Empirical Assessment of African Oil Bean Husk as a Fluid-Loss Control Agent in Oil-Based Drilling Mud

Abstract

Efficiency of drilling mud is partly determined by filtrate loss. In this article, research on suitability of African oil bean husk (AOBH), as a fluid loss control additive for oil-based drilling mud (OBM) is presented. Dry AOBH of particle sizes 63µm, 125µm and 250µm were used. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) and Phenom Prox model of the Scanning Electron Microscope energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were used to determine morphology and chemical properties of AOBH. OBM samples were prepared using the various sizes of AOBH as fluid-loss control additives and Grel Alphatex as industrial grade additives. Power Law Model and Herschel-Bulkley Models were used to model rheology of samples. Results show that AOBH contains mainly asphaltic compounds, is eco-friendly and biodegradable. Results from mud tests show close values in performances of AOBH and industrial grade. Filter cake thickness was 2.1mm – 2.8mm for AOBH-additives mud, but 2.3mm for industrial-additives mud. Filtrate loss was 2.0ml – 3.4ml for AOBH-additives mud, but 2.3ml for industrial-additives mud. Apparent viscosity for AOBH-additives mud was 77.5 -92.0cp, but 99.0cp for industrial–additives mud. Plastic viscosity for AOBH-additives mud was 73.0 - 81.0cp, but 87.0cp for industrial-additives mud. Yield point for AOBH-additives mud was 9.0 – 22.0, but 24.0 for industrial-additives mud. Both models show that efficiency of the mud containing AOBH in cleaning hole increased as grain size of AOBH reduced.