Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud

Nnaemeka Uwaezuoke; Ugochukwu Duru; Ezeanyika Emeka Emmanuel; Opara Chimaram Confidence

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11

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Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud

Nnaemeka Uwaezuoke^*, Ugochukwu Duru, Ezeanyika Emeka Emmanuel, Opara Chimaram Confidence

Published in International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 12, Issue 1)

Received: 27 September 2023 Accepted: 31 October 2023 Published: 8 January 2024

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Abstract

This project aims to analyse how local lost circulation material affects drilling fluid rheology and fluid loss in water-based muds. Local lost circulation material used in carrying out these experiments is kaolin clay. Five mud samples were formulated, the first mud which was the base mud had no LCM, 10g of kaolin clay was added to the second sample, 20g of kaolin clay was added to the third mud, while 30g and 40g of kaolin was added to the fourth and fifth sample respectively, results showed that increase in particle size and concentration of LCMs increased the plastic viscosity, apparent viscosity, yield point as well as gel strength, also the ability of the LCM to seal off fractures in time and reduce fluid loss was affected by particle size of the LCM. This research showed that kaolin clay had a good effect on rheological properties of the mud and had adequate mud cake thickness and is suitable to be used as LCM.

Published in	International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 12, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11
Page(s)	1-9
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Lost Circulation, Water-Based Mud, Kaolin Clay, Particle Size, Plastic Viscosity, Yield Point, Gel Strength, Fluid Loss, Rheological Property

References

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[3]	Molenaar, R. J., Shadravan, A., Heemskerk, C. J., & Bachmann, R. T. (2017). Lost Circulation Management: A Comprehensive Approach. Society of Petroleum Engineers.
[4]	Liu, W., Li, Q., Wang, J., & Li, S. (2020). Experimental Investigation of Lost Circulation Control of Gelled Oil-in-Water Emulsion. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 83, 103498.
[5]	Al-Farraj, A., Rasheed, A., Al-Amry, M., & Mahmoud, M. (2021). Lost Circulation Challenges in the Oil Field, Saudi Arabia: Case Study. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 204, 109343.
[6]	Vasudevan, V., Sander, R., & Zhang, X. (2019). A Coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis Approach to Simulate Lost Circulation in Drilling Operations. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 63, 47-62.
[7]	Tang, X., Chen, Z., He, X., Wang, L., & Wang, X. (2020). Experimental and Numerical Investigation on Wellbore Stability Considering Lost Circulation in Shale Formation. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 77, 103393.
[8]	Cheng, Q., Zheng, Y., Zhang, X., Li, Y., Cai, G., & Bai, W. (2018). Drilling Fluid Loss in Fractured and Vuggy Reservoirs: An Experimental Study. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 166, 63-71.
[9]	Alam, M. M., Al-Muntasheri, G. A., & Al-Yami, A. S. (2020). Improving Drilling Performance and Reservoir Productivity Through Appropriate Application of Lost Circulation Materials. Journal of Petrol Science and Engineering, 194, 107459.
[10]	Gamage, R. P. K., Rezamand, K., & Pournik, M. (2020). Application of an Empirical Model for Predicting Drilling Fluid Loss and Formation Damage. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 84, 103492.
[11]	Qiu, X., Li, L., Bai, C., & Wang, J. (2021). Lost Circulation Control Technology in Inclined Coalbed Methane Well Drilling: A Laboratory Study. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 94, 103677.
[12]	Cao, H., Yu, M., Chen, Q., & Chen, X. (2019). Investigation of Lost Circulation Mechanism and Its Influence on Formation Damage. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 68, 102964.
[13]	Zhang, J., Li, Z., Zhu, Z., Sun, Q., Zhang, L., & Zheng, Q. (2020). Optimization of Drilling Fluid Formulations for Lost Circulation Control in Ultra Deepwater Drilling. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 84, 103386.
[14]	Watson, A. T. and Brittingham, J. W. (2013). Field Application of a New Lost Circulation Material Demonstrates Improved Wellbore Strengthening and Sealing Capabilities. SPE International Symposium on Formation Damage Control. doi: 10.2118/165128-MS.
[15]	Santarelli, F. J., Hill, A. D., and Skauge, A. (2020). Wellbore Strengthening Solutions: A Comprehensive Review. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/201904-PA.
[16]	Spears, D. R. and Teufel, L. W. (1994). Lost Circulation Control and Increased Drilling Efficiency with Gelled Oil-Based Drilling Fluids. SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. doi: 10.2118/28591-MS.
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APA Style

Uwaezuoke, N., Duru, U., Emmanuel, E. E., Confidence, O. C. (2024). Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 12(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11

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ACS Style

Uwaezuoke, N.; Duru, U.; Emmanuel, E. E.; Confidence, O. C. Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2024, 12(1), 1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11

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AMA Style

Uwaezuoke N, Duru U, Emmanuel EE, Confidence OC. Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2024;12(1):1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11,
  author = {Nnaemeka Uwaezuoke and Ugochukwu Duru and Ezeanyika Emeka Emmanuel and Opara Chimaram Confidence},
  title = {Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud},
  journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
  volume = {12},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-9},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20241201.11},
  abstract = {This project aims to analyse how local lost circulation material affects drilling fluid rheology and fluid loss in water-based muds. Local lost circulation material used in carrying out these experiments is kaolin clay. Five mud samples were formulated, the first mud which was the base mud had no LCM, 10g of kaolin clay was added to the second sample, 20g of kaolin clay was added to the third mud, while 30g and 40g of kaolin was added to the fourth and fifth sample respectively, results showed that increase in particle size and concentration of LCMs increased the plastic viscosity, apparent viscosity, yield point as well as gel strength, also the ability of the LCM to seal off fractures in time and reduce fluid loss was affected by particle size of the LCM. This research showed that kaolin clay had a good effect on rheological properties of the mud and had adequate mud cake thickness and is suitable to be used as LCM.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud
AU  - Nnaemeka Uwaezuoke
AU  - Ugochukwu Duru
AU  - Ezeanyika Emeka Emmanuel
AU  - Opara Chimaram Confidence
Y1  - 2024/01/08
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11
T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
SP  - 1
EP  - 9
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7677
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11
AB  - This project aims to analyse how local lost circulation material affects drilling fluid rheology and fluid loss in water-based muds. Local lost circulation material used in carrying out these experiments is kaolin clay. Five mud samples were formulated, the first mud which was the base mud had no LCM, 10g of kaolin clay was added to the second sample, 20g of kaolin clay was added to the third mud, while 30g and 40g of kaolin was added to the fourth and fifth sample respectively, results showed that increase in particle size and concentration of LCMs increased the plastic viscosity, apparent viscosity, yield point as well as gel strength, also the ability of the LCM to seal off fractures in time and reduce fluid loss was affected by particle size of the LCM. This research showed that kaolin clay had a good effect on rheological properties of the mud and had adequate mud cake thickness and is suitable to be used as LCM.

VL  - 12
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Nnaemeka Uwaezuoke

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

Contact Email
Ugochukwu Duru

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

Contact Email
Ezeanyika Emeka Emmanuel

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

Contact Email
Opara Chimaram Confidence

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

Contact Email

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Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Uwaezuoke, N., Duru, U., Emmanuel, E. E., Confidence, O. C. (2024). Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 12(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11

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ACS Style

Uwaezuoke, N.; Duru, U.; Emmanuel, E. E.; Confidence, O. C. Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2024, 12(1), 1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Uwaezuoke N, Duru U, Emmanuel EE, Confidence OC. Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2024;12(1):1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11,
  author = {Nnaemeka Uwaezuoke and Ugochukwu Duru and Ezeanyika Emeka Emmanuel and Opara Chimaram Confidence},
  title = {Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud},
  journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
  volume = {12},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-9},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20241201.11},
  abstract = {This project aims to analyse how local lost circulation material affects drilling fluid rheology and fluid loss in water-based muds. Local lost circulation material used in carrying out these experiments is kaolin clay. Five mud samples were formulated, the first mud which was the base mud had no LCM, 10g of kaolin clay was added to the second sample, 20g of kaolin clay was added to the third mud, while 30g and 40g of kaolin was added to the fourth and fifth sample respectively, results showed that increase in particle size and concentration of LCMs increased the plastic viscosity, apparent viscosity, yield point as well as gel strength, also the ability of the LCM to seal off fractures in time and reduce fluid loss was affected by particle size of the LCM. This research showed that kaolin clay had a good effect on rheological properties of the mud and had adequate mud cake thickness and is suitable to be used as LCM.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of Kaolin Clay as a Lost Circulation Material in Water Based Mud
AU  - Nnaemeka Uwaezuoke
AU  - Ugochukwu Duru
AU  - Ezeanyika Emeka Emmanuel
AU  - Opara Chimaram Confidence
Y1  - 2024/01/08
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11
T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
SP  - 1
EP  - 9
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7677
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20241201.11
AB  - This project aims to analyse how local lost circulation material affects drilling fluid rheology and fluid loss in water-based muds. Local lost circulation material used in carrying out these experiments is kaolin clay. Five mud samples were formulated, the first mud which was the base mud had no LCM, 10g of kaolin clay was added to the second sample, 20g of kaolin clay was added to the third mud, while 30g and 40g of kaolin was added to the fourth and fifth sample respectively, results showed that increase in particle size and concentration of LCMs increased the plastic viscosity, apparent viscosity, yield point as well as gel strength, also the ability of the LCM to seal off fractures in time and reduce fluid loss was affected by particle size of the LCM. This research showed that kaolin clay had a good effect on rheological properties of the mud and had adequate mud cake thickness and is suitable to be used as LCM.

VL  - 12
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download