Effect of Amorphous Silica Produced from Pumice and Quartzite on the Flow Characteristics of Drilling Mud

Abstract

Various additives are introduced to drilling mud to control its flow behavior in drilling operations under the desired conditions. These additives can cause increased drilling costs and environmental damage. In recent years, natural materials have mainly been used in drilling mud to reduce the increasing costs. In this study, amorphous silica was obtained by alkaline extraction method from pumice and quartzite, having a large reserve in Turkiye. Amorphous silica, which is cost-effective and easy to supply, was used in the drilling mud and rheological and filtration tests of the fluids. The results obtained from the study indicate that drilling mud with 8, 9, and 10 % of amorphous silica exhibits promising results.