Study on the development of effective drilling fluid based on cornstarch

This study aims to investigate the potential of utilising natural polymer like cornstarch acting as fluid loss control agents in water-based drilling mud. The filtration and rheological properties of the water-based mud were analysed at 30°C to 80°C temperature range with 4,000 to 20,000 ppm of cornstarch concentration. Experimental results showed that the higher concentration of cornstarch offers better fluid loss control behaviour. Therefore, cornstarch has a high potential to be used as a fluid loss control agent in drilling mud. Filtration loss testing uses low-pressure low-temperature and high-pressure high-temperature equipment. Rheological tests such as viscosity was measured by Anton Paar viscometer devices while plastic viscosity and gel strength used the Fann VG Meter tool. The filtration loss, mud cake thickness and viscosity of corn starch-based mud were obtained as 10 ml/30 min, 0.8 mm and of 70 cP with higher effectiveness of the mud.