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ABSTRACT
Production of hydrocarbons from oil and gas reservoirs is largely dependent on the selection of drilling fluids. It serves several essential functions during drilling, including cooling, lubricating the bit, carrying cuttings to the surface, amongst others. It typically contains components such as; base fluid, weighting agents, viscosifiers, pH control agents, rheology modifiers, surfactants, emulsifiers, etc. These components help the drilling mud achieve its functions. Innovative approaches are needed for oil and gas resource exploration and exploitation in order to reduce negative environmental effects and guarantee operational effectiveness. The study aims to test rheological properties of some natural polymers. To note their effectiveness in non-damaging drilling fluids. In order to better understand how some natural polymers' viscosifying qualities affect the plastic viscosities, gel strength and yield points of drilling fluid compositions. The study looks specifically at these effects. Corn starch and rice starch were the natural polymers used in this experimental research. Individual and combined concentrations of 5g, 10g and 15g of the bio-additives were added to a base fluid of fixed volume of 350ml of water and fixed concentration of 22.5g of Bentonite Unlike the gel strengths and yield points that fell within the American petroleum institute‘s (API) requirements, this research showed that with the concentrations used, although there was an increment potential in plastic viscosity, higher concentrations would be needed in order to achieve plastic viscosities within API specified range. In conclusion, this study has revealed some latent facts about the usefulness and effectiveness of these natural polymers in drilling fluids.
