Application of Psyllium Husk as a Friendly Filtrate Reducer for High-Temperature Water-Based Drilling Fluids

Aiming at the challenge that environmental protection and high-temperature fluid loss reduction performance of the traditional water-based drilling fluid treatment agent are difficult to balance, our studies added psyllium husk as a high-temperature-resistant and environmentally friendly filtrate reducer to a water-based drilling fluid. The composition, physical and chemical properties, and microstructure of psyllium husk are characterized. Then, the effects of psyllium husk after hot rolling at different temperatures on the rheological properties and fluid loss properties of bentonite-based slurry are evaluated. The results show that the psyllium husk added to the bentonite-based slurry can effectively improve the Theological properties and fluid loss properties of the bentonite-based slurry, and the temperature resistance can reach 160 degrees C. After hot rolling at 160 degrees C, adding 1 w/v % psyllium husk can reduce the API fluid loss and high-temperature and high-pressure fluid loss of the bentonite-based slurry by 76,04 and 56.91%, respectively, showing excellent fluid loss reduction performance at high temperatures. The branched structure and uronic acid of psyllium husk can inhibit the degradation of its own molecular structure to a certain extent, which is the fundamental reason why psyllium husk still has excellent fluid loss reduction performance at high temperatures. Psyllium husk is expected to replace some traditional synthetic polymers and be used in environmentally friendly high-temperature-resistant water-based drilling fluids.

Automated summary

In this study, psyllium husk was added as a high-temperature-resistant and environmentally friendly filtrate reducer to a water-based drilling fluid, and its effects on the rheological properties and fluid loss properties of bentonite-based slurry were evaluated. The results showed that the addition of psyllium husk effectively improved the rheological properties and fluid loss properties of the bentonite-based slurry, with temperature resistance up to 160 degrees C. The branched structure and uronic acid of psyllium husk inhibited the degradation of its molecular structure, which contributed to its excellent fluid loss reduction performance at high temperatures. Thus, psyllium husk is expected to be used in environmentally friendly high-temperature-resistant water-based drilling fluids.