Laboratory Study of a Tapioca Flour as Viscofier and Coffee Powder as Weighting Agent to Replace Bentonite and Calcium Carbonate in Water Based Mud

Abstract Drilling mud serves various functions in the drilling process. One of its functions is to minimize friction between the drill string and the wellbore wall. Additionally, drilling mud also serves to coat the wellbore wall, lift cuttings from beneath the bit, and cool the bit during the drilling process (Al-Hameedi et al., 2019). Before drilling activities commence, attention to detail is crucial during both the planning stage and the drilling process to achieve target, safe, and economical drilling results. Traditionally, the production of drilling mud involves the mixing of hazardous chemical compounds, which can potentially contaminate the surrounding environment (Taleb Al-Hameedi et al., 2019). This laboratory study was conducted to assess the performance of environmentally friendly alternatives (coffee powder and tapioca flour) and explore the feasibility of using these additives in the drilling process. Commonly used chemical substances prioritize performance and economic value but often neglect environmental considerations.