Rheological Properties of Terminalia Mantaly Exudate as Drilling Mud Additive

Abstract

Polymers are known for controlling fluid loss and modifying rheology in drilling muds through polymer chain entanglement and polymer-solvent interactions. Natural polymers have been used in the formulation of drilling muds, mainly due to their high molecular weight and eco-friendliness but they have limitations in controlling fluid loss, modifying viscosity or forming good gel strength in saline and thermal environments. This study reports laboratory evaluation of Terminalia mantaly exudates as viscosifier in drilling mud formulations. The effects of polymer concentrations, temperature, pH and salinity on the rheological properties of this novel biopolymer were investigated. Results obtained show that as polymer concentration increases (0.5% – 2.5%w/v), the rheological properties (apparent viscosity, plastic viscosity and yield point) of the biopolymer increased. At the polymer concentrations investigated, an increase in temperature (80°F-150°F) results in a slight decrease in the rheological properties of the polymer. At 2%w/v polymer concentration, an increase in salinity results in a slight decrease in its rheological properties, while at 1.5%w/v polymer concentration, an increase in pH (4-10) shows no significant change in the rheological properties. The shear stress increases with increase in shear rate and obeys the Bingham plastic model. The results obtained show that the polymer has a good alkaline resistance at pH above 7 and stable rheological properties at increased salinity and temperature. This has been attributed to the stable repulsive forces of the negatively charged polyelectrolyte of the polymer as salinity increases. From the results obtained in this study, Terminalia mantaly exudate can be a substitute for conventional natural polymers in water-based drilling muds.

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Monovalent and Divalent Ions on Imported Biopolymer-Xanthan Gum and Locally Formulated Biopolymers-Gum Arabic and Terminalia Mantaly

“…12, 13, and 14 have equal heights, showing the same apparent viscosity for all. This is consistent with earlier works by [39].This is because of the stable repulsive charge polyelectrolyte of the polymer when salinity increases. For the GA, at no salt, the apparent viscosity was higher than for NaCl 0.75%, NaCl 3.5% and CaCl 2 2.0%.…”

“…The study showed that Terminalia Mantaly polymer has good alkaline at pH above 7 and stable rheological properties as both salinity and temperature are increased. This is as a result of the stable repulsive charges polyelectrolyte of the polymer when salinity increases [39].…”

Application of Empty Oil Palm Bunches as CMC to Prevent Loss Circulation

“…This means CMC from empty oil palm fruit bunches is a suitable replacement for the industrial counterpart, to sustain cutting in the borehole, without falling or settling at the bottom. A study by Inemugha et al (2019) reported an increase in gel strength with the increase in the content of CMC from Terminalia Mantaly Exudate and consequent prevention of loss circulation.…”

The Effect of pH and Salinity on the Rheological Properties of Drilling Mud Formulation from Natural Polymers

“…Terminaliamantaly exudates have been widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as binding agent in tablet formulation (Oluyemisi et al, 2012;Michael et al, 2017). Its suitability as a viscosifier in water-based drilling mud have also been studied (Inemugha et al 2019). Studies have shown that the molecular structure of this exudates contain highly branched polysaccharides consisting of galacturonic, glucuronic and 4-O-methylglucuronic acids, as well as galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, mannose and xylose but neutral sugars and total uronic acid content may vary with different type of Terminalia gum.…”