APPLIED JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2756-6684
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/AJPS
Start Year: 2018
Email: ajps@integrityresjournals.org
Suitability assessment of indigenous clay deposits for drilling fluid application: A case study of Egbeta clay
https://doi.org/10.31248/AJPS2026.136 | Article Number: D64DC5412 | Vol.7 (2) - April 2026
Received Date: 07 January 2026 | Accepted Date: 15 March 2026 | Published Date: 30 April 2026
Authors: Obeta, P. O.* and Ogojiaku, G.
Keywords: Starch, moisture content, pH, Rheological properties, Cation exchange capacity, lime, mud weight, sand content
The reliance on imported bentonite for drilling fluid formulation in Nigeria poses significant economic challenges and limits local content development. This study evaluates the suitability of indigenous clay deposits from the Egbeta community, Edo State, for water-based drilling fluid applications. Clay samples were collected and subjected to laboratory analyses, including moisture content, pH, mud weight, rheological properties, sand content, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Local additives such as lime and starch were incorporated to assess their influence on mud performance. Results indicated that Egbeta clay exhibits low moisture content (2.3–5.0%), acidic pH (4.17–4.51), poor viscosity, weak gel strength (1–3 lb/100 ft²), and low yield point, reflecting limited hydration and suspension capacity. Moderate CEC values (3.0–4.0 meq/100 g) suggested some ion exchange potential, but overall rheological behaviour remained below standard drilling fluid requirements. Additive incorporation produced slight improvements in viscosity and gel strength, yet performance was insufficient for direct industrial application. High sand content (2.5–3.0%) further highlighted the presence of impurities requiring beneficiation. The findings demonstrate that untreated Egbeta clay is unsuitable for direct drilling fluid use. However, with beneficiation, chemical activation, and incorporation of polymers or nanomaterials, its properties could be enhanced to meet industrial standards. This study provides baseline data on Egbeta clay and underscores its potential as a local substitute for imported bentonite, supporting Nigeria’s petroleum sector and local content initiative.
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