140 screen.
Table 1 API RP 13C Screen Designation

Important Note: API RP 13C states that this test describes the openings of the screen and does not
predict the performance of the screen in the field. However, if all other variables are equal, a screen
with a higher API Screen Number (smaller holes) should remove more and finer solids.

Comparison with API RP 13E

The predecessor to the new API RP 13C was called API RP 13E. The former procedure used a light
source, a microscope and a computer system to measure the size and distribution of apertures
within a screen. Values for d16, d50, and d84 were calculated from the results.
The D50 was called the mean value and was generally considered the primary cut point used to
name the screen. Figure 4 illustrates how screens classified by their D50 (75 ) could have very
different D100 values. The graph also shows a comparison with the standard ASTM 200 sieve.

Produced by API SC13, Task Group 5, Work Group 2

Released June 2010.

API RP 13C: An Explanation and Answers to FAQs

Figure 4 Impact of API RP 13C on screen nomenclature

Figure 5 Comparison of API RP 13E (old) and API RP 13C (new) Image courtesy of Brandt NOV

Produced by API SC13, Task Group 5, Work Group 2

Released June 2010.

API RP 13C: An Explanation and Answers to FAQs

Figure 5 also illustrates the potential difference between the D50 (API RP 13E) and the D100 used in
the new procedure. The change from API RP 13E to API RP 13C is a positive step because the new
procedure moves away from measuring openings in the screen to an actual physical test using real
solids. One further advantage of API RP 13C is that any screen with any aperture shape can be
tested using the same procedures.

Rig Site Performance

API RP 13C does not predict rig site performance given the myriad combinations of screens, shakers,
fluids, flow-rates, solids loadings, etc. Performance will depend upon various factors including the
properties of the fluid, the operational parameters of the shaker and the particle size distribution of
the drilled solids presented to the screens.

Labelling Requirements
API RP 13C states that the designation system (labelling) will consist of no fewer than the following
minimum elements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

API Screen Designation or API number (this must be 2X larger than any other information);
D100 (Equivalent Aperture) in microns ();
Conductance in kilodarcies per millimeter (kD/mm);
Non-blanked screen area in square meters (m2) or square feet (ft2);
Manufacturers Designation and/or Part Number: (although not currently required to
conform to API RP 13C, API recommends manufacturers use the API screen designation in
the part number);
6. Conforms to API RP 13C.

The following information is optional (but recommended):

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Manufacturers name
Application or description
Country of origin
Lot number
Date of manufacture
Order number
Bar code

The label/tag must be permanently attached to the screen in a visible place. Examples are shown in
Figures 6 and 7:

Produced by API SC13, Task Group 5, Work Group 2

Released June 2010.

API RP 13C: An Explanation and Answers to FAQs

Figure 6 Horizontal format and label example

Figure 7 Vertical format and label example

Putting the Label to Use

Because screens that conform to API RP 13C have all been tested using the same procedure, the
labels are very helpful when it comes to comparing different screens. For example, if it is
determined that there is a need for the cut point provided by an API 170 screen then a screen
labelled API 170 can be selected regardless of the manufacturer of the screen. All other factors
being equal the screen with the higher conductance number should process more flow.
Alternatively, if there is excess shaker capacity but longer screen life is desired, selecting a screen
with larger diameter wires and perhaps more bonding material should provide increased screen life.
Using screens conforming to API RP 13C can help the operator make a more informed decision.

Conclusion
By specifying screens that conform to API RP 13C, much of the previous confusion can be eliminated
and screen selection/comparison simplified.

Produced by API SC13, Task Group 5, Work Group 2

Released June 2010.

API RP 13C: An Explanation and Answers to FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the D100?
a. The D100 cut point of a screen is the largest particle size which will pass through the screen.
b. D100 is a single number determined from a prescribed laboratory procedure the results of
the procedure should yield the same value for any given screen.
c. The D100 should not be compared in any way to the D50 value used in API RP 13E.
d. The method used in API RP 13C provides only the D100 value with no provision for d16, d50, or
d84 values.
2. What does the API Screen Number tell us?
a. The API Screen Number corresponds to the API defined range of sizes into which the D100
value falls.
3. What does the API Screen Number NOT tell us?
a. The API Screen Number is a single number which defines solids separation potential under
specific test conditions. It does NOT define how a screen will operate on a shaker in the
field as this will depend upon several other parameters such as fluid type & properties,
shaker design, operating parameters, ROP, bit type, etc.
4. Will a screen with a D100 of 172 remove solids finer than 172?
a. By definition, every particle of the D100 size or coarser will be discarded.
b. In practice some portion of solids finer than 172 may be removed.
5. Why is there such a large variance between the old and new labeling values?
a. The biggest variation is due to the shift from using D50 to D100.
b. The previous test procedure (API RP 13E) measured the distribution of the apertures in the
screen.
c. API RP 13C uses a physical and repeatable test using actual solids (dry aluminum oxide)
which measures the coarsest particle that can pass through the screen.
6. Should I use the old screen number or the new API Screen Number when ordering replacement
screens?
a. Although some companies are changing their part numbers to reflect their conformance to
API RP 13C, others are not. It is therefore best to specify the API RP 13C value you want.
7. Should I screen with a finer screen now if what used to be called a 200 mesh screen is now
labeled API 120?
a. Users are advised to determine the screens that work best in their applications regardless
of what the new API Screen Number happens to be.
8. What is the practical value of API RP 13C to the end user?
a. API RP 13C provides an unequivocal procedure and benchmark for comparing different
screens.
b. The primary intent of API RP 13C is to provide a standard measuring system for screens.

Produced by API SC13, Task Group 5, Work Group 2

Released June 2010.