Application of new environment friendly natural product in water based drilling fluid to improve its filtration properties

The present work is an attempt to carry on analytical work on a biodegradable cellulosic material obtained from the fibre of a plant which is scientifically known as Grewia Optiva. In this study, 125 µm particle size of Grewia optiva fibres was used as a filtration loss controlling agent in drilling fluid. The Grewia Optiva mud samples were hot rolled at 100 °C for 16 h and it was observed that the said fibre at 5% concentration (w/v) has reduced the low pressure–low temperature (LPLT) filtration loss of drilling mud by 72.5% under the differential pressure of 100 psi. On further assessment vis a vis comparative analysis with available market products like carboxy methyl cellulose-low viscosity grade (CMC-LVG) and polyanionic cellulose-low viscosity grade (PAC-LVG), it was found that addition of CMC and PAC-dLVG at 1.4% (w/v) in reference mud, the LPLT filtration loss was reduced by 70% and 70.6%, respectively. Use of 5% GOFP in the reference mud, the high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) filtration loss of drilling fluids was reduced by 69.2% at 100 °C temperature and 500 psi pressure. The thickness of filter cake was reduced by 41.1% after the addition of 5% GOFP in the reference mud. While the conventional fluid loss reducing agents such as CMC and PAC, both at 1.4% concentration have reduced the HPHT filtration loss by 63.46% and 64.6%, respectively, as compared to reference mud. This is indicative of a valid filtration loss control potential of Grewia optiva fibre powder.