The Ability of LGC as a Drilling Mud Rheological Modifier

The study was conducted to explore the use of this water-soluble LGC as a prospective drilling mud multi-functional additive and evaluate its thermal stability in both fresh-water and saline-water drilling muds. The mud rheological tests were performed according to the American Petroleum Institute (API] standard specifications by means of a direct-indicating viscometer with 

Bentonites are extensively used in a water-based mud as a primary viscosifier (viscosity building agent]. Often, the consistency of yield of this mud is increased by adding polymers (Speers et al., 1988]. This practice allows poor yielding bentonites to be treated in order to meet the American Petroleum Institute (API] standards (American Petroleum Institute, 2008]. 

Additionally, gel strength (0) measurements were read directly from the deflection scale. When making gel strength measurements, force was applied manually by turning the gel knob and observing the maximum reading on the deflection scale before the gel broke. 

In this study, three sets of experiments were performed according to the American Petroleum Institute standard procedures (API Recommended Practice, 2008 API Recommended Practice, 2008 API Recommended Practice, 2005). 

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