Title: Effect of inert fibre on performance of B. eurycoma as rheology and filtration control additive in water-based drilling fluid

Authors: T.O. Salawudeen; Akeem Olatunde Arinkoola; M.O. Jimoh; K.K. Salam; Emmanuel O. Ogunmola

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Abstract: B.Eurycoma also known as 'Achi' is one of the lesser known legumes which have not been fully utilised. It is employed in food industry as thickener. In order to create new market for the product, this paper investigates its potential in the production of water based drilling fluid. The fluid was developed using clay from Ohia in Abia State, Nigeria. The effect of Achi with Coconut and Corn starch fiber was investigated on rheology and filtration. Clay beneficiation was achieved by examining KOH, NaOH and NaHCO₃ at different concentrations and time. The best chemical was selected and modified clay was combined with de-fattened Achi, corn starch and coconut fiber for drilling fluid production using experimental design technique. A smaller fluid loss (12 ml/30 Mins/100 psi) when compared to the API recommended value (15 ml/30 Mins/100 psi) was obtained. However, the rheology requires further improvement to meet the API recommended standard.

Keywords: clay beneficiation; Achi; inert fibre; fluid loss; rheology; B. eurycoma; filtration control; additives; water-based drilling fluids; Nigeria; legumes; coconut fibre; corn starch fiber; experimental design; oil wells; natural gas wells.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPE.2016.081763

International Journal of Petroleum Engineering, 2016 Vol.2 No.3, pp.191 - 208

Received: 21 May 2016
Accepted: 24 Aug 2016
Published online: 24 Jan 2017 *

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