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.   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.