AbstractA synthetic-based drilling mud was formulated from derived ester using palm fruit pulp; with primarily focus to evaluate its cuttings carrying potential. The formulated mud was tested for its rheological properties and density. To evaluate its cuttings carrying capacity, the mud was flowed through cuttings bed in a simulated wellbore using 2m (about 6.56ft) long PVC pipe with internal diameter of four inch (4″) inclined at an angle of fifteen degrees (15°) to the horizontal. The results obtained from the flow loop experiment indicate that the formulated mud has a good cuttings carrying capacity with 97% of cuttings transported with hole cleaning potential at a flow rate of 140ft3/min; and the calculated cuttings carrying index (CCI) was 1.35. The results further depict that an increase in the mud's plastic viscosity, yield point and density from 6cp, 10lb/100ft2 and 8.63lb/gal to 17cp, 13lb/100ft2 and 9.50lb/gal resulted in poor cuttings carrying capacity and hole cleaning potential with less CCI value of 0.90. In addition, a sensitivity study of the rheological properties of the formulated mud indicates that with a plastic viscosity (PV) value of 17cp, an effective cuttings carrying capacity and hole cleaning potential was obtained at a flow rate of 180ft3/min. The sensitivity study further reveals that plastic viscosity is the predominant mud's rheological property in evaluating the cuttings carrying index (CCI) of drilling fluid. Therefore, at considerable plastic viscosity, yield point and mud density, the formulated synthetic-based mud exhibits a promising cuttings carrying capacity and hole cleaning potential as a good drilling fluid in drilling operations.
