OIL & GAS INDUSTRY

Discripation

Bentonite clay is used in vertical drilling fluids to increase viscosity and filtration control. This mineral is also ideal in drilling fluids because it expands when exposed to water. This expansion helps down hole formations to be sealed from invading drilling fluids. The Drilling bentonite extracts the drill cuttings from around the drill bit, which are then floated to the surface. Bentonite also serves to cool and lubricate the drill bit as well as seals the drill hole against seepage and to prevent wall cave-ins. It is mainly use in fresh pure water rotary drilling conditions as water quality will affect bentonite performance. The quantity of bentonite used is variable depending upon the depth of the hole to be drilled. Generally one tonne of bentonite is used to prepare about 100 barrels of mud.

Advantages

Bentonite extracts the drill cutting from around the bit which is then floated to the surface. Bentonite seals the drill hole against seepage and prevents wall cavities and leakages. Bentonite (Drilling mud) served to cool and lubricate the drill bit. Bentonite form slurry with leakages that is pumped through drill stem and out through drill bit.

Applications

Drilling mud (gel) is crucial in the extraction of drill cutting during the drilling processes. Drilling mud (gel) is a major component in well drilling process. Another conventional use of bentonite is as a mud constituent for oil and water well drilling. Its roles are mainly to seal the borehole walls, to remove drill cuttings and to lubricate the cutting head.