Development and Comparative Evaluation of Water-Based Drilling Fluid Performance Using Rice Husk and Groundnut Husk to Enhance the Fluid Loss Control and Rheological Properties

Abstract

Numerous research studies have been carried out for development of water-based drilling fluid using rice husk, xanthan gum, bentonite clay, and other additives but the fluid loss analysis and groundnut husk as an additive has not been carried out. This research developed and characterized a water-based drilling fluid using bentonite clay, rice husk, groundnut husk, xanthan gum, and barite. Raw groundnut and rice husk were ground to 120 microns, forming 33 drilling fluid samples and 12 blend samples for FTIR analysis. Rheological properties were evaluated using a Model 35A viscometer at various speeds. Mud densities and filtration properties were measured. The Herschel-Bulkley and Casson models were employed to validate the experimental data. Optimal FTIR blending interaction/formation was observed for groundnut husk with xanthan gum in a 2:1 ratio, rice husk in a 1:1 ratio with groundnut husk, and bentonite with groundnut husk in a 1:1 and 2:1 ratio. RH improves the viscosity at 600 rpm, PV, and AV than GH whereas the groundnut husk improves the gel strength better, the addition of 5g barite to samples 18 and 21 increased viscosity slightly from 33.7566 cP & 29.5058 cP to 34.0121 cP & 30.0026 cP respectively. More viscosity improvements were noted when rice husk was added to samples 2 & 3, compared to groundnut husk whereas groundnut husk showed better performance when improving the viscosity of sample 4. Both rheological models showed reduced accuracy for samples with lower shear stresses @600rpm, with the Casson model performing better while for samples with higher shear stresses @600rpm and for the optimum samples, the Herschel-Bulkley model showed superior accuracy. All blends exhibited shear thinning behavior.