THE USE OF COCONUT FIBRE AS STANDARD pH

ENHANCER FOR DRILLING MUD FORMULATION

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF STUDY

1.0 Introduction
A drilling fluid, or mud is any fluid that is used in a drilling operation in which that fluid is
circulated or pumped from the surface, down the drill string, through the bit, and back to the
surface via the annulus.(Growcock et al., 2005).The successful and cost of a drilling process is
known to depend extensively on the asset of the drilling fluid used (Gray et al., 1980). Drilling
mud circulates in a loop, from the platform, where it is forced down into the formation by
entering the drill string, and pushed up to the surface again via the drill bit. The fluid
characteristics such as density and temperature are variables that need to be regularly monitored
for perfect drilling conditions of the well (Issham et al. 1985). They provide primary well control
of subsurface pressures by a combination of density and any additional pressure acting on the
fluid column (annular or surface imposed). They are most often circulated down the drill string,
out the bit and back up the annulus to the surface so that drill cuttings are removed from the
wellbore. Drilling fluids have a number of alternative names, acronyms and slang terms used
within the industry. The most widely used name is “mud” or “drilling mud” and both these terms
will be used interchangeably throughout this chapter. Other drilling fluid names and acronyms
are: water-based mud (WBM), oil-based mud (OBM), synthetic-based mud (SBM), non-aqueous
fluid (NAF), invert emulsion fluid (IEF), high performance water-based mud (HPWBM), drill-in
fluid (DIF) and reservoir drilling fluid (RDF). Similar to drilling fluids are so-called completion
fluids that are used to finish the well after drilling is completed. The fluids used during
completions are often referred to as work over and completion (WOC) fluids, clear brines and/or
packer fluids. Drilling fluid is a major factor in the success of the drilling program and deserves
careful study.
 Figure 1.0: Drilling fluids stored in the mud tank under agitation.

The performance of the drilling fluid is critical to everyone involved with the operation and to all
aspects of the drilling operation. The drilling fluid is the primary means to keep the well from
blowing out and it is responsible for keeping the hole in good condition such that drilling
operations can continue to the desired depth. Drilling and completion fluids are one of the most
important parts of the well construction process and ultimately the performance of the fluid will
determine the success or failure of the operation. The responsibility of the proper selection and
application of fluid is held jointly between the fluids supplier, the drilling contractor and the
operator.

The research work focused on the use of Nigeria local materials in enhancing the drilling mud
pH, its performance and contribution as drilling fluid properties and ensuring quality in hole
making. Drilling fluid pH measurements and pH adjustments are fundamental to drilling fluid
control because clay interactions, solubility of additives, and contaminant removal are all pH-
dependent.
PH is a value representing the hydrogen ion concentration in liquid and it is used to indicate
acidity or alkalinity of drilling mud. The pH is presented in a numerical value (0 – 14), which
means an inverse measurement of hydrogen concentration in the fluid.
The pH formula is listed below;

pH = - log 10 [H]

Where: H is the hydrogen ion concentration in mol.

According to the pH formula, the more hydrogen atoms present, the more acidity of substance is
but the pH value decreases. Generally speaking, a pH of 7 means neutral. Fluids with a pH above
7 are considered as being alkaline. On the other hand, the fluids with pH below 7 are defined as
being acidic.
In the drilling mud, there are three main chemical components involved in Alkalinity of drilling
fluid, which are bicarbonate ions (HCO3--), hydroxyl ions (OH --), and carbonate ions (CO3-2).
The Alkalinity means ions that will reduce the acidity.
In order to get accurate measurements for the pH, using a pH meter instead of using a pH a paper
is recommended because it will give more accurate pH figures. Additionally, pH meters must be
calibrated frequently.
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ENHANCER FOR DRILLING MUD FORMULATION

THE USE OF COCONUT FIBRE AS STANDARD pH ENHANCER FOR DRILLING MUD

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