Effect of Acacia Gum Powder on the Rheological and Thixotropic Properties of Drilling Fluids
Keywords:
Acacia gum powder, drilling fluid, Rheology, Thixotropy, DrillingAbstract
Drilling operations are an important component of energy production. For a successful drilling operation, high efficient drilling fluid must be used. The efficiency of drilling fluid is provided by different organic and inorganic additives. In this study, the effect of acacia gum powder on the rheological and thixotropic properties of drilling fluids is investigated and the results are compared with Xanthan Gum is widely used in industrial applications. In the experiments, acacia gum powder and xanthan gum were added to the spud type drilling fluids prepared at different ratios (between 0.05-1.0 wt.%). Firstly, rheogram curves of the additive drilling muds were created and the flow profile are determined. Then, rheological properties were analysed by apparent viscosity, plastic viscosity and yield point analysis. Also, thixotropic properties were determined by shear thinning index and thixotropy index calculations. As a result of the analysis, it is determined that acacia gum powder can be used as an alternative additive material to xanthan gum as a rheology and thixotropy enhancer in spud type drilling fluids.
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