Fluid Loss Control Materials From Hevea Brasiliensis and Egg Husks: A Comparative Study With MICA in Water-Based Mud
Keywords:
fluid loss, husk materials, Hevea brasiliensis seed, water-based mud, cuttings removal, downhole lossesAbstract
The increasing demand for oil and gas has led exploration companies to adopt extensive drilling practices across diverse geological formations to access target reservoirs. These formations frequently pose challenges because they readily allow drilling mud infiltration, leading to substantial fluid losses during circulation. To address this challenge, the present study developed specialized fluid loss control materials derived from processed Hevea brasiliensis (rubber seed shell) and egg husks according to the API procedure. These materials were subjected to drying, grinding, and sieving to obtain two particle sizes (150 microns and 250 microns), which were then blended in equal proportions as alternatives to Mica, a conventional fluid-loss additive. Water-based mud samples incorporating these locally sourced additives were prepared at various concentrations and evaluated against Mica for performance. The results demonstrated that mixtures containing 3 wt.% (10.50 g) of 150 µm and 4 wt.% (14.00 g) of 250 µm particles exhibited fluid loss characteristics comparable to those of 2 wt.% Mica. Analysis of rubber seed shell revealed a complex mixture of organic compounds, with calcium identified as a major element in both materials. The local additives also enhanced the yield point and reduced gel values, thereby promoting more efficient cutting removal and improved penetration rates. Additionally, muds formulated with local additives exhibited increased pH, attributed to their high calcium content. These findings highlight the potential of locally sourced husk materials as effective fluid loss additives for drilling in loss-prone formations, providing a viable approach to mitigate downhole losses.
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