Rheological evaluation of local clay samples in central region Ghana for oil well drilling fluid formulation

  • Authors

    • Foster Gomado China University of Petroleum ,East China
    • Forson Kobina China University of Petroleum ,East China
    • Augustus Owusu Boadi China University of Petroleum
    • Yussif Moro Awelisah China University of Petroleum
    2018-01-28
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i1.8658
  • Bentonite, Drilling Mud, Clay, Rheology, Temperature, Viscosity, Yield Point.
  • The superb rheological features of bentonites makes them an excellent candidate in drilling operations. Its capacity of bentonite to swell and extend to a few times its unique volume gives it the gelling and viscosity controlling quality. The execution of clay or specifical bentonite as a great consistency controlling operator in drilling fluids largely depends on the great extent of its rheological conduct. Ghana as of late found oil and it has tossed a test to research to explore the utilization of local materials in the oil and gas operations. A rheological study was conducted on local clay samples from Ajumako, Saltpond and Winneba in the Central district of Ghana as a viscosifier in drilling muds. This will help to improve the local content of Ghana's oil and gas industry. Drilling muds were prepared from the samples in addition to a control mud using imported non-treated bentonite. The local clay samples were subjected rheological test where the flow behavior of the muds was determined by measuring the gel strength, plastic viscosity, and the yield point. The experimental values were compared to the API standards. It was revealed that the local clay had some potential features of bentonite and could be utilized as controlling operators in drilling fluids provided the clays are beneficiated to enhance their rheological properties. This novel tend to improve the local content in oil and gas industry in Ghana through the deployment of the local materials in oil and gas operations in the nation.

  • References

    1. [1] Pal Skalle. (2011). Drilling Fluid Engineering.

      [2] Nestle, A. C. (1944). Mud Engineering, Engineering and Science Monthly, August- September edition, pp. 13-16.

      [3] Bendou, S., & Amrani, M. (2014). Effect of hydrochloric acid on the structural of sodic-bentonite clay. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, 2014. https://doi.org/10.4236/jmmce.2014.25045.

      [4] Abdullahi, A. S., Ibrahim, A. A., Muhammad, M. A., Kwaya, M. Y., & Mustapha, S. (2011). Comparative evaluation of rheological properties of standard commercial bentonite and a locally beneficiated bentonitic clay from a marine deposit in upper Benue basin, Nigeria. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 1(4), 211. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJAST/2011/445.

      [5] Joel, O.F and Nwokoye, C.U. (2010) “Performance Evaluation of Local Bentonite with Imported Grade for Utilization in Oil Field Operations in Nigeria†SPE Journal, SPE 136957, pp. 2 – 5. https://doi.org/10.2118/136957-MS.

      [6] Apugo-Nwosu, T. U., Mohammed-Dabo, I. A., Ahmed, A. S., Abubakar, G., Alkali, A. S., & Ayilara, S. I. (2011). Studies on the suitability of ubakala bentonitic clay for oil well drilling mud formulation. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 1(4), 152. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJAST/2011/407.

      [7] Al-Ani, T., & Sarapää, O. (2008). Clay and clay mineralogy. Physical-chemical Properties and Industrial Uses.

      [8] Eman, A.E. (2013) “Clays as Catalysts in Petroleum Refining Industry†ARPN Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 3, No. 4, 2013, pp. 356-371.

      [9] Omole, O., Adeleye, O. J., Falode, O., Malomo, S. and Oyedeji O. A. (2013) “Investigation into the rheological and filtration properties of drilling mud formulated with clays from Northern Nigeria†Journal of Petroleum and Gas Engineering Vol. 4(1), pp. 1 - 13.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Gomado, F., Kobina, F., Owusu Boadi, A., & Awelisah, Y. M. (2018). Rheological evaluation of local clay samples in central region Ghana for oil well drilling fluid formulation. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(1), 100-105. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i1.8658