Formulation of Oil-Based Drilling Fluids (Muds) From Plant Seed Oil (GmelinaArborea Seed Oil)

Abstract

Due to increase in environmental issues, there is need for drilling companies to come up with a safer, environmental friendly oil-based drilling fluid. For this study, oil extracted from non-food plant seed (Gmelina) was used as the base fluid for drilling mud samples in laboratory. The oil extracted was tested and compared with the standard requirements for oil needed for oil based drilling fluid. Results showed that the oil met the requirements and can be used in formulation of oil based muds. Oil in water emulsion was made using oil/water ratio of 60 to 40. 200ml of oil and 350 ml of water. 50g of bentonite and barite were finally added to build up the density to 10ppg. The mud sample was formulated with Gmelina seed oil as the base fluid and compared to a diesel based mud sample of same quantity. Different mud tests such as toxicity, filtration, pH, viscosity and density were carried out on the samples to ascertain the suitability of their properties for drilling operation and their degree of safety to the environment. The results obtained showed that Gmelina seed oil-based mud has the lowest viscosity which implies less resistance to flow and lower pressure losses. The outcome of the toxicity test confirmed Gmelina to be safer and less harmful while diesel is highly toxic as expected. The overall result obtained from the test indicates that Gmelina seed oil based muds stands a chance of being among the technically and environmentally viable replacement for the conventional diesel oil-based muds. The study serves as one of the solutions to the environmental problem associated with oil-based drilling operations.

Keywords: Formulation, Oil-Based Drilling Mud, Plant Seed Oil, Gmelina Arborea, Diesel Oil.