Investigation and Evaluation of Local Bentonite Characteristics Quality Extracted from Abuhasheem and Mahatta Mountains in Drilling Fluids

Abstract

Bentonite is main component of drilling fluids, used in drilling oil and gas wells, our target and objectives is to explore and evaluate the local bentonite for Abuhasheem Mountain in northern state and Mahatta Mountain in river Nile state in Sudan. Bentonite is montmorillonite and is volcanic origin, from commercial standpoint there are two primary types of natural bentonite sodium and calcium. Sodium bentonite is characterized by its ability to absorb large amount of water and form viscous, thixotropic suspensions. Calcium bentonite in contrast is characterized by its low water absorption and swelling capabilities and its inability to stay suspended in water. Each type of bentonite has its own unique application and is known as the clay of other uses. Our process begins with exploration local bentonite for Abuhasheem and Mahatta mountains. Clay samples are collected and sent to central petroleum laboratory (CPL) for XRD test, criminal evidence laboratory for XRF test and Drilling fluids lab in college of petroleum engineering for measurements properties of clay. The samples were collected and sent to the central petroleum laboratory for XRD test , the sample were then sent to the criminal laboratories for XRF test ,the sample were then sent to laboratory test in college of petroleum engineering and technology to measure properties of the samples, A standard bentonite was added to the samples and the properties were measured to evaluate the quality of bentonite.