Preliminary Investigation of African Oil Bean Husk as a Feasible Fluid-Loss Control Agent in Drilling Muds

Abstract

This paper presents a preliminary study on the suitability of African oil bean husk (AOBH), as a fluid loss control additive for water-based drilling mud (WBM) and oil-based drilling mud (OBM). AOBH was dried, ground and sieved into particle sizes of 63µm, 125µm and 250µm. The chemical properties and morphology of AOBH was studied using Scanning Electron Microscope energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR). Six samples of WBM and OBM containing the various sizes of AOBH as flood-loss control additives were prepared. Also, mud without additives as well as mud containing industrial grade additive materials (Grel Alphatex and Soltex) were prepared. Filtration properties and some other properties (mud density, pH, etc.) of the prepared drilling muds were assessed.  Results acquired from FTIR and SEM-EDS showed that carbon is the major element present in AOBH. AOBH contains asphaltic compounds (Alkane and Benzene ring). Filter cake thickness formed using AOBH additives was between 2.1mm - 2.28mm for WBM and between 2.3mm - 2.9mm for OBM, while filter cake thickness formed containing contemporary industrial additives was 2.0 mm for WBM and 2.3mm for OBM. Filtrate-loss from mud using AOBH additives was 2.0ml – 3.4ml for WBM and 2.3ml – 3.3ml for OBM, while filtrate loss from mud containing contemporary industrial additives was 2.1ml for WBM and 2.3ml for OBM. Results for pH showed 8.31 for mud containing Grel Alphatex additives and 8.50 - 8.69 for mud containing AOBH additives. Results for Marsh Funnel Test showed 47.21 secs for mud using Grel Alphatex additives and 44.36secs – 45. 57secs for mud using AOBH additives. Also, the chemical composition of AOBH indicates that it is biodegradable and eco-friendly. Therefore, AOBH is a prospective material that can be used as fluid-loss control additives in both WBM and OBM.