Rheological Characterisation of Pseudo Oil Base Mud from Local Materials

Abstract

Management of chemical instability in troublesome shales has intensified the need for operators to formulate less reactive muds to safely drill to target depths. While Oil Based Muds (OBMs) mitigate chemically induced drilling problems, they pose constraining issues including disposal and government regulations. Synthetic based drilling fluids (SBF) are a relatively new class of drilling muds that are useful particularly for deepwater and deviated hole drilling. While maintaining chemical stability in drilling operations disposal and biodegradability problems are taken care of. Nevertheless, the base oil for formulating SOBMs is imported at high costs. This work proposes the approach of using local materials such as palm kernel oil, soya beans oil, groundnut oil and palm oil as a base fluid in formulating synthetic base mud. The rheological properties of the locally produced pseudo oil based mud systems were characterized and compared with imported POBM based on API specification. After running chemical analysis, testing the rheological properties and stability of the mud, the palm kernel oil, soya beans oil and ground oil showed comparative results. Developing a local SBM is in line with the local content drive of the federal government and will open new opportunities in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. SOBMs are biodegradable and thus environmental concerns are ruled out. It will also help us earn foreign exchange for the country by exporting surplus in Gulf of Guinea region. Product substitution from local materials will reduce foreign exchange expenditure and job exportation.