Economic evaluation of environmentally friendly vegetable oil-based invert emulsion

Ihenacho, P; Burby, ML; Nasr, GG; Enyi, GC

Abstract

Stringent environmental regulations and technical requirements of difficult formations such as shale demand the use of functional mud system to complete a well safely and economically.
The economic viability of 50/50 oil-water ratio invert emulsion which uses vegetable oil and egg yolk as a non-toxic emulsifier was evaluated.
The evaluation showed less cost of mud formulation by 67% and disposal by 47.5%. This equate to saving of $55.82 per barrel of invert emulsion formulated and $28.50 per barrel disposed.
The low oil-water ratio mud is viable for low fluid loss for enhanced wellbore stability and less oil retained on drilled cuttings

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 2, 2017
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: May 31, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: May 31, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Engineering Technology
• Print ISSN: 0747-9964
• Publisher: American Society for Engineering Education
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 776-783
• Publisher URL: http://www.joetsite.com/