Usage of Olivine as Additive Material in Water-Based Drilling Muds

Abstract

Drilling is one of the most common methods for the production of fossil fuels or geothermal energy. The success of drilling operations depends on various parameters. One of these parameters is drilling mud. Drilling mud ensures direct connection between formation and surface. Therefore, drilling mud is the main factor which should be controlled in drilling. Various additive materials are used to control the flow features of mud. Bentonite or other materials (i.e. Carboxy Methly Cellulose, Polyanionic Cellulose, Xhantan Gum) are used for higher viscosity and filtration. Barite and calcium carbonate are used to ensure hydrostatic pressure to bottom hole. And chrome free lignosulfonate is used to decrease viscosity. According to the flow features of the mud and formation type, it is decided which material is to be used. The present study investigated the usability of the olivine, which is one of the silica minerals, as a weighting material. Spud type muds, prepared according to the American Petroleum Institute (API) spec 13A and containing olivine in different amounts, were prepared. Then rheological and filtration analysis of the muds were completed according to the API RP-13B-1 standard. According to the results, mud weight (MW) reached 8.90ppg, apparent viscosity (AV) 34cP, plastic viscosity (PV) 17cP, yield point (YP) 36lb/ 100 ft(2), 10 sec. gel strength 14lb/ 100 ft(2), 10 min. gel strength 17lb/ 100 ft(2), and filtration 14mL. The results showed that the olivine can might be used as a weighting additive material in drilling mud.