Mud drilling: Electrolyte and polymer effects on rheological and filtration properties

Abstract

The behavior of the clay-polymer-electrolytes interactions compounds, which constitute drilling fluid, was studied. The bentonite used was essentially montmorilloite. Electrolyte increased the viscosity. The polymer exhibited viscoelastic properties that drain easily dust drilling and reduce the filtrate. Electrolyte compound enhanced system stability. The suspension made an homogeneous cake with low permeability and low filtrate. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 18th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering (Prague, Czech Republic 8/24-28/2008).