Eco-friendly drilling fluid: A study on the use of broad bean peels as a natural additive

Drilling fluid is an essential part of the oil and gas drilling process because it provides the drill bit hydraulic pressure, cools and lubricates the drill, and transports the drilled cuttings to the surface. However, using conventional drilling fluids can have a negative influence on the environment as well as high costs. In order to overcome these issues, experts have recently looked into the use of sustainable and natural additives in drilling fluids. The possibility of using broad bean peels, a frequently encountered agricultural waste, as a natural component in drilling fluid is examined in this study. Testing methods used to assess the effectiveness of broad bean peels as a rheological modifier in drilling fluid included rheological measures, filtration tests, and infrared spectroscopic studies. The results show there is a noticeable trend of increasing plastic viscosity from 7 to 14 and yield point from 3 to 13 as the concentration increased from zero to 8 g. The 10-s gel strength of the drilling fluid also increased from 4 to 23, and the 10-min gel strength increased from 5 to 30 in the same concentration range. Filtration tests showed that the addition of broad bean peels at a concentration of 2% by weight reduced the filtrate loss by 12%, indicating reduced in filter cake thickness. According to the findings, broad bean peels can improve the rheological characteristics of drilling fluid, decrease fluid loss, and provide significant insight into the chemical make-up of the peels that can be used to maximize their effectiveness as drilling fluid additives. According to these findings, broad bean peels might be a practical and long-term replacement for conventional drilling fluid additives, resulting in drilling operations that are more cost- and environmentally-conscious.