INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE OF LOCAL CLAYS IN DRILLING OPERATIONS
P.N. Onwuachi-Iheagwara
Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering
Delta State University, Abraka, Oleh Campus, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Local clays were treated with chemical additives. Their rheological and thixotropic properties evaluated to determine their suitability for drilling operations. Properties examined included the Swelling Index, Apparent Viscosity, Plastic Viscosity and the Yield point. Result shows that that the Nigerian indigenous clays are suitable. More research is recommended.
Keyword: rheological properties, Nigerian clay, drilling clays