COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF USING OIL OR WATER BASE MUD

Comparative Study of the Environmental Impacts of using Oil or Water Base-Mud



Acknowledgement

I would like to thank my wife and my kids who inspired me to finish my research. I would like to thank and appreciate all the people who sacrifice their time to guide me and showed me the right way to finish my project. I dedicate my gratitude to Mr. Shaker Al-Hawaj who always there to help not only me but also others. Also I would like to thank Dr. Yingkui Zhao my module tutor and Dr. Karl S Williams my Dissertation advisor for guiding me through my research, Ammar and Naser from ADNOC Group as well as Rashid and Mohamed from National drilling company for guiding and provide me with all the details and information I need to complete this research.

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “environmental impact of using oil or water base mud” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “environmental impact” and its relation with “oil or water base mud in drilling process”. The research also analyses many aspects of “oil base mud” and tries to gauge its effect on “environment”.

Table of Contents

Abstract3

Chapter I: Introduction5

Starch modification10

Developed starch products11

Hypothesis12

Research Aims & Objectives12

Significance of Study13

Chapter II: Literature Review14

Oil Rig Components14

power system14

hoisting system14

rotating system15

circulation system15

Drilling Process18

Chapter III: Methodology19

Materials & methods19

Environmental samples19

Microbiological analysis20

Hydrocarbon-utilization & nitrogen-fixation potential21

Hydrocarbon-attenuation by environmental samples as inocula23

Molecular analysis24

Statistical analysis25

Water-based mud preparation25

Testing26

Chapter IV: Results & Dsicussion29

Results29

Environmental samples34

Microbiological analysis35

Hydrocarbon- utilization & nitrogen-fixation potential36

Hydrocarbon attenuation by environmental samples as inocula38

Molecular analysis39

Discussion40

Chapter V: Conclusions46

References49

Comparative Study of the Environmental Impacts of using Oil or Water Base-Mud

Chapter I: Introduction

New technologies are not only helping the petroleum industry's bottom line, they are significantly reducing the impact of oil and gas operations on the environment. These technologies are proving that a steadily growing demand for energy can be met while reducing the threat to air and water quality. That's the conclusion of a report issued recently by the US Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy. Shales are low permeability sedimentary rocks that have distinct laminated layers and moderate to high clay content. These characteristics make them vulnerable to phenomena such as hydration, swelling, shrinking, strength reduction and ultimatelyfailure. Manohar (1999) notes that the distinguishing features of shales are its claycontent and low permeability due to poor pore connectivity through narrow pore throats (typical pore diameters range from 3nm to100nm). The ability of shales to adsorb water depends on the amount and type of clay minerals present. For example, shales that mainly contain smectite (surface area - 750 m2/gm) have more affinity for water than shales that mainly contain illite (surface area -80 m2/gm) or kaolinite (surface area -25 m2/gm).

Wellbore instability in shales is attributed to many factors. The most common ones are mechanical effects and physico-chemical effects. Mechanical failure takes place when the stresses acting on the wellbore exceed the shale strength. This occurs when the mud weight is either ...