Beneficiation of Nigerian bentonite using local materials
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ORIGINAL PAPER-PRODUCTION ENGINEERING
Beneficiation of Nigerian bentonite using local materials Kevin C. Igwilo1 · N. Uwaezuoke1 · N. Okoli1 · Franklin T. Obasi1 · Emeka E. Okoro2 Received: 19 May 2020 / Accepted: 7 July 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract In previous studies, it has been found that the Nigerian bentonite is deficient in terms of its fluid loss and rheological properties which includes yield point. Also, due to its high calcium content and low sodium content as opposed to foreign bentonite, it does not meet the API standard of drilling. This research was carried out to beneficiate the Nigerian bentonite as regards its fluid loss properties, rheological properties and wellbore stability. Snail shell is seen as waste substance in Nigeria, and Mucuna solannie on the other hand is a local major food supplement in Nigeria and is found in large quantities. The elemental and oxide compositions of the snail shell and Mucuna solannie were determined through scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction measurements, respectively. The additives were used to beneficiate the Nigerian bentonite, and the test result proved that at considerable concentrations of the additives, the Nigerian bentonite was able to compete with foreign bentonite and also met API specifications. Both additives contain high concentrations of nanoparticles and inhibitive calcium and potassium for wellbore stability. Beneficiated Nigerian bentonite also proved to be viable economically when compared with foreign bentonite. Keywords Beneficiation · Economic analysis · Fluid loss · Foreign bentonite · Mucuna solannie · Nigeria bentonite · Rheological properties · Snail shell Abbreviations FB Foreign bentonite NB Nigerian bentonite SS Snail shell MS Mucuna solannie YP/PV Yield point-to-plastic viscosity ratio
Introduction Nigeria as of the year 2016 had about thirty-seven (37) proven oil reserves according to Worldometers. These reserves can only be exploited if they are explored and drilled. For drilling operations to be successful, the use of drilling fluids must be employed which is formulated from combination of clay (mostly bentonite) and other materials to aid drilling. Though Nigeria has a substantial amount of clay deposits, it is not fully used during drilling operations * N. Uwaezuoke [email protected] 1
Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Nigeria
Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
2
in the country due to its inability to meet API standards for drilling fluid. Since the success of drilling operations depends on the proper selection of drilling fluid system (Bourgoyne et al. 1991), some of the bentonites used in mud formulation in Nigeria are imported to avoid catastrophe related to using substandard bentonite. According to previous research, beneficiation of Nigerian bentonite from its predominant calcium-based composition to sodium-based clay can go a long way in improving its properties. Bentonite is the main substance which provides flu
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