Evaluation Of The Impacts Of Locally Sourced Lost Circulation Materials On Drilling Muds Properties

• Author(s): Azuokwu Augustine Azubike ; Azike Rowland Ugochukwu ; Yerima Yakubu
• Paper ID: 1701311
• Page: 187-195
• Published Date: 01-07-2019
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 2 Issue 12 June-2019

Abstract

Lost circulation is one of the most troublesome and costly problems encountered in drilling. Lost circulation often results to excessive and expensive loss of muds and may lead to a blowout, stuck pipe, or formation damage. There are numerous materials which are used to prevent loss circulation. Regrettably most of the materials that are used in Nigerian Oil and Gas fields are imported. The usual argument is that locally sourced materials will adversely affect drilling mud properties. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the impacts of locally sourced loss circulation materials on drilling muds properties. Locally sourced lost circulation materials from agricultural wastes (Rice Husks, Corn Cobs and Walnut shells) were used to formulate drilling mud and the properties evaluated and compared with the drilling formulated using imported lost circulation materials. The muds formulated using lost circulation materials produced from agricultural wastes in most cases have lower viscosity and higher yield points than muds formulated using conventional / commercial lost circulation material. Therefore, they have good prospect for drilling in the sense that their low viscosity will offer less resistance to fluid flow and their higher yield points will enable them carry cuttings better. Muds formulated using Rice Husks as lost circulation materials has better gel strength. Results showed that all the mud samples have desirable mud density and mud cake thickness but the muds formulated using Corn Cobs has lowest fluid loss value.

Keywords

Lost Circulation, Locally Sourced, Agricultural Wastes, Drilling mud Properties

Citations

IRE Journals:
Azuokwu Augustine Azubike , Azike Rowland Ugochukwu , Yerima Yakubu "Evaluation Of The Impacts Of Locally Sourced Lost Circulation Materials On Drilling Muds Properties" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 2 Issue 12 2019 Page 187-195

IEEE:
Azuokwu Augustine Azubike , Azike Rowland Ugochukwu , Yerima Yakubu "Evaluation Of The Impacts Of Locally Sourced Lost Circulation Materials On Drilling Muds Properties" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 2(12)