| Peer-Reviewed

Characterization of Local Clay for Drilling Mud Production

Received: 10 January 2022     Accepted: 3 February 2022     Published: 25 February 2022
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Oil companies’dealing with drilling operations in Nigeria often spends millions of dollars in importation of bentonite for its operations as a result of its importance and high demand. As a result of this, attempt to source for local substitute has been initiated, which if successful would save the nation from this huge capital flight. In this study, a sample of Umuna local clay deposit was evaluated for drilling fluid application. The viscosity and filtration loss was analyzed and it’s far below that of the imported bentonite. The properties of the local clay was improved by addingmaterials such as HV-CMC, Drispac polymer and bentonite extenders to the formulated mud to enhance its viscosity and filtration loss Also the shearing speed was increased, but the used speed is limited to practical shearing speed. Theclay yield and characterization of the beneficiated samples show that the treated local clay is slightly comparable to the imported bentonite. The Calcium Exchange Capacity (CEC) result for the clay samples fall within the 70 – 150 Meq/100g. This result further suggests that the analyzed clay is of montimorillonite family, with traces of illite which is good for drilling mud production. The obtained results from this study indicates that the filtration loss and plastic viscosity for the analyzed clay samples were generally far from comparing with the imported bentonite, but through beneficiation, they were able to compare with the imported bentonite.

Published in International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 10, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.14
Page(s) 42-49
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Filtration Loss, Bentonite, Local Clay, Rheological Properties, Beneficiation

References
[1] C. W. Davies. “The swelling of bentonite and its control.”Ind Eng. Chem., vol. 19, pp. 1350-1352, 1927.
[2] H. C. Darly& R. G. “George. Composition and properties of drilling and completion fluids.” 5th edn. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, 1988.
[3] R. O. Afolabi., O. D. Orodu., & V. E. Efeovbokhan. “Applied clay science properties and application of Nigerian bentonite clay deposits for drilling mud formulation: recent advances and future prospects.”ApplClay Sci., vol. 143, pp. 39-49, 2017.
[4] B. B. Dewu., S. A. Arabi., M. O. Oladipo., I. I. Funtua., I. A. Moammed-Dabo., & A. M. Muhammad. “Improvement of rheological properties of bentonitic clays using sodium carbonate and a synthetic viscosifier.”Int Arch ApplSci Technology, vol. 2 (2), pp. 43-52, 2011.
[5] O. E. Agwu., A. N. Okon., & O. I. Akpanika. “Activation of local bentonitic clays for use as viscosifiers in water-based drilling fluids.”J. Sci Res Rep, vol. 12 (2), pp. 1-11, 2016.
[6] A. S. Arabi., B. B. M. Dewu., M. O. A. Oladipo., & I. I. Funtua. “Mineralogy and rheology of raw activated turoniantoconiacian clays from Benue trough, northern Nigeria.”Egyptian Journal of. Petroleum, vol. 27 (1), pp. 1-14, 2017.
[7] O. A. Arinkoola., T. O. Salawudeen., K. K. Salam., M. O. Jimoh., G. O. Abidemi., & Z. M. Atitebi. “Optimization of water-based drilling fluid produced using 9 modified Nigerian bentonite and natural biopolymers: reduced experiment and response surface methodology.”Iran J. ChemEng, vol. 16, 39-53, 2019.
[8] O. Omole., S. Malomo., & S. Akande. “The suitability of Nigeria black soil clays as drilling mud clays.”Appl Clay Sci, vol. 4, 357-372, 1989.
[9] O. E. Akhirevbulu., C. V. O. Amadasun., M. I. Ogunbajo., & O. Ujuanbi. “The geology and mineralogy of clay occurrences around kutigi central bida basin, Nigeria.” Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management, vol. 3 (3), pp. 49-56, 2010.
[10] O. A. Falode., O. A. Ehinola., & P. C. Nebeife. “Evaluation of local clay as oil well drilling fluids in Nigeria.”Appl Clay Sci., vol. 39, pp. 19-27, 2007.
[11] T. U. Apugo-Nwosu., I. A. Mohammed-Dabo., A. S. Ahmed., G. Abubakar., A. S. Alkali., & S. I. Ayilara. “Studies on the suitability of ubakalabentonite clay for oil well drilling mud formulation.”Br J ApplSciTechnol, vol. 1 (4), pp. 152-171, 2011.
[12] O. Omole., J. O. Adeleye., O. Falode., S. Malomo., & O. A. Oyedeji. “Investigation into the rheological and filtration properties of drilling mud formulated with clays from Northern Nigeria.” J Petrol Gas Eng., vol. 4 (1), pp. 1-13, 2013.
[13] O. E. Agwu., A. N. Okon., &F. D. Udoh. “A review of Nigerian bentonitic clays as drilling mud.”In: SPE presented at SPE annual technical conference and exhibition, Nigeria, 2015.
[14] B. Velde. “Composition and mineralogy of clay mineral. In: B. Velde., Ed., origin and mineralogy of clays: clays and the environment.” Springer, verlag, pp. 8-29, 1995.
[15] A. B. Oriji., F. S. Lawal& Z. Bala. “Evaluating the efficiency of Nigerian local bentonite as an extender in oil well cementation.”Chem. Process Engrg. Res., vol. 28, pp. 78-88, 2014.
[16] S. A. Arabi., A. A. Ibrahim., M. A. Muhammad., M. Y. Kwaya& S. Mustapha. “Comparative evaluation of rheological properties of standard commercial bentonite and a locally beneficiatedbentonitic clay from a marine deposit in upper Benue basin, Nigeria.”British Journal of Applied Science and Technology, vol. 1 (4), pp. 211-221, 2011.
[17] K. C. Igwilo., N. Uwaezuoke., N. Okoli., F. T. Obasi& E. E. Okoro. “Beneficiation of Nigerian bentonite using local materials.”Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, vol. 10, pp. 3399-3407, 2020.
[18] O. Ogolo., A. Arinkoola., S. Osisanya., F. Egede., & T. J. Chior. “Rheological impact and economic implications of partial to total substitutions of imported bentonite clay for oil and gas drilling operations in Nigeria.” Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, vol. 11, pp. 233-242, 2021.
[19] S. G. Udeagbara., S. O. Ogiriki., F. Afolabi., & E. J. Bodunde. “Evaluation of the effectiveness of local clay from Ebonyi state, Nigeria as a substitute for bentonite in drilling fluids.” International Journal of Petroleum and Gas Engineering Research, vol. 3 (1), pp. 1-10, 2019.
[20] P. A. Okechukwu and C. O. Okogbue. “Characterization of some clays from Nigeria for their use in drilling mud.”AppliedClay Science, vol. 116-117 (11), pp. 158-166, 2015.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Onyejekwe Ifeanyichukwu Michael, Duru Ugochukwu Ilozuruike, Obibuike Ubanozie Julian, Odo Jude Emeka, Nnanna Okoli. (2022). Characterization of Local Clay for Drilling Mud Production. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 10(1), 42-49. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.14

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Onyejekwe Ifeanyichukwu Michael; Duru Ugochukwu Ilozuruike; Obibuike Ubanozie Julian; Odo Jude Emeka; Nnanna Okoli. Characterization of Local Clay for Drilling Mud Production. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2022, 10(1), 42-49. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.14

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Onyejekwe Ifeanyichukwu Michael, Duru Ugochukwu Ilozuruike, Obibuike Ubanozie Julian, Odo Jude Emeka, Nnanna Okoli. Characterization of Local Clay for Drilling Mud Production. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2022;10(1):42-49. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.14

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.14,
      author = {Onyejekwe Ifeanyichukwu Michael and Duru Ugochukwu Ilozuruike and Obibuike Ubanozie Julian and Odo Jude Emeka and Nnanna Okoli},
      title = {Characterization of Local Clay for Drilling Mud Production},
      journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
      volume = {10},
      number = {1},
      pages = {42-49},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20221001.14},
      abstract = {Oil companies’dealing with drilling operations in Nigeria often spends millions of dollars in importation of bentonite for its operations as a result of its importance and high demand. As a result of this, attempt to source for local substitute has been initiated, which if successful would save the nation from this huge capital flight. In this study, a sample of Umuna local clay deposit was evaluated for drilling fluid application. The viscosity and filtration loss was analyzed and it’s far below that of the imported bentonite. The properties of the local clay was improved by addingmaterials such as HV-CMC, Drispac polymer and bentonite extenders to the formulated mud to enhance its viscosity and filtration loss Also the shearing speed was increased, but the used speed is limited to practical shearing speed. Theclay yield and characterization of the beneficiated samples show that the treated local clay is slightly comparable to the imported bentonite. The Calcium Exchange Capacity (CEC) result for the clay samples fall within the 70 – 150 Meq/100g. This result further suggests that the analyzed clay is of montimorillonite family, with traces of illite which is good for drilling mud production. The obtained results from this study indicates that the filtration loss and plastic viscosity for the analyzed clay samples were generally far from comparing with the imported bentonite, but through beneficiation, they were able to compare with the imported bentonite.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Characterization of Local Clay for Drilling Mud Production
    AU  - Onyejekwe Ifeanyichukwu Michael
    AU  - Duru Ugochukwu Ilozuruike
    AU  - Obibuike Ubanozie Julian
    AU  - Odo Jude Emeka
    AU  - Nnanna Okoli
    Y1  - 2022/02/25
    PY  - 2022
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.14
    T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
    JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
    JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
    SP  - 42
    EP  - 49
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2376-7677
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20221001.14
    AB  - Oil companies’dealing with drilling operations in Nigeria often spends millions of dollars in importation of bentonite for its operations as a result of its importance and high demand. As a result of this, attempt to source for local substitute has been initiated, which if successful would save the nation from this huge capital flight. In this study, a sample of Umuna local clay deposit was evaluated for drilling fluid application. The viscosity and filtration loss was analyzed and it’s far below that of the imported bentonite. The properties of the local clay was improved by addingmaterials such as HV-CMC, Drispac polymer and bentonite extenders to the formulated mud to enhance its viscosity and filtration loss Also the shearing speed was increased, but the used speed is limited to practical shearing speed. Theclay yield and characterization of the beneficiated samples show that the treated local clay is slightly comparable to the imported bentonite. The Calcium Exchange Capacity (CEC) result for the clay samples fall within the 70 – 150 Meq/100g. This result further suggests that the analyzed clay is of montimorillonite family, with traces of illite which is good for drilling mud production. The obtained results from this study indicates that the filtration loss and plastic viscosity for the analyzed clay samples were generally far from comparing with the imported bentonite, but through beneficiation, they were able to compare with the imported bentonite.
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Sections