Abstract
THE EFFECT OF PARTICLE SIZE ON MODIFIED LOCAL STARCHES AS FLUID LOSS CONTROL ADDITIVES IN A WATER-BASED DRILLING MUD
Sarah A. Akintola, Oritogun I. Keziah and Julius U. Akpabio*
ABSTRACT
There are lots of researches on the use of local materials as substitutes for imported drilling fluid additives. This study is aimed at determining how effective modified micronized local starches (Rice, Yam, and Corn) can be used to reduce the filtration properties of a water-based mud. Starch extracted from these starchy foods using the wet millingmethod were chemically modified and an analytical sieve was used to obtain two different particle sizes (63 micro-meter and 75 micro-meter) for each of the starch samples. The 63 micro-meter and 75 micro-meter size modified rice, yam and corn starches were labelled A, C and E, and B, D and F, respectively. The concentrations of the modified starches were varied by 0.5g (0.5g, 1.0g and 1.5g) in the treatment of a water-based mud. Same concentration of low viscous Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) (sample G) and extra high viscous CMC (sample H) served as control. The effects of particle size and varying temperatures (30oC, 50oC, and 70oC) on the filtration properties of a water based drilling mud treated with the various modified micronized starches with a Low-temperature/low-pressure American Petroleum Institute (API) Filter Press were investigated using the API Recommended Practice 13B-1 procedure. From the result, it was observed that there was no significant difference in temperature of fluid, particle size, and the type of additive used. Also, it was observed that the addition of the modified starch to the water-based mud caused a reduction in the fluid loss and a thin filter cake was formed. These starches were found suitable for use as drilling fluid additives.
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