Investigating the Filtration Properties of Drilling Mud Formulated from Locally Sourced Clay
Abstract
This study investigated the filtration properties of drilling muds formulated from locally sourced clay. The research was guided by two primary objectives: (1) to formulate a standard API-compliant drilling mud, and (2) to determine the filtration characteristics of the clay-based mud. Standard API procedures were employed in both sample preparation and experimental procedures. Data obtained from the experiments were analyzed using Minitab 2010 statistical tools. The findings revealed that cassava starch is more effective than sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) in sealing permeable formations. Overall, the study demonstrated that starch-based additives significantly enhance the sealing capability of drilling muds in permeable geological formations.
Downloads
References
Blogs, B., Neal, D., Brad, S., Louise, B., Lindsay, F., & Mike, H. (1994). Designing and managing drilling fluid. Oilfield Review, 6(2), 33–34.
Chilingarian, G. V., & Murkhejee, G. (1981). Drilling and drilling fluids (pp. 12–80). New York: Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co.
Darley, A. C. H., & Gray, G. R. (1988). Composition and properties of drilling and completion fluids (5th ed.). Houston: Gulf Publishing.
Falode, O. A., Ehinola, O. A., & Nebeife, P. C. (2008). Evaluation of local bentonitic clay as oil well drilling fluids in Nigeria. Applied Clay Science, 39, 19–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2007.04.009
Hegen, A. G., & Poland, J. A. (1967). Drilling wells in Oklahoma by mud lade fluid method. U.S. Bureau of Mines Mineral Testing, 68.
Omole, O., Adeleye, J. O., Falode, O., Malomo, S., & Oyedeji, O. A. (2013). Investigation into the rheological and filtration properties of drilling mud formulated with clays from Northern Nigeria. Journal of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, 4(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.5897/JPGE11.034
Pitoni, E., & Ballard, D. A. (1999). Changes in solids composition of reservoir drill-in fluids during drilling and the impact on filter cake properties. In SPE European Formation Damage Conference, Hague, Netherlands. SPE Paper No. 54344. https://doi.org/10.2118/54344-MS
Zinati, F. F., Farajzadeh, R., Currie, P. K., & Zitha, P. L. J. (2009). Modeling of external filter cake build-up in radial geometry. Petroleum Science and Technology, 27(7), 746–763. https://doi.org/10.1080/10916460802516383
