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_Hello Community, I'm Ndianabasi Tom, currently a final year student studying Petroleum Engineering. As a way of making my research work (project) more relevant and useful, I will be sharing my project proposal here for contributions, scrutiny, suggestions and criticism in view of embarking on the research. This is a multi-part article, some sections have shared already and other parts and chapters will be posted subsequently. This happens the third in the series and I really do appreciate the supports and contributions so far and I look forward to receiving more. Thank you in anticipation._
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### CHAPTER ONE
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#### INTRODUCTION
[1.1 - Background of the Study](https://steemit.com/steemstem/@tomlee/characterization-of-clay-deposits-in-uyo-local-government-area-of-akwa-ibom-state-in-terms-of-their-suitability-in-drilling)
[1.2 - Defining the Problem](https://steemit.com/steemstem/@tomlee/characterization-of--1562878051)
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<center>https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRhaukrPYF8NjFbTyZvYVgpnBhxr1r5UFvQD7qnFE5vmt/image.png
[Source](https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/07/27/19/20/gas-863196__340.jpg)</center>
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**Significance of the Study**
The research work which is all about the characterization of clay deposits in terms of their suitability in drilling fluid formulation poses a lot of importance and usefulness to the oil campanies in Nigeria (most especially) and those in other nations of the world. 

The results of this study will be beneficial to drilling companies (oil and gas) as well as to researchers in this line of study. It will most especially be useful to the oil companies in the nation Nigeria. With reference to the previous sections of this series, which stated that the oil companies in Nigeria and beyond lack confidence in the vast deposits of clay present in Nigeria and as such refrained from utilizing them in the formulation of drilling fluid, the outcome (results) of this research work will then give these companies confidence to start harnessing and utilizing the local clays in the formulation of drilling mud as the study must have shown the regions where there exist suitable clay deposits as well as certain additives that could be introduced to make the unsuitable ones suitable for drilling fluid. 

However, should the results of the study reveal that there is a similarity in properties between the local clays and the foreign bentonite clays; Uyo Local Government Area clay deposits will then qualify or be recommended as a suitable substitute for the imported bentonite clay. This will in turn bring about a reduction on the importation of foreign bentonite clays for drilling fluid formulation thereby curtailing cost of operations (with respect to the associate cost of importation) for the companies as well as contributing greatly to the improvement and development of the economy of Nigeria. This study will in a nutshell, make the local clays in Nigeria a preferred choice over the imported bentonite.

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**Scope of the Study**
This study which will aim at investigating the suitability of clay deposits in Uyo Local Government Area of Nigeria, will limit the clay properties determination to rheological properties (such as plastic viscosity, yield point and apparent viscosity), sand content, pH, density and filtrate loss. Physical properties of clay such as shape, structure, adsorption and retention of water, deflocculation and flocculation will as well be investigated.   

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**Rheological Properties of Drilling Fluid**

Drilling fluid also known as drilling mud refers to the liquid used in aiding drilling process; it particularly helps in bringing the drill cuttings to the surface. It also helps in cooling and lubricating the drill strings and drill bit. It is also required to provide a sufficient hydrostatic pressure against the formation pressure in order to prevent the encroachment of formation fluids in the well. Owing to this, the drilling fluid should not possess properties that will be detrimental to the drilling operation such as corroding drilling equipment and subsurface tubulars. 

Rheology is simply the study of fluids deformation as well as the flow of matter. The analysis of the hydraulics of a well bore is dependent on the rheological properties of the drilling fluid. The rheological properties of drilling fluid includes:

- Plastic Viscosity
- Apparent Viscosity
- Gel Strength
- Yield Point
- Mud Density
- Flow Behaviour Index
- Consistency Index
- Filtration Rate

The plastic and apparent viscosities can be determined using the Rotational Viscometer and the Marsh Funnel. It should be noted that the Rotational Viscometer gives a more meaninful and accurate measurements. The gel strength, yield point is equally be determined by the Rotational Viscometer. The funnel viscosity is usually being recorded in seconds/quartz while the readings from the Rotational Viscometer is recorded in Centipoise (cP). The mud density is usually being determined using the mud balance while the Filter Press is being used to determined the filtration rate. 

Most drilling problems are closely related to the drilling fluid it is then necessary to always monitor the properties of the drilling fluid while drilling operation is being carried out and this is usually done by specialists known as mud engineers. The mud engineer is concerned about the selection of the best mud for the drilling operation. 

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### References
- https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/78d9/1ae5c584afa69cfbf58607e243c550747c1c.pdf
- Applied Drilling Engineering ( SPE Textbook Series-1984).pdf
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273427481_The_Rheological_Properties_of_Water-Based_Drilling_Fluids
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292877234_Formulation_of_waterbased_drilling_fluid_using_local_materials
- http://jsaer.com/download/vol-5-iss-3-2018/JSAER2018-05-03-359-365.pdf

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