Study on Attapulgite as Drilling Fluid Clay Additive in Persian Gulf Seawater

Drilling fluids are a vital part of every successful well construction operation. Water based used commonly due to better environmental compatibility, lower cost and easier preparation. In offshore drilling, seawater can be as the basis water fluids. Salinity restricts application some additives. For example, bentonite settles in saline environments. this study, synthetic is prepared on Persian Gulf seawater. Bentonite, pre-hydrated attapulgite suspensions were developed fresh water. Rheological filtration properties tested check their performance Results measurements showed thick mud cake high volume case attapulgite, increased comparing However, acceptable. Study rheological revealed that Herschel-Bulkley model predict with good accuracy. This for both seawaters. Also it was seen all suspension had flow behavior index less than 1, showing shear thinning character. By increasing clay concentrations, higher consistency index, yield stress gel strength values reported. At concentration stronger three-dimensional network particles aqueous environment consequently structure formed. Overall, concluded