Substituting Oil-Based Mud with High-Performance Water-Based Mud: Technical, Economic and Environmental Study

Abstract

Drilling operations heavily rely on the effective utilisation of drilling fluids to ensure efficient extraction of resources from underground reservoirs. However, the widespread use of oil-based mud (OBM) presents challenges such as high costs, environmental implications, logistical complexities, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. This study investigates the potential of a High-Performance Water-Based Mud (HPWBM) as a cost-effective alternative that not only addresses these challenges but also enhances drilling parameters. Through a comprehensive comparative analysis encompassing environmental impact, logistics, transport, CO₂ emissions, cost considerations, and drilling parameters such as rate of penetration (ROP) and operational time, the research evaluates the transitioning from OBM to HPWBM. The findings contribute to the development of sustainable and economically viable drilling practices, providing valuable insights for industry stakeholders. By transitioning to HPWBM, drilling operations can achieve cost optimization, improve drilling parameters, uphold environmental responsibility, and enhance overall operational efficiency