The application of methyl glucoside as shale inhibitor in sodium chloride mud

Abstract

The methyl glucoside drilling fluid, or designated as the MEG, is a recently developed environmentally-friendly water-based mud. It is said to possess performance that approaches the oil-based mud. This project studied on the effects of introducing MEG into sodium chloride (MEG/ NaCl) mud in controlling shale hydration and dispersion at different concentrations, namely 5% to 35% by weight, through hot rolling dispersion test, based on the American Petroleum Institute – Recommended Practice – 13I. The inhibitive features were further evaluated against several shale samples which had different reactivity and clay contents. Besides, the performance of MEG/NaCl mud was also evaluated through series of rheological properties, fluid loss, mud water activity, and ageing process tests as recommended in the American Petroleum Institute – Recommended Practice – 13B. The experimental results revealed that MEG/NaCl mud system could satisfactorily exhibit shale stabilization performance. The effective concentration of MEG, however, was corresponding on the reactivity and clay content present in the shale. The experiment results also showed that MEG is a good fluid loss control agent.