Flow and thixotropy of non-contaminating oil drilling fluids formulated with bentonite and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

A study has been made of low-contaminating oil drilling mud in water base, composed of bentonite, at concentrations in the range of 6–12% (w/w), and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose at two different concentrations. Flow analysis yielded an empirical formula indicating shear stress as a function of the formulation concentrations of bentonite and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, stirring time and shear rate. To study the thixotropy of the different formulations the cycles' method has been used. Calculations were made of the thixotropic areas, obtaining a semi-empirical equation for these areas. The results are analyzed on the base of relative thixotropic area and total relative thixotropy — the latter being defined by the authors in this study.