Development of Sustainable Water-Based Drilling Fluids Using Industrial and Agro Waste as Alternative Components

Abstract Drilling fluid selection plays a critical role in achieving efficient and cost-effective drilling operations. This paper explores the use of alternative materials derived from waste products as substitutes for conventional drilling mud components, aiming to create a sustainable and cost-effective fluid with enhanced performance. Two alternatives were investigated: granulated blast furnace slag, industrial waste as a replacement for commercial barite and pomegranate peel powder, and agro waste used as a substitute for commercial polymers. The drilling fluid's key properties including mud density, pH, and rheological and thixotropic characteristics, were assessed. Optimization of the alternative formulations was carried out using two-factorial central composite experimental designs. The effect of Sodium Chloride contamination and pH on the rheological properties of the optimal adopted drilling mud formulations were analyzed and correlated. Predictive models were developed to correlate rheological parameters with mud alkalinity. The results demonstrated that these alternatives hold promise as viable replacements for commercial mud constituents, potentially leading to the development of high-performance, cost-effective drilling muds while promoting environmental sustainability through waste reuse.