Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Chemical Engineering University of Port Harcourt
2
World Bank African Centre of Excellence for Oilfields Chemical Research (ACE-CEFOR), University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, Nigeria.
Abstract
Baryte, a non-metallic mineral, is primarily for the formulation of drilling mud, to control reservoir pressure during drilling. However, in spite of its abundance reserves in Nigeria, the international oil companies (IOC) operating in Nigeria, still apply imported baryte for operations. Therefore, in this research, the physical properties (specific gravity (SG), hardness and moisture content (MC, and pH)), of baryte deposits from 5 selected sites in Obubra mine of Cross River State, were determined and compared, vis-à-vis the API specifications, to ascertain their suitability for use in oil drilling. The streak test was first conducted on the samples; the white powder indicated the samples were baryte ores. The samples were separately washed, dried, crushed, grind and milled. The ores hardness of 3.5, and MC range of 0.00-0.01%, and pH range of 7-7.4, were all within the API specifications. Readings from the SG obtained were; site 1=4.25, site 2 = 4.28, site 3 = 4.32, site 4 = 4.12 and site 5 = 3.37. Thus, baryte in site 3 and 5 recorded the highest and least SG respectively. These results, showed that ores from sites, 1, 2, and 3 meet the API 4.20 specification for drilling purposes. At a SG of 4.12, site 4 sample, fell slightly below 4.20, while site 5 sample was clearly unsuitable for drilling. Therefore, baryte from site 4 and 5, should be further processed to meet the API SG specification for drilling. These findings proves that Obubra baryte possess crucial criteria for drilling mud formulation.
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