Evaluation of Possible Application of Powder Made from Fallen Tree Leaves as a Drilling Mud Additive

Drilling muds play the essential role the drilling process as they perform many functions, such as the removing of drill cuttings and controlling well pressure. Water-based drilling muds, through the use of more environmentally friendly additives, can meet increased environmental requirements. Many researchers have studied the effects of different natural materials on drilling mud to find environmentally friendly and effective drilling mud materials. The popularity of using waste materials is mainly due to their cost and favourable environmental impact. Performed literature review showed that the rheological and filtration characteristics of water-based drilling muds are enhanced with the addition of leaves of various plants and trees. This article presents investigations of clay-free drilling mud with the addition of birch and aspen leaf powder. This is relevant in the autumn period, since fallen leaves are solid municipal waste and should be disposed of by removal to landfills. The obtained data indicate the possibility of using leaf powder in the drilling mud composition. Addition of leaf powder to the base mud increases the gel strength and plastic viscosity of the mud.  In an extent reduces the yield point and filtration index. Rheological parameters increase by 10-30% and filtration index decreases up to 15-17%.