Palm oil derived systems for use in the petroleum industry as drilling fluids.
Drilling fluids (or nuds) are an essential part of the drilling process in oil and gas exploration adn production. They may be formulated from either water or oil. Oil based fluids (normally invert emulsions) offer many cost and pergformance advantages but disposal of oil contamined cuttings from offshore rigs poses a pollution problem. It has been found that palm oil derived systems can be substituted for the current refined mineral oil systems and have the added advantage of low toxicity and enhanced biodegradability. Specifically, the methyl and isobutyl esters of Malaysian Palm Kernel Oil (MEPK AND BEPK respectively) have suitable viscosites and allow adequate control of drilling fluid properties with conventional mud additives. Howeverm both oils are subject to alkaline hydrolysis under the normal operating condicitions of drilling fluids. Research carried out by MEC and IDF, with technical support from PORIM, has shown that this can be affectively avoided by correct control of fluid alkalinity or by formulating water-free systems. BEPK is more stable than MEPK in this respect, but, vevertheless, is subject to an upper temperature limitation of around 160C at this stage of development. The market for palm oil derived systems is also discussed. It is limited by environmental legislation, price and competition from other vegetable and synthetic oils and also by new ater bases fluids.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Texto biblioteca |
| Language: | ng |
| Subjects: | Aceite de palma, Combustibles., derivados, fluidos para perforación, |
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