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

Abstract

The characteristics of clays from Abakaliki area, southeastern Nigeria were characterized to establish its suitability in oil industry as drilling mud when compared with naturally active bentonitic clays from Wyoming and Texas which are used in the industry as drilling mud. The chemical, mineralogical and geotechnical properties were employed in assessing the suitability of Abakaliki clays as drilling mud. Mineralogically, the clays were all characterized as dominantly Illite as well as montmorillonite with low percentages of kaolinite. The chemical composition of the clays indicates low percentages of Na 2 O when compared with that of Wyoming bentonite with fairly higher percentages of CaO and K 2 O than are required for drilling mud clays. The clays are plastic; with liquid limit (LL) of 58 8 to 72.8, plastic limit (PL) of 25 to 30 and plasticity index (API) of 26 to 45.8. They classify as inorganic clays of high plasticity (CH) according to Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and as A-7-6 according to American Association of State High and Transportation Official's (AASHTO) classification systems. The natural pH values are greater than 8.10, while the viscosity values varied from 5.9 centipoises to 8.0 centipoises for 10 g clay per 350 ml water. Some of these natural properties (Na 2 O and CaO contents , LL, PI and viscosity) of these Nigerian clays failed to satisfy the required specifications outlined for clays used as drilling mud when compared with the properties of Wyoming bentonite. This clay will possibly yield low plastic viscosities but with additives such as Sodium Carbonate and Carboxymethyl Cellulose, the rheological properties for Abakaliki clay will remarkably improve.

A Synoptic Review of Mineralogical and Chemical Characteristics of Clays in the Southern Part of Nigeria

“…Rheological and physical attributes of the clay were however, said to be poor. [40] were of the opinion attributes of the Abakaliki is considered useful in pharmaceutical, textile, cosmetic and polymer industries. In, the same vein [84]; [40] were of the view that clay mineral in southern eastern Nigeria is considered poor in terms of quality for use as drilling mud in oil industry.…”

“…Other parts of Nigeria with significant concentration of bentonite deposits are the NE region including Gombe, Adamawa and Borno states. In the same vein, [33,40] reported that barite deposit in Nigeria have been indentified in states like Taraba and Bauchi which have about 7.5 million metric tons, other parts of Nigeria with significant concentration of bentonite deposits is the north-east region of Nigeria these include Gombe, Adamawa and Borno states. In the same vein, [33,40] reported the presence of bentonite clays in Abakaliki Formation SE, Nigeria with substantial quantities.…”

“…In the same vein, [33,40] reported that barite deposit in Nigeria have been indentified in states like Taraba and Bauchi which have about 7.5 million metric tons, other parts of Nigeria with significant concentration of bentonite deposits is the north-east region of Nigeria these include Gombe, Adamawa and Borno states. In the same vein, [33,40] reported the presence of bentonite clays in Abakaliki Formation SE, Nigeria with substantial quantities. [46] reported the occurrence of clay deposit in Abia, Anambra and Lagos states for more on this see Table 2.…”

“…Reports from RMRDC and NMC showed that deposits of clays in Nigeria was projected to be slightly above 700 million metric tons [35,36,37,38,39] , with large percentage of it is deposited at Afuze, Edo state south-south, Nigeria having a tonnage of about 70-80 million metric tons of bentonite clay [33,40] . [41] reported that apart from the above mentioned proven reserve of bentonite deposits, there are other localities with bentonite deposits in Nigeria.…”

Evaluation of the mechanical properties and critical slope parameters of mine tailings at Enyigba, South eastern, Nigeria

“…3). The mean annual temperature stands at 28 °C [51]. The area experiences 8 months of rainy season and 4 months of dryness within the year.…”