Experimental investigation of the effect of henna leaf extracts on cuttings transportation in highly deviated and horizontal wells

Abstract

Henna leaf extracts (HLE) was used to formulate henna water-based mud (HWBM) and its performance on cuttings transport efficiency (CTE) was compared with bentonite water-based mud (BWBM) and fresh water. Tests were conducted in a laboratory-scale flow-loop equipped with a 16-ft-long test section consisting of a concentric annulus outer casing (3.5-in. ID) and a static inner drill-pipe (2.4-in. OD) at hole-angles of 0°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90° with annular fluid velocities (1.1, 1.54, 1.98 and 2.31 ft/s) using a cuttings size diameter of 1.0 mm. Experimental results showed that HWBM have better rheological and filtration properties before and after thermal aging tests than BWBM. Plastic viscosity (PV) was 7.4 cP for BWBM and 6.5 cP for HWBM. Apparent viscosity (AV) of BWBM was 12.7 cP and 13 cP for HWBM. The yield point (YP) of BWBM was 10.5 lb/100 ft2 and 12.2 lb/100 ft2 for HWBM, while high pressure high temperature (HPHT) filtrates volume of HWBM was increased by 70.4% from 5.4 to 9.2 ml but, that of BWBM was increased by 94.4% from 7.1 to 13.8 ml. After heating, the PV of BWBM and HWBM decreased by 6.76% and 1.54%, respectively. The YP of BWBM and HWBM was reduced by 21% and 4.1%, respectively. 45° was the most challenging hole-angle, which needs attention while preparing drilling mud. The findings reported in this study could open new areas of research, in particular HLE additive to boost the drilling industry.