Performance of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Produced from Cocoa Pod Husk as Fluid Loss Control Agent at High Temperatures and Variable (Low and High) Differential Pressure Conditions-Part 1

Environmental concerns and cost associated with drilling operations have made us promote the application of biodegradable and renewable drilling fluid additives, particularly at high temperature. In this study, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) synthesized from cocoa pod husk (cocoa NaCMC) was tested as a filtration agent at high temperature and differential pressure conditions. Moreover, eight mud samples containing various fluid-loss additives were tested. The Filtration test was performed using the permeability plugging tester at 248 °F temperature and 100 psi and 300 psi differential pressures with ceramic discs 10 μm and 90 μm. In addition, the degree filtration agents affect the drilling mud’s rheological parameters were estimated. Also, thermal degradability of the sample was also studied. The results showed that filtration control performance at high temperature and low/high differential pressure was improved by decreasing particle size and increasing concentration. Using the cocoa NaCMC was proved to be a better filtration agent at high-temperature conditions with a high thermal degradability. Finally, the obtained results indicated that the filtration control performance declined in higher permeable formation. Moreover, the drilling fluid’s rheological properties were improved by the cocoa NaCMC, and it was comparable to the industrial PAC.