New Improved Muds from Environmental Sources

NIMES -  [New Improved Muds from Environmental Sources] - is a Technology Strategy Board Collaborative R&D project valued at  £1.7M over 3 years [2008/11]involving MI Swaco, Technium Cast, Durham University, University College London and Glyndwr University and is concerned with the development of water based drilling muds for oil recovery in the North Sea.

During the drilling of oil wells technical drilling fluids are used to lubricate the drill bit and to maintain the hydrostatic pressure as well as suspending the cuttings. These drilling fluids are critical as they contain additives to prevent swelling of the clay fragments. Swelling leads to slower drilling and significantly increases the costs of the well as it leads to downtime. The costs associated with this vary but a figure in excess of $500M per annum is often quoted.

Oil-based drilling fluids offer excellent technical performance, but these fluids must be fully contained due to the potential environmental implications of contamination. As a result of this water-based systems will often be employed by the industry on environmental grounds. This project sets out to achieve better technical performance and improved biodegradation to comply with further tightening of environmental legislation. The project will culminate in early 2011 with a field trial of new additives.

The Centre for Water Soluble Polymers at Glyndŵr University has particular expertise in the area of natural water soluble polymers and its role will be to develop a range of biodegradable polysaccharide derivatives for commercial application.

More information on this project can be found at www.nimes.org.uk