PREPARATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF PECTIN POLYMER DRILLING MUD CONTAINING CITRUS PEELS AND SNAIL SHELL WASTE

In this project, a biodegradable drilling mud was prepared, using pectin obtained from citrus peels and calcium carbonate, obtained from snail shells. Pectin was extracted from orange peels by acid extraction method, in a Hydrochloric (HCL) acid solution of 0.05M concentration, at 100°C. It was filtered and coagulated with Isopropanol in the ratio of 1:2. Calcium Carbonate was obtained from Calcined Snail shells at 400°C ± 20°C for 60 minutes in the Laboratory Furnace. The samples were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The Pectin Was modified with Calcium water in the ratio of 1:5. The modified Pectin was used to prepare a polymer Drilling Mud tagged MCP. A standard mud was also prepared from chemically modified carboxymethyl starch Tagged MMS. The filtration properties of both muds were obtained by filter loss method at room temperature of 25°C and high temperature of 270°C. The FTIR peaks showed the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, C-N or C-O bonds, which adds to the stability and rheological properties of the drilling mud. AFM showed the size, shape and distribution of the grains which aids surface reactivity and adsorption. From the results, Fluid Sorptivity for MCP = 29.619 ml/mins. Fluid Sorptivity for MMS = 28.00 ml/mins. This is proving that MCP has better fluid loss control than MMS, at room temperature (25°C). It also shows that MCP has better ability to maintain wellbore stability during drilling.