Formulation of drilling fluids using local materials

The study investigates the formulation of drilling fluids using locally sourced materials (clays) in conjunction with bentonite and non-food-based additives to address the challenges posed by the reliance on imported drilling fluid materials. The objectives were to compare the physio-chemical and rheological properties of drilling fluids made from local materials against conventional drilling fluids, develop formulations with various local additives, and enhance the viscosity of local clays to meet industry standards. A comprehensive methodology was employed, utilizing materials such as groundnut shells, eggshells, barite, and bentonite. The experimental design followed a full factorial approach, resulting in the preparation of thirty-two mud samples with varying proportions of the additives. Key properties such as mud density, pH, and viscosity were measured to evaluate the performance of the formulated drilling fluids against API standards. The results indicated that the incorporation of local additives significantly influenced the properties of the drilling mud, with pH values ranging from 8.94 to 11.22, mud density from 9.38 lb/gal to 10.17 lb/gal, and viscosity from 19.32 cP to 58.56 cP. The study highlights the potential of using local materials to enhance the performance of water-based drilling fluids, demonstrating that groundnut shell and eggshell can effectively improve key mud characteristics. The findings suggest that these locally sourced additives not only meet the required standards for drilling operations but also contribute to sustainable practices within the petroleum industry.