A Novel Ascorbic Acid Based Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent as a Drilling Mud Additive for Shale Stabilization

During drilling, almost 70% of wellbore instability issues result from the encountering shale formations. Various additives such as salts, silicates, and polymers are used in water-based mud to enhance its shale-inhibition capability; however, have certain limitations. Lately, ionic liquids deep eutectic solvents (DES) been by various research groups inhibitors drilling fluid due their biodegradability efficacy. However, popularity faded when a natural derivative DES, i.e., Natural Deep Eutectic solvent (NADES), came into picture. This utilizes in-house-prepared Ascorbic acid Glycerine (AA:Gly)-based NADES additive for inhibition compares efficacy with counterpart KCl, imidazolium-based liquid, Choline Chloride-based DES. The results show that 3% improved overall Yield point Plastic viscosity ratio, 39.69% decline cake thickness 28% filtrate volume mud. Along properties, resulted 77.77% 87% recovery. Surface tension, d-spacing, zeta potential, FESEM conducted justify elucidate inherent mechanism behind working clay stabilizer. Thus, acid-based is recommended potential non-toxic cheap improve properties stability.