Search Results (38)

This study explores the reuse of Ornamental Stone Waste (OSW) in water-based drilling fluids, investigating its potential as a substitute for bentonite. To enhance stability and rheology, OSW particles were functionalized with terephthalic acid (TPA) and combined with xanthan gum (XG). Characterization confirmed successful surface modification, with increased stability at a basic pH. However, rheological analysis showed that the physical mixing of OSW-TPA with XG resulted in low viscosity and poor yield stress, indicating weak interactions. All formulations exhibited shear-thinning behavior. Future work will focus on promoting chemical interactions to form nanocomposite structures and improve fluid performance. Full article

Some additives currently used to enhance drilling mud’s rheological qualities have a substantial economic impact on society. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) are currently imported. Food crops have influences on food security; hence, this research explored the potential of utilizing cow bone powder (CBP), a bio-waste product and a renewable resource, as an environmentally friendly fluid-loss additive for drilling applications, in comparison with CaCO₃. Both samples (CBP and CaCO₃) were evaluated to determine the most efficient powder sizes (coarse, medium, and fine powder), concentrations (5–15 g), and aging conditions (before or after aging) that would offer improved rheological and fluid-loss control. The results obtained showed that CBP had a significant impact on mud rheology when compared to CaCO₃. Decreasing the particle size (coarse to fine particles) and increasing the concentration from 5 to 15 g positively impacted mud rheology. Among all the conditions analyzed, fine-particle CBP with a 15 g concentration produced the best characteristics, including in the apparent viscosity (37 cP), plastic viscosity (29 cP), and yield point (25.5 lb/100 ft²), and a gel strength of 16 lb/100 ft² (10 s) and 28 lb/100 ft² (10 min). The filtration control ability of CaCO₃ was observed to be better than that of the coarse and medium CBP particle sizes; however, fine-particle-size CBP demonstrated a 6.1% and 34.6% fluid-loss reduction at 10 g and 15 g concentrations when compared to respective amounts of CaCO₃. The thermal behavior of the Mud Samples demonstrated that it positively impacted rheology before aging. In contrast, after aging, it exhibited a negative effect where samples grew more viscous and exceeded the API standard range for mud properties. Therefore, CBP’s excellent rheological and fluid-loss control ability makes it a potential, sustainable, and economically viable alternative to conventional materials. This superior performance enhances the thinning properties of drilling muds in stationary and circulating conditions. Full article

The microscale solid and pore structures of waste is crucial for the bio-hydro-mechanical behaviors of landfilled municipal solid waste (MSW). The quantitative analysis of the structural characteristics of MSW is still limited. In this study, borehole MSW samples at different depths (i.e., 0 m, 2.5 m, 5 m, 7.5 m, 10 m, and 12.5 m) were drilled from a landfill. The waste composition and basic physical properties of these samples were tested in laboratory. Solid and pore structural characteristics were studied through computed tomography (CT) analysis. The results indicate that the ratio of cellulose content to lignin content (i.e., C/L) decreased from 0.85 to 0.47 with increasing depth. For solid particles, two-dimensional (2D) particles constituted the greatest fraction (60.22~72.16%), which showed a decrease with increasing depth. The deeper sample tended to have more fine particles. For pores, the void ratio decreased from 1.68 to 1.10 with increasing depth, with more small pore channels. Meanwhile, the average pore diameter coefficient (λ) decreased from 0.209 to 0.190, the pore angle (θ_e) decreased from 29.6° to 17.8°, the tortuosity (τ) increased from 1.129 to 1.184, and the connectivity (c_e) decreased from 12.0 to 4.1. These quantitative findings can further the understanding of fluid flow behaviors in landfilled waste. Full article

The growing demand for rare earth elements (REEs) in high-tech and green energy sectors has prompted renewed exploration of unconventional sources. Drill cuttings, which are commonly discarded during subsurface drilling, are increasingly recognized as a potentially valuable, underutilized secondary REE reservoir. This review adopts a mineral-first lens to assess REE occurrence, extractability, and recovery strategies from drill cuttings across various lithologies. Emphasis is placed on how REEs associate with specific mineral host phases ranging from ion-adsorbed clays and organically bound forms to structurally integrated phosphates, each dictating distinct leaching pathways. The impact of drilling fluids on REE surface chemistry and mineral integrity is critically examined, alongside an evaluation of analytical and extraction methods tailored to different host phases. A scenario-based qualitative techno-economic assessment and a novel decision-tree framework are introduced to align mineralogy with optimal recovery strategies. Limitations in prior studies, particularly in characterization workflows and mineralogical misalignment in leaching protocols, are highlighted. This review redefines drill cuttings from industrial waste to a strategic resource, advocating for mineralogically guided extraction approaches to enhance sustainability in the critical mineral supply chain. Full article

This study investigates the potential of Spirulina biomass as a lubricating additive for drilling fluid formulations. In this work, this waste protein is evaluated as a lubricant alternative that may decrease the coefficient of friction while improving the rheological profiles and/or reducing fluid loss via permeation in drilling fluids. A processed and dried Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) biomass is incorporated into drilling fluid formulations and compared to standard lubricant additives for the drilling fluid properties of lubricity, rheology, and fluid loss. Rheological characterization includes the determination of yield stress, gel strength, and viscosity measurements. The major findings of this study include a friction value reduction of up to 30% and a fluid loss reduction of up to 51% by using 3 vol.% Spirulina. Parameters were fit to two rheological models (Bingham plastic and Herschel–Bulkley). After experimentation and analyzing the data gathered, it was determined that Spirulina and the Spirulina–Coastalube mixture in drilling fluids are good potential candidates as more environmentally benign and cost-effective alternative technologies for drilling fluids for decreasing the coefficient of friction, which results in increasing the lubrication performance of the drilling fluids. Full article

Drilling fluids are vital in oil and gas well operations, ensuring borehole stability, cutting removal, and pressure control. However, fluid loss into formations during drilling can compromise formation integrity, alter permeability, and risk groundwater contamination. Water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs) are favored for their environmental and cost-effective benefits but often require additives to address filtration and rheological limitations. This study explored the feasibility of using vegetable waste, including pumpkin peel (PP), courgette peel (CP), and butternut squash peel (BSP) in fine (75 μm) and very fine (10 μm) particle sizes as biodegradable WBDF additives. Waste vegetable peels were processed using ball milling and characterized via FTIR, TGA, and EDX. WBDFs, prepared per API SPEC 13A with 3 wt% of added additives, were tested for rheological and filtration properties. Results highlighted that very fine pumpkin peel powder (PP_10) was the most effective additive, reducing fluid loss and filter cake thickness by 43.5% and 50%, respectively. PP_10 WBDF maintained mud density, achieved a pH of 10.52 (preventing corrosion), and enhanced rheological properties, including a 50% rise in plastic viscosity and a 44.2% increase in gel strength. These findings demonstrate the remarkable potential of biodegradable vegetable peels as sustainable WBDF additives. Full article

The modern construction of transmission networks for transporting energy resources (e.g., crude oil, gas, hydrogen) or electricity is increasingly being carried out using trenchless technologies. Trenchless methods significantly reduce the need for extensive earthworks; however, they consequently generate substantial amounts of drilling waste. This waste consists primarily of a mixture of spent drilling fluids and drill cuttings. Due to the volume and composition of the waste, along with the rapidly increasing costs of waste disposal, the trenchless technology industry faces significant economic and environmental challenges related to circular economy principles in waste management. This article presents an analysis of trenchless construction methods for underground transmission networks, with particular emphasis on the quantity and quality of the generated drilling waste. Furthermore, research is conducted to develop a cationic flocculant based on polyvinylamine, designed to eliminate the harmful coagulants in drilling waste treatment technology. Based on the conducted studies, we propose a closed-loop waste management system for trenchless technologies. The implementation of circular economy principles, along with the integration of drilling fluid treatment systems with photovoltaic panels and energy storage units, enhances the energy efficiency of drilling waste treatment processes and aligns with global trends in the adoption of renewable energy sources (RESs). Full article

This paper aims to solve the problems of difficult breakage and low water yield of wastewater-based drilling fluids. The effects of breakage agent dosage, reaction temperature, stirring speed, and pumping time on the water yield of wastewater-based drilling fluids were analyzed through one-way experiments, and these parameters were optimized by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBF) model was also introduced to compare its performance with that of RSM in predicting optimal process conditions. To further improve the accuracy of the model, a combination of Genetic Algorithm (GA) and RBF was used for optimization. The results show that both RSM and RBF models can predict the water yield of wastewater-based drilling fluids with high accuracy, in which the coefficient of determination of the RSM model is 0.9939, which is better than that of the RBF model (0.9778). The optimal operating conditions are determined through numerical optimization: the amount of glue breaker added is 3.97 kg/m³, the reaction temperature is 51 °C, the stirring speed is 419 rpm, and the maximum water yield is 62.37%, which is the best-predicted water yield. The GA-RBF coupled model performed better in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R² = 0.998), and mean absolute error (MAE), and the t-test verified that there was no significant difference between the predicted and actual values. The maximum value of the water yield of the waste mud could reach 61.97% when the gum breaker was added at 3.83 kg/m³, the reaction temperature was 53 °C, and the stirring speed was 424 rpm, which provided an accurate and reliable theoretical basis and technical support for the harmless treatment of deep and complex drilling fluids. Full article

During the exploration of the gravel stratum, incidents such as wellbore leakage, stuck drilling, and unstable wellbore walls frequently occur. These issues lead to diminished drilling efficiency and prolonged construction timelines, ultimately adversely affecting the core recovery rate, resulting in a significant waste of manpower and material resources. To address the issue of hole collapse during drilling, the microbially induced calcite carbonate precipitation (MICP) technique was employed to enhance the properties of bentonite mud drilling fluids. This study analyzed the effects of three factors, i.e., bentonite, biological solution, and barite powder, on the bentonite mud bio-cementation effectiveness through an orthogonal experiment and response surface methodology (RSM). The biological mechanism was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results indicated that optimal formulation was achieved when the mass fraction of bentonite was 13.96%, the biological solution comprised 0.6% xanthan gum and 0.4% carboxymethyl cellulose, and the mass fraction of barite was 25%. This research explores the application potential of MICP in enhancing the rheological properties of bentonite mud drilling fluids, which provides new insights and technical references for optimizing their performance. Full article

Waste drilling fluids produced from oil extraction can cause serious harm to the ecological environment; thus, the treatment of waste drilling fluids is urgent and important to ensure the sustainability and development of the oil extraction. In this work, we used the Fenton-like reaction method to degrade waste drilling fluids with SiO₂-supported MnO₂@Fe₂O₃ composite material as a catalyst in the presence of H₂O₂. During the Fenton-like reaction process, the MnO₂@Fe₂O₃ interface exhibits exceptional activity by facilitating the production of ·OH species with high activity and strong oxidizing properties, which degrade the organic substances in the waste drilling fluids into smaller inorganic molecules, thereby reducing its COD value. Compared to the reaction only with H₂O₂, after reacting with sufficient SiO₂-supported MnO₂@Fe₂O₃ catalyst for 4 h at 60 °C in the presence of H₂O₂, the COD value of the waste drilling fluids is reduced by 36,495 mg L⁻¹, a decrease of more than 95%. This performance is significantly superior to that of the traditional Fenton reagent FeSO₄, which reduced the COD by 32,285 mg L⁻¹, a decrease of 84%. This work provides an important composite catalyst, which is practically useful for the treatment of waste drilling fluids. Full article

The development of sustainable cooling technologies and increased concern for recycled materials will affect the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which primarily originate from the production industry. In this research paper, a twofold contribution to sustainability is made through the efficient application of a workpiece, obtained by recycling waste in the form of metal chips, and the machining of the obtained workpiece by using alternative cooling techniques comparing them to cutting fluids. Minimum quantity lubrication and cold compressed air cooling were selected as two sustainable, alternative cutting environments. Using Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array, the influence of cutting speed, feed rate and cutting environment on drilling thrust force, built-up edge formation and hole deviation was observed. Using the analysis of variance method, feed rate was identified to have the highest influence on the output parameters (31%), followed by cooling and lubrication techniques (18%) and lastly by cutting speed (5%). Based on the grey relation analysis, optimal controllable factors were identified. This analysis indicated that low cutting speeds and feed rates, coupled with the MQL cutting environment, produced the lowest thrust force, deviation of hole and built-up edge formation. Full article

The implication of nano-additives in drilling fluids introduces a promising avenue for enhancing sustainability in the oil and gas industry. By upgrading the properties of drilling fluids, nano-additives can contribute to mitigating the drilling costs, improving wellbore stability, and minimizing the environmental impact. For example, the use of nano-additives can diminish the amount of drilling fluid required, thus reducing the volume of waste generated. Also, nano-additives can enhance the efficacy of drilling operations, leading to reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This review researches the potential of nano-additives in enhancing sustainable drilling practices, emphasizing the environmental advantages and economic advantages associated with their usage. Specifically, this comprehensive review will elucidate the most recent developments in drilling fluids by evaluating the impact of nano-additives. Referring to the conclusions, adding nanoparticles to drilling fluids significantly improves their characteristics. At 0.2 parts per billion (ppb), for example, the yield stress increases by 36% and the plastic viscosity increases by 17%. In addition, the inclusion of nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.6 ppb led to a significant decrease of 60% in the loss of filtrate. The measured enhancements highlight the capacity of nano-additives to augment the properties of drilling fluid, necessitating additional investigation into their prospective applications for enhancing competitiveness in the gas and oil industry. This study methodically examines the effects of these breakthroughs on scientific, commercial, and industrial sectors. It intends to provide an inclusive understanding of the possible advantages of nano-additives in drilling operations. Full article

Addressing the issues of low reuse rates and high waste content of drilling fluids commonly observed in oilfields, research on reuse technology based on utilizing the same system across different sections of the same well has been conducted. Using the F oilfield as a case study, the mechanism of wellbore destabilization was investigated through X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Corresponding inhibitory anti-collapse drilling fluids for shallow layers were formulated, and a successful deep drilling fluid formula was developed by adding and replacing chemicals in the base fluid, thereby achieving the reuse of multilayered waste drilling fluids. Indoor evaluation results indicate that the high-temperature rheology of the modified deep drilling fluid is reasonable; the high-temperature inhibitor performs excellently, with a 16-h rolling recovery rate of ≥98%; and the settlement stability is robust, with a settlement ratio of 0.50 after 2 h of resting. These findings demonstrate that the drilling fluid possesses both excellent sand-carrying capacity and strong inhibitory effects, meeting the requirements for rapid drilling and wellbore stabilization in this stratum. This technology is straightforward and easy to implement, and it is expected to reduce treatment costs and promote efficient development within the block. Full article

Filtrate reducer is a drilling fluid additive that can effectively control the filtration loss of drilling fluid to ensure the safe and efficient exploitation of oilfields. It is the most widely used treatment agent in oilfields. Due to its moderate conditions and controllable procedure, alkaline hydrolysis of high-purity waste polyacrylonitrile has been utilized for decades to produce filtrate reducer on a large scale in oilfields. However, the issues of long hydrolysis time, high viscosity of semi-finished products, high drying cost, and tail gas pollution have constrained the development of the industry. In this study, low-purity waste acrylic fiber was first separated and purified using high-temperature hydroplastization, and the hydrolyzed product was obtained using alkaline hydrolysis with the micro-water method, which was called MW−HPAN. The hydrolysis reaction was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, and the elemental analysis showed a hydrolysis degree of 73.21%. The experimental results showed that after aging at 180 °C for 16 h, the filtration volume of the freshwater base slurry with 0.30% dosage and 4% brine base slurry with 1.20% dosage was 12.7 mL and 18.5 mL, respectively. The microstructure and particle size analysis of the drilling fluid gel system showed that MW−HPAN could prevent the agglomeration of clay and maintain a reasonable particle size distribution even under the combined deteriorating effect of high temperature and inorganic cations, thus forming a dense filter cake and achieving a low filtrate volume of the drilling fluid gel system. Compared with similar commercially available products, MW−HPAN has better resistance to temperature and salt in drilling fluid gel systems, and the novel preparation method is promising to be extended to practical production. Full article

In this study, the reservoir drill-in fluid (RDF) was modified and optimized to improve the rheological properties and reduce the filtration properties of the drilling fluid used for drilling the oil-bearing zone horizontally. In polymer science, degradation generally refers to a complex process, by which a polymeric material exposed to the environment and workload loses its original properties. Degradation is usually an unwanted process. In certain cases, however, controlled polymer degradation is useful. For instance, it can improve the processability of the polymer or can be used in recycling or natural decomposition of waste polymer. Thus, the drilling fluid and parameter data of 30 horizontal wells that were drilled in the south of Iraq were collected using several reservoir drill-in fluids (RDFs), including FLOPRO, salt polymer mud (SPM), non-damaged fluid (NDF), and FLOPRO_PTS-200 (including the polymer thermal stabilizer). The obtained results showed that the polymer temperature stabilizer (PTS-200) enabled reducing the filtration rate by 44.33% and improved the rheological properties by 19.31% as compared with FLOPRO. Additionally, the average cost of NDF and SPM drilling fluids for drilling the horizontal section of the selected wells is around USD 96,000 and USD 91,000, respectively. However, FLOPRO-based drilling fluid showed less cost for drilling the horizontal section, which is USD 45,000. Full article