Water-based Mud Research Articles

Remarkable improvement in drilling fluid properties with graphitic-carbon nitride for enhanced wellbore stability.

This study examines the viability of using graphitic-Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4) nanomaterial as shale stabilizer drilling fluid additive having applications in the oil and gas wells drilling. Shale stability is important especially when drilling horizontal and extended reach wells with water-based muds (WBM) to tap unconventional reservoirs namely shale oil and shale gas. For this study, the g-C3N4 nanomaterial was produced by melamine pyrolysis, and characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy techniques. The developed g-C3N4 was used to formulate the WBM and its impact on the formulated mud system's rheological and filtration control characteristics as well as on shale stability was examined. In comparison to the base mud, the treated mud showed lower Fluid Loss (FL) and higher thermal stability. FL was reduced by 41.8% and 68% under Before Hot Rolling (BHR) and After Hot Rolling (AHR) conditions, respectively, with a maximum cake thickness of 1mm. The Yield Point was improved by 52% and 66% under BHR and AHR conditions, respectively. The increase in Plastic Viscosity, and Apparent Viscosity was 23.8%, and 38%, respectively. Shale recovery was 99.6% in g-C3N4 treated fluid compared to 88% in the base fluid. The treated shale Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and the pore volume were significantly reduced compared to the pure shale, indicating significant plugging of shale nano- and micro-pores. The BET surface area of the g-C3N4 treated shale sample was 0.0405m2/g compared to pure shale sample's surface area 0.3501m2/g. Correspondingly, the pore volume of treated shale was 0.000029cm3/g compared to the pure shale sample's pore volume 0.000911cm3/g. Therefore, based on the experimental results obtained, it is inferred that the developed g-C3N4 nanomaterial has potential applications in WBM systems for drilling long shale sections.

A Data Assimilation-Based Method for Real-Time Monitoring and Estimation of Gas Influx Size and Distribution During Gas Migration in a Marine Drilling Riser

Effective well control is essential in marine drilling operations to prevent catastrophic blowouts that endanger human lives and cause severe environmental damage, including long-lasting impacts on marine ecosystems. Accurate real-time monitoring and management of well conditions after taking gas influxes are critical for maintaining safety and environmental protection during offshore drilling operations.When a gas influx becomes trapped in a closed marine drilling riser, its upward migration can result in excessively high surface pressure, presenting significant risks to offshore drilling and well control. Therefore, the accurate estimation of downhole gas influx size and distribution during gas migration events is crucial for effectively managing these situations. The complexities of wellbore two-phase flow and gas migration make direct measurements challenging, leading to potential inaccuracies in traditional modeling approaches. This study introduces a Data Assimilation (DA) technique, employing the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF), to improve the real-time estimation of gas influx rates and distribution, thereby enhancing the accuracy of two-phase flow models in marine drilling.This research utilizes full-scale gas influx migration experiments conducted at Louisiana State University, where gas was injected from the bottom of an experimental well to simulate a riser gas event in a Water-based Mud (WBM) system. Key real-time measurements, including downhole pressure gauges at multiple depths and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) data, were employed to validate the estimated gas influx size and distribution within the riser using the EnKF. The overall gas influx distribution was captured through the real-time estimation of a dimensionless distribution index (DI), offering additional insights into the spatial characteristics of the migrating gas. Additionally, a Drift Flux Model (DFM) calibrated online through DA was used to predict flow parameters such as gas void fraction profiles within the riser during migration. The validation of these predictions demonstrated a strong correlation between the estimated and measured values.The outcomes of this study underscore the effectiveness of the proposed method in estimating parameters that are otherwise difficult to measure directly, thereby improving the predictive accuracy of gas influx behavior in marine drilling risers. This method offers significant practical value by enhancing real-time decision-making and risk management in marine drilling operations that involve gas migration, contributing to the broader goals of offshore drilling safety and marine environment protection.

Lignosulfonate-based deflocculant and its derivatives for water-based drilling mud: A review.

Chromium-based lignosulfonate (CrLS) deflocculants that are commonly used in water-based drilling muds (WBDMs) to deflocculate bentonites under high temperature (HT), high-pressure (HP), and high-salinity (HS) oil well drilling conditions have been found to contain heavy metals such as chromium, which is toxic and degrades rapidly. However, different ways of addressing this issue have been proffered, including the use of natural polymers such as starch, cellulose, or anionic inorganic agents such as sodium polyphosphates with little or no impact. Other lignosulfonate (LS)-based deflocculants, like sodium-based LS and bio-based LS, have shown a number of benefits, such as being better for the environment, more soluble and evenly distributed in WBDMs, more resistant to salt contamination, easily biodegradable, safe, and able to go through different chemical changes. This is due to its abundant functional groups, which make it a suitable alternative to chrome-based deflocculants. This review discusses LS-based deflocculants as possible additives to WBDMs in comparison with some non-LS-based deflocculants under HTHP and HS conditions. This could address the need for safer alternatives to natural polymers or inorganic agents. Based on recently reviewed studies, the advantages, uses, research obstacles, green synthesis, and potential of incorporating nanotechnology-based modification for LS-based deflocculants improvement in WBDMs under HTHP and HS drilling conditions are discussed.

Optimal design of a water-based mud of nanoparticles-natural surfactant and its potential green application to oil well drilling

Optimal design of a water-based mud of nanoparticles-natural surfactant and its potential green application to oil well drilling

Investigation into the Potential of Dry Mango Leaves Powder as Eco-Friendly Additive in Water-Based Drilling Mud

The drilling process relies on drilling fluids to create a safe, usable and cost-effective wellbore. Many additives used to maintain drilling fluid properties are non-biodegradable and pose environmental and human health risks. This concern has increased interest in exploring eco-friendly materials as additives in water-based mud. This study investigated the impact of Dry Mango Leaves Powder (DMLP), obtained from the Kent Mango Tree, as an additive in water-based mud. DMLP was prepared by crushing and sieving it to a 75-micron size. Five drilling fluid samples were created: four with different DMLP concentrations (1.75 g to 7.0 g) and one control without DMLP. The samples were aged for 16 hours at room temperature before assessing the mud weight, pH, and filtration characteristics at room temperature and rheological properties at 77 °F (25 °C), 120 °F (48.8 °C) and 150 °F (65.5 °C). The properties were determined by following the standards of the American Petroleum Institute. The results demonstrated that DMLP effectively reduced alkalinity by 25.2% at a concentration of 7.0g. Rheological values and plastic viscosity decreased with increasing DMLP concentration at 77 °F, 120 °F and 150 °F, though there were no significant changes in the yield point. The addition of DMLP improved gel strengths with the difference in the final and initial gel strength staying below lb/100ft² at all concentrations and temperatures, except for a concentration of 1.75 g at 77 °F. The addition of 7.0 g of DMLP reduced the fluid loss by 22.4%. Although DMLP showed potential in improving gel strength and fluid loss, its effectiveness as a weighting agent remains limited. This study demonstrates the potential of DMLP as an eco-friendly additive to enhance certain properties of water-based mud, making it a promising alternative for sustainable drilling operations.

Spiral-Hole Moderation Enhances Borehole-Image Interpretation in Carbonates

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper IPTC 23355, “Spiral-Hole Moderation Enhances High-Resolution Borehole-Image Interpretation Across Fractured Carbonate Reservoirs,” by Alawi Altarouti, Abdullah Alotaibi, SPE, and Prudencio Guerreiro, Saudi Aramco, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2024 International Petroleum Technology Conference. _ Dynamic phenomena while drilling such as borehole spiraling or corkscrewing can create a physical imprint on the borehole surface, which masks fine features of imaging. During a drilling campaign in a carbonate reservoir using logging-while-drilling (LWD) technology, corkscrewing affected ultrahigh-resolution borehole image quality severely. The complete paper presents the methodology and results of the bit-design test to mitigate the presence of borehole spiraling, resulting in a significantly improved ultrahigh-resolution borehole image. Introduction A recent drilling campaign in an offshore carbonate reservoir in horizontal wellbores required the use of resistivity-based LWD ultrahigh-resolution images (UHRI) with rotary steerable systems (RSS) to evaluate the presence of natural fractures. During LWD logging of the targeted carbonate reservoirs using water-based mud, borehole artifacts were observed as spirals around the borehole. These artifacts had an adverse effect on the borehole-log analysis and interpretation and evaluation of natural fractures, particularly partial fractures that could be masked. In some cases, it was estimated that more than 30% of the fractures could not be identified. Comparing log results of LWD with historical wireline logs run in the same formation and similar well profiles across the field indicated that the artificial spirals only were present when using LWD tools to image the wells. More commonly, borehole spiraling has been observed on a macro scale, wherein the spiraling can be measured in feet. The spiraling in this well was detected only with high-resolution LWD laterolog imaging and affected fracture interpretation. The spiraling remained undetected, below resolution, on the conventional LWD measurements. Methodology Technical Analysis. Spiraling occurred primarily while drilling across relatively soft formations with bulk density values of approximately 2.15 to 2.20 g/cm3. Intervals with higher densities were affected to a lesser extent or not at all. The spiraling occurred in a consistent manner. While downhole shocks and vibration were considered to be a possible cause of spiraling, the periodic occurrence of the traces did not align with the chaotic nature of shocks and vibration. The shape of the traces did not match with possible lateral or axial motions of the bottomhole assemblies (BHAs); however, these spirals may have been caused and aggravated by low-frequency torsional vibrations. Although the level of the stick and slips was found to be medium to high throughout the runs, no evidence supported this theory. The wide range of downhole rotational speed fluctuations could not explain the perfect shape of the spirals. It also was observed that the distance between each trace or spiral correlated with the rate of penetration (ROP) and had constant values in similar ROP ranges. It could have been suspected that the spiraling did not occur across the hard formations because of lower ROP and the overlapping between them as the result of slow drilling. However, the ROP reduced marginally compared with the drilling in the soft formations (approximately only 10%). Thus, ROP was considered one of the lowest-affecting parameters to mitigate spiraling effects.

Evaluating eggshells as sustainable weighting agents in water-based drilling muds: A novel approach for enhanced efficiency and environmental consciousness

This study investigates the utilization of eggshells, a renewable material, as a weighting additive in water-based drilling muds with different exploring concentrations. The primary objectives were to assess the impact of eggshells on the rheological properties of drilling muds and to determine the optimal concentration of eggshells for achieving desired density and stability, drawing comparisons with calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Both eggshell powder (ESP) and CaCO3 effectively increase mud weight to the target density of 8.75 ppg at 30 g. Notably, ESP exhibits favorable rheological properties at 20 g, maintaining low plastic viscosity 2.7, consistent yield points 1.1, and gel strength comparable to CaCO3. Conversely, CaCO3 shows signs of potential deterioration at 30 g indicated by increased viscosity to 3.5 and decreased yield point to 0.5. ESP demonstrates superior filtration performance, displaying a progressive increase in cake thickness with increasing weight 1.32 mm to 3.12 mm compared to the slower cake build-up of CaCO3 0.92 mm to 2.9 mm. Both additives slightly elevate mud pH, potentially enhancing overall stability.

Synthesis and Mechanism Study of an Environmental Additive Used in Water-Based Drilling Fluids from Bovine Bone Glue.

At present, animal bone glue has been widely used in industry, but there are no relevant research reports on its application in the petroleum industry. In this paper, the rheological properties, inhibition, filtration, and temperature resistance performance of modified bone glue (Mbg) were evaluated in water-based drilling fluids, and the results showed that Mbg can significantly affect the performance of water-based muds with minimal dosage, and temperature resistance of Mbg could reach up to 130 °C. The inhibition mechanism of Mbg in drilling fluids was investigated by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results revealed that when 2% Mbg was added, a three-dimensional network structure was formed in an aqueous solution, which reduced the water content from 4.83% to 4.23%. FT-IR analysis showed that Mbg strongly adsorbed onto clay through hydrogen bonding, which reduced the clay particles in based muds from 1.251 µm to 0.789 µm and effectively controlled the filtration loss of the drilling fluids.

Improving the Rheological Properties of Water-based Drilling Muds Using Waste Glass Powder

Improving the Rheological Properties of Water-based Drilling Muds Using Waste Glass Powder

Synergistic effect of nanoparticles and viscoelastic surfactants to improve properties of drilling fluids

The conservation of rheological and filtration properties of drilling fluids is essential during drilling operations. However, high-pressure and high-temperature conditions may affect drilling fluid additives, leading to their degradation and reduced performance during operation. Hence, the main objective of this study is to formulate and evaluate a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) to design water-based drilling nanofluids (DNF). Silica nanomaterials are also incorporated into fluids to improve their main functional characteristics under harsh conditions. The investigation included: i) synthesis and characterization of VES through zeta potential, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and rheological behavior; ii) the effect of the presence of VES combined with silica nanoparticles on the rheological, filtration, thermal, and structural properties by steady and dynamic shear rheological, filter press, thermal aging assays, and SEM(SEM) assays, respectively; and iii) evaluation of filtration properties at the pore scale through a microfluidic approach. The rheological results showed that water-based muds (WBMs) in the presence of VES exhibited shear-thinning and viscoelastic behavior slightly higher than that of WBMs with xanthan gum (XGD). Furthermore, the filtration and thermal properties of the drilling fluid improved in the presence of VES and silica nanoparticles at 0.1 wt%. Compared to the WBMs based on XGD, the 30-min filtrate volume for DNF was reduced by 75%. Moreover, the Herschel-Bulkley model was employed to represent the rheological behavior of fluids with an R2 of approximately 0.99. According to SEM, laminar and spherical microstructures were observed for the WBMs based on VES and XGD, respectively. A uniform distribution of the nanoparticles was observed in the WBMs. The results obtained from microfluidic experiments indicated low dynamic filtration for fluids containing VES and silica nanoparticles. Specifically, the filtrate volume of fluids containing VES and VES with silica nanoparticles at 281 min was 0.35 and 0.04 mL, respectively. The differences in the rheological, filtration, thermal, and structural results were mainly associated with the morphological structure of VES or XGD and surface interactions with other WBMs additives.

Przygotowanie i poprawa właściwości reologicznych naturalnego bentonitu przy użyciu węglanu sodu i karboksymetylocelulozy sodu

Drilling fluids play a critical role in the exploration and production of oil and gas. Among the various types of drilling fluids, water-based mud has attracted significant attention due to its sustainability and low cost compared to synthetic mud. In Kenya, there is an increasing demand for sustainable drilling fluid compounds, such as bentonite, which is readily available in some parts of the country, for example, Isinya and Amboseli. The main drawback for the beneficiation of Kenyan bentonite include low concentration of smectite, high levels of iron contaminant, and inconsistent composition. Hence, there is a need to enhance local bentonite to improve its performance for effective drilling applications. In this work, we incorporated sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as additives to improve the properties of the raw bentonite. The rheological characteristics of both pristine and activated bentonite were investigated using the Rheolab QC rheometer. The findings revealed that the yield point of the Isinya and Amboseli samples increased as a function of the levels of activation reagents (Na2CO3 and CMC). It was noted that more than 1.25w% of Na2CO3 was required to bring the yield stress closer to the required 15 Pa for drilling application. Additionally, the Isinya bentonite (IS3) provided adequate rheological characteristics for drilling muds after compounding with 2.5w% CMC additive. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using the local bentonite in Kenya for drilling applications. In the future, we will explore the potential of using other additives to further enhance the properties of local bentonite for geothermal power production, with the goal of lowering electricity generation cost and supporting ongoing efforts to provide reliable and affordable energy, as proposed in Kenya Vision 2030 project.

Novel application of citric acid based natural deep eutectic solvent in drilling fluids for shale swelling prevention

Swelling of shale in clastic reservoirs poses a significant challenge, causing instability in wellbores. Utilizing water-based drilling mud with shale inhibitors is preferable for environmental reasons over oil-based mud. Ionic liquids (ILs) have garnered interest as shale inhibitors due to their customizable properties and strong electrostatic features. However, widely used imidazolium-based ILs in drilling fluids are found to be toxic, non-biodegradable, and expensive. Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES), considered a more economical and less toxic alternative to ILs, still fall short in terms of environmental sustainability. The latest advancement in this field introduces Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES), renowned for their genuine eco-friendliness. This study explores NADES formulated with citric acid (as a Hydrogen Bond Acceptor) and glycerine (as a Hydrogen Bond Donor) as additives in drilling fluids. The NADES based drilling mud was prepared according to API 13B-1 standards and their efficacy was compared with KCl, imidazolium based ionic liquid, and Choline Chloride: Urea-DES based mud. A thorough physicochemical characterization of the in-house prepared NADES is detailed. The research evaluates rheological, filtration and shale inhibition properties of the mud, demonstrating that NADES enhanced the yield point to plastic viscosity ratio (YP/PV), reduced mudcake thickness by 26%, and decreased filtrate volume by 30.1% at a 3% concentration. Notably, NADES achieved an impressive 49.14% inhibition of swelling and improved shale recovery by 86.36%. These outcomes are attributed to NADES’ ability to modify surface activity, zeta potential, and clay layer spacing which are discussed to understand the underlying mechanism. This sustainable drilling fluid promises to reshape the drilling industry by offering a non-toxic, cost-effective, and highly efficient alternative to conventional shale inhibitors, paving the way for environmentally conscious drilling practices.

Evaluation of filtration characteristics of bentonite-free water-based mud utilizing carboxymethylated tapioca starch

Optimizing filtercake thickness is crucial to prevent fluid losses during well drilling and avoid borehole instability and complex operations. This research develops a non-damaging water-based mud with chemically modified carboxymethylated tapioca starch and investigating its filtration control properties. Fluid loss volume and filtercake thickness were determined both at API, HPHT (500 psi and 212 °F), and hot roll temperatures (200, 230, and 260 °F) using filterpress. The mud’s properties were compared to the existing fluid loss control agent-PAC-LV. The results indicated that optimum samples exhibited 17.33% reduction before hot rolling and 46.76%, 31.67%, and 70.51% reductions at 200, 230, and 260 °F, respectively. At ambient and after hot rolling at 200 °F and 230 °F, 8 ppb CMTS concentration achieved the lowest cake thickness. At 260 °F, the 10-ppb concentration had the lowest thickness. Optimized values resulted in permeability reductions of 49.73%, 58.74%, 57.04%, and 60.10% for BHR and AHR at 200, 230, and 260 °F, respectively. Morphological study showed the fingerlike structure effectively bound free water and plugged channels, reducing permeability and fluid loss volume.

Investigation on the effect of coconut husk biofiber powder on the rheological and filtration properties of water-based drilling fluid

One of the major problems encountered during drilling deeper wells is the loss of critical properties such as rheology and fluid loss control. Effective water-based muds with potential additives can improve the effectiveness of drilling operations all over the world and are very successful at resolving such issues without damaging and penetrating the formation. Many materials have been studied to prove their economic aspects for the purpose of controlling filtration loss in drilling operation. The concentration of additive is a crucial variable in assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of drilling fluid. The use of coconut husk as an additive is a novel approach and can be economically favorable for sustainable drilling. It also aids in waste management. This paper focuses on the development of drilling fluid using coconut husk as a potential additive as well as determining its rheological properties along with filtration loss using specialized laboratory equipment such Fann VG viscometer and API filtration press respectively. Mud balance was used for determination of drilling fluid density. Moreover, different particle sizes (600-425 μm, 425-300 μm, 300-150 μm and <150 μm) and concentrations (1 g, 3 g, and 5 g) of coconut husk are taken into consideration and their properties are then compared with that of conventional drilling fluid to optimize the size and concentration of the husk. The experimental results illustrated the success of coconut husk biofiber in improving the rheological and fluid loss properties of the drilling fluids. Results show that coconut husk biofiber powder can be used as effective candidate for improvement of rheological properties and controlling filtrate loss of water-based drilling muds.

Evaluation of shell powders of bush mango and hamburger bean as eco-friendly fluid loss control additives in water-based drilling mud

The use of agro-based additives in drilling mud to reduce fluid loss and improve the rheological properties of mud has gained enormous attention owing to its biodegradability and low cost. This study evaluates the effects of shell powders of hamburger bean and bush mango as eco-friendly and cheap filtration control additives in water-based mud. Samples were formulated with different concentrations (5 g, 10 g, 15 g, and 20 g) of the shell powders to determine their effects on the filtration and rheological properties of the mud. From the results, both hamburger beans and bush mango shell powders improved the rheological properties of the fluid. Meanwhile, only 15 and 20 g of Bush mango shell powders reduce fluid loss by 10.5 and 13.2%, respectively. Similarly, the addition of 5 g, 10 g, 15 g, and 20 g of hamburger bean shell powders reduced fluid loss by 1.4, 8.82, 14.71, and 20.6%, respectively. Both Bush Mango and Hamburger Beans shell powders based mud produced cake thickness between 1.2 and 1.8 mm. The research demonstrates that Hamburger Beans shell powders provides a progressive decrease in filtration rate as the content increases, and it stand as a cheap and eco-friendly alternative additive for the enhancement of rheological and filtration properties in water-based drilling fluids.

Exploring the rheology characteristics of Flowzan and Xanthan polymers in drilling water based fluids at high-temperature and high-shear rates

The study of drilling fluid behaviour across various temperature conditions is of paramount importance for industries such as oil and gas extraction, mineral exploration, and large-scale construction projects. To address this need, a custom-designed viscometer known as the Australian University of Kuwait Taylor-Couette System (AUTCS) was developed. The AUTCS apparatus incorporates a Taylor-Couette system, consisting of two co-axial cylinders with a testing liquid capacity of 100 ml. The inner cylinder can be rotated at speeds ranging from 0 to 3000 rpm. This configuration provides an economical testing system that is particularly suitable for studying expensive drilling fluids. To investigate high-temperature (HT) conditions, the apparatus is equipped with a controllable heating film jacket capable of warming fluids up to 350 F. One specific area of interest in the drilling industry is the exploration of less commonly used polymers, such as Flowzan and Xanthan, in water-based mud (WBM). Flowzan has gained increasing attention due to its potential applications in drilling fields. To facilitate the study of Flowzan and Xanthan, the AUTCS viscometer was fine-tuned using the standard conventional lab viscometer, FANN, that has limitations in terms of rotational speed range (0–600 RPM) and temperature range. The rheology characteristics of Flowzan and Xanthan including consistency charts, viscosity, and darcy friction factor are obtained and presented at temperatures of 79 F, 104 F, and 150 F, across a range of speeds from 0 to 3000 RPM. The findings were examined across several correlation functions. It is found that the Herschel–Bulkley model best represent Flow Zan and Xanthan polymers. These correlations contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the new polymers’ performance under different temperature and speed conditions in drilling applications.

Increasing the Thermal Resistance of Water-Based Mud for Drilling Geothermal Wells

Energy demand and growing environmental concerns have fueled increased interest in geothermal drilling in recent decades. The high temperature and pressure in the boreholes present significant challenges to drilling, particularly in terms of the selection of suitable drilling mud, cement slurry, and drilling equipment. Drilling mud is regarded as one of the primary factors that affect the cost and success of geothermal drilling. This paper presents experimental studies aimed at assessing the thermal stability of drilling muds for geothermal drilling. Research on the antidegradation of polymers contained in drilling muds is presented. The thermal stability of drilling fluids was evaluated on the basis of changes in rheological and filtration parameters under the influence of a temperature of 160 °C. Attempts were made to increase the thermal resistance of drilling fluids by using antioxidants and glycol compounds. The effectiveness of increasing the thermal resistance of muds by adding synthetic polymers, nanomaterials, and graphite was tested. A new way of increasing the thermal resistance of drilling muds by using fatty amine compounds in combination with the amine agent ‘TEA’ was proposed. Tests showed that the addition of polyglycol and the antioxidant agent sodium ascorbate to the mud did not protect the polymers from decomposition at 160 °C. There was no effect of increasing the thermal conductivity on improving the thermal resistance of the scrubber. Based on the analysis of results from laboratory tests, a composition of a water-based drilling mud without bentonite was developed for drilling geothermal wells. The developed drilling mud is characterized by thermal resistance up to 160 °C, stable rheological parameters, low filtration, and appropriate thermal conductivity characteristics.

Exploring the Performance of Dry Bamboo Leaves Powder from Bambusa Heterostachya as Additive in Water-Based Mud

In the evolving landscape of petroleum drilling, the quest for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional mud additives is paramount. This study explored the performance of Dry Bamboo Leaves Powder (DBLP) from Bambusa heterostachya as an additive in water-based mud. Dry Bamboo Leaves were obtained, crushed, and then sieved to 106-micron size. Mud properties, including mud weight, plastic viscosity, yield point, gel strength, mud cake thickness and filtrate volume were examined under fresh conditions by integrating different concentrations of DBLP (3.5 g, 7.0 g, 10.5 g, and 14 g). The laboratory experiments adhered to the standards set by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The introduction of DBLP concentrations resulted in a reduction in the alkalinity and mud weight of the drilling mud. Additionally, the drilling mud's yield point and plastic viscosity were altered at different DBLP concentrations. The inclusion of DBLP enhanced the gel strength and decreased filtrate volume while maintaining the same mud cake thickness.

Implementation of selective flocculation process in drilling operations to optimize per-flex fluid volume consumption and reduce the carbon footprint

One of the significant challenges faced by the oil and gas industry is the reduction of the carbon footprint associated with drilling operations. This paper presents a case study on the implementation of a selective flocculation process to optimize the consumption of PER-FLEX fluid, a high-performance water-based mud (WBM), during drilling operations. Conducted in a Colombian oil field, this study demonstrates how the adjustment of polymer concentration and injection rates in the flocculation process can reduce the need for fluid dilution, thereby decreasing water and chemical consumption, waste production, and CO2 equivalent (CO2 eq.) emissions. The findings highlight the effectiveness of selective flocculation in enhancing drilling fluid performance and contributing to sustainability goals.

Retraction of "On Improving Water-Based Drilling Mud Swelling Control Using Modified Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)s".

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08317.].