Experimental Investigation of the Effects on Rheological and Filtration Properties of Water-Based Drilling Mud of Fly Ash Addition with Different Particle Size and Concentration

Abstract

Performance of the drilling fluid is a great concern in drilling operations. Recently there are many researches available on how to enhance the related properties of the drilling fluids in order to make drilling operations more economical and efficient. Herein this paper effect of the fly ash addition with different particle sizes and concentrations on rheological and filtration properties of drilling muds is studied. For this purpose, fly ash is sieved and 32 µm, 63 µm and 90 µm sub sieve samples are obtained. Each of these predetermined fly ash samples with different particle sizes are mixed with fly ash 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 % w/v. The physical properties of the drilling muds were determined based on API recommended methods including all filtration and rheological properties. It is observed that rheological properties and filtration properties are positively effected by fly ash addition. For rheological properties effect of particle size on related properties are similar while for the filtration properties particle size matters where lost circulation is decreased with smaller particle sizes.

Keywords

• fly ash
• drilling muds
• rheological properties
• filtration properties

Experimental Investigation of the Effects on Rheological and Filtration Properties of Water-Based Drilling Mud of Fly Ash Addition with Different Particle Size and Concentration

Abstract

Performance of the drilling fluid is a great concern in drilling operations. Recently, many studies have been carried out on how to perform drilling operations more economically and effectively. Herein this paper effect of the fly ash addition with different particle sizes and concentrations on rheological and filtration properties of drilling muds is studied. For this purpose, fly ash is sieved and 32 µm, 63 µm and 90 µm sub sieve samples are obtained. Each of these predetermined fly ash samples with different particle sizes are mixed with fly ash 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 % w/v. The physical properties of the drilling muds were determined based on API recommended methods including all filtration and rheological properties. It is observed that rheological properties and filtration properties are positively effected by fly ash addition. For rheological properties effect of particle size on related properties are similar while for the filtration properties particle size matters where lost circulation is decreased with smaller particle sizes.   

Keywords

• filtration properties
• rheological properties,
• fly ash, drilling muds,

References

1. Abdo, J., & Haneef, M. (2012). “Nano-enhanced drilling fluids: pioneering approach to overcome uncompromising drilling problems.” Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 134(1).
2. Ahmaruzzaman, M. (2010). “A review on the utilization of fly ash.” Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 36(3), 327-363.
3. API SPEC 13A, (2010). Specification for Drilling Fluids – Specifications and Testing, 18th ed, Purchasing Guidelines Handbook, American Petroleum Institute (API).
4. ASTM C, (1998). Standard specification for coal fly ash and raw or calcined natural pozzolan for use as a mineral admixture in concrete. 1998 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 4, pp-293.
5. Benchabane, A., & Bekkour, K. (2006). “Effects of anionic additives on the rheological behavior of aqueous calcium montmorillonite suspensions.” Rheologica acta, 45(4), 425-434.
6. Bourgoyne Jr, A. T., Millheim, K. K., Chenevert, M. E., & Young Jr, F. S. (1986). Applied drilling engineering. Volume 2.
7. Caenn, R., Darley, H. C., & Gray, G. R. (2011). “Composition and properties of drilling and completion fluids.” Gulf professional publishing.
8. Chilingarian, G. V., Alp, E., Caenn, R., Al-Salem, M., Uslu, S., Gonzales, S., ... & Yen, T. F. (1986). “Drilling fluid evaluation using yield point-plastic viscosity correlation.” Energy sources, 8(2-3), 233-244.

9. Conner, J. R., & Hoeffner, S. L. (1998). “The history of stabilization/solidification technology.” Critical reviews in environmental science and technology, 28(4), 325-396.
10. Fatih, T., & Umit, A. (2001, October). “Utilization of fly ash in manufacturing of building bricks. In International ash utilization symposium.” Center for applied energy research, University of Kentucky Paper (Vol. 13).
11. Gieré, R., Carleton, L. E., & Lumpkin, G. R. (2003). “Micro-and nanochemistry of fly ash from a coal-fired power plant.” American Mineralogist, 88(11-12), 1853-1865.
12. Mahto, V. (2010). “Development of Optimum Water Based Oil Well Drilling Fluids: A Systematic Approach.” LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
13. Mahto, V., & Jain, R. (2013). “Effect of fly ash on the rheological and filtration properties of water based drilling fluids.” International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology, 2(8), 50-156.
14. Ozkan, A., Turan, S. E., & Kaplan, B. M. (2018). “Investigation of fly ash effect on rheological and filtration properties of drilling muds.” Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 27(12 A), 9189-9194.
15. Pandey, V. C., & Singh, N. (2010). “Impact of fly ash incorporation in soil systems.” Agriculture, ecosystems & environment, 136(1-2), 16-27.
16. Terakulsatit, B. (2015). “Physical and chemical properties of drilling mud by using fly ash as an additive.” Global conference on engineering and applied sciences, Hong Kong.
17. Thompson, L. F. (1994, January). “Drilling fluids waste minimization and stabilization using polymer technology.” In SPE Eastern Regional Meeting. Society of Petroleum Engineers.
18. Totten, P. L., King, B. L., & Griffith, J. E. (1998). U.S. Patent No. 5,716,910. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.