The Comparison of Different Types of Chemicals as Fluid Loss Control Additives in Synthetic Base Mud

In drilling fluids, there are a few components that need to be taken care of in order to produce desired drilling fluids. One of the main components in the drilling fluids is fluid loss control additives. This additives help in reducing and controlling fluid loss from the drilling fluids. It can be severe if the fluid loss is not being controlled. There are many types of chemicals that can be used in order to help in fluid loss control. In this project, four (4) fluid loss additives that will be tested are gilsonite, sodium asphalt sulfonate, sulphonated asphalt and organophilic lignite. All of these chemicals have different ability in order to control fluid loss. Some of them also have different ability and usage in drilling fluids. For instance, sodium asphalt sulfonate can be used as shale control inhibitor in the drilling fluids system. Above-mentioned chemicals are widely used and known. Most of them are compatible with the synthetic base muds system. Therefore, in this project, all of the chemicals will be tested in synthetic base mud system. Since all of the chemicals have different ability, therefore the mud properties will be specified and tested as follows condition: 10 lb/gal mud weight, 75:25 oil water ratio and 25% Wt CaCl2. In order to make the data more relevant, there will be two conditions whereas the chemicals will be tested which is in contaminated muds and also in non-contaminated muds. Contaminated muds means that the muds will be added with some solids and cuttings and the non-contaminated muds are fresh muds which it will not be added with solids. All of the conditions also will be tested using three different types of base oil which are SARALINE 185V, SARAPAR 147 and ESCAID 110. This is to ensure the data is valid and the comparison can be done. At the end of the experiment, gilsonite tend to be the most efficient fluid loss reducer agent based on the initial condition of the test. The SARALINE 185V base oil also gives the best result while compared to SARAPAR 147 and ESCAID 110 as base oil in this test.