Investigating Alternatives To Diesel In Oil Based Drilling Mud Formulations Used in the Oil Industry

Abstract

The investigation of jatropha and groundnut oils as alternatives to diesel in oil based mud (OBM) formulations reveal comparable performance characteristics to that of diesel. The viscosity values of the mud samples from the three oils varied considerably. At the same viscometer dial speed of 600 RPM and temperature of 60^oC, the viscosities were 155, 135 and 50 centi poises (cP) for jatropha, groundnut and diesel oils based mud samples respectively. The jatropha and groundnut oil based mud samples were respectively 3 and 2.7 times more viscous than diesel oil based mud. The increasing order of mud densities was 7.5 ppg, 7.9 ppg and 8.5 ppg for diesel, groundnut and jatropha oils based mud samples respectively. Gel strength values at 10 secs and 10 mins were highest for diesel based mud than for jatropha and groundnut oil based muds while the True and Bingham yield points expectedly decreased as the mud temperature was increased.

Keywords: Drilling mud, Alternatives, Oil based formulations