Comparative Evaluation of Rheological Properties of Standard Commercial Bentonite and a Locally Beneficiated Bentonitic Clay from a Marine Deposit in Upper Benue Basin, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is ranked the seventh largest exporter of crude oil in the world. On a daily basis, it produces over two million barrels of crude Oil from hundreds of Oil wells drilled in the Niger Delta area. Not a single of these Oil wells are drilled without the use of Bentonite. Bentonite is a clay powder that is mixed with water (drilling mud) and forced through a drilling string into the wellbore during drilling operations in order to float and lift drilled cuttings out of the well, control the down-hole temperature, lubricate drilling bit, prevent corrosion and stabilize the wall of the hole from collapsing among other things. A very large sum of money is being spent by the Oil companies operating in Nigeria on the importation of millions of tons of Bentonite from overseas for Oil well drilling. Nigeria has large reserve of Bentonitic clay deposit that if properly utilized will go a long way in supporting the Oil well drilling demand in the country. This will translate into retaining the large sum of money sent overseas for importation of foreign Bentonite, create employment opportunities, bring external investment and boost the country's economy. Though the Bentonite deposits studied are Ca-based, it can be beneficiated to a level that is comparable with the standard compliance. This study has beneficiated local Bentonitic clay using Na 2 CO 3 as the beneficiating agent and ion exchange as the procedure. The rheological properties of the beneficiated clay were determined together

Comparative evaluation of clays from Abakaliki Formation with commercial bentonite clays for use as drilling mud

“…The result suggests that the clays generally have low G s values (average of 2.48) when compared with that of Texas bentonitic clay which has specific gravity range of 2.50 to 2.80 g/cm 3 . Commercial Bentonite sample of China origin according to Abdullahi et al (2011) has specific gravity of 2.87. Kearey (2001) noted that a crystal of montmorillonite would have G s of about 2.74.…”

Economic Evaluation of Beneficiating Nigerian Bentonite Using Periwinkle Shell and Mucuna Solannie

“…Previous studies on DFs produced from strictly NB have demonstrated that such DFs have high fluid loss and poor rheological properties. This is likely due to poor quality of NB and hence the need for beneficiation [8]. As bentonite clay demand rises and with the movement of the activities of gas and oil exploration to deep offshore locations, it has become imperative for NB clays' properties to be enhanced so as to meet up with the API standard.…”

Evaluating the Suitability of Clays from Abakaliki Area, Southeastern Nigeria for Oil Industrial Application Using Geotechnical and Rheological Properties

“…The result suggests that the clays generally have low G s values (average of 2.48) when compared with that of Texas bentonitic clay which has specific gravity range of 2.50 to 2.80g/cm 3 . Commercial Bentonite sample of China origin according to (Abdullahi, et al, 2011) has specific gravity of 2.87. Kearey, (2001) noted that a crystal of montmorillonite would have G s of about 2.74.…”