EVALUATING THE USES OF AGRO BASED BY PRODUCT AS POTENTIAL FLUID LOSS ADDITIVE AND AS A PH ENHANCER FOR FORMULATION OF WATER-BASED DRILLING FLUID

The escalating cost and environmental concerns associated with synthetic and chemical-based drilling fluid additives have intensified the search for sustainable, cost-effective alternatives. This study evaluates the potential of agro-based by-products—specifically coconut shell ash, plantain peel ash, and rice husk ash—as dual-function additives in water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs). The primary objectives are to assess their efficacy as fluid loss control agents and as pH enhancers. Standard API filtration tests and pH measurements were conducted on base mud samples treated with varying concentrations (2–10 wt.%) of the agro-additives. Results indicate that the selected agro-by-products significantly reduce fluid loss volume, with coconut shell ash achieving up to 42% reduction compared to the base mud. Furthermore, all three additives exhibited strong alkalinity (pH 10.5–12.3), effectively raising and buffering the mud pH within the optimal range (9.5–11.5) required for inhibiting clay hydration and corrosion control. The findings suggest that agro-waste materials are not only viable substitutes for conventional additives like carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and caustic soda but also promote waste valorization and reduce the ecological footprint of drilling operations.