Evaluation of the Suitability and Effectiveness of Carboxylmethyl Cellulose (CMC) from Rice Husks and Saw Dust as Replacement for Conventional Hydroxy Ethyl Cellulose (HEC) as Additive for Cement Slurry Design

Cementing is an integral part of well completion operations and its design requires proper and adequate selection of the cement type, additives, slurry properties and cost analysis. This study evaluated the suitability and effectiveness of using Cellulose derived from Rice husk and Saw dust as a cement slurry additive to replace conventional cellulose in order to minimize cost and optimize drilling. Rice husk was sundried for twenty-four (24) hours and grinded into powder. Rice husks and Saw dust were processed and Carboxylmethyl Cellulose (CMC) was extracted with Sodium Hydroxide, Ethanol and Sodium Monochloroacetate. Three cement slurry samples from the produced CMC (Rice husks and Sawdust) and the conventional HEC were formulated. Different mass percent concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6,0.8 and 1 of the CMC from Rice husks, Saw dust and Conventional HEC were added and subjected to different temperature conditions of 200°F, 300°F, 400°F, 500°F, 600°F. Rheological Properties of the formulated cement slurry such as Yield point and Plastic viscosity were tested at those temperature conditions. Results show that the yield point for all the temperature conditions and the additive concentration for the CMC from Rice husks and Saw dust have the same trend with the conventional HEC. In addition, the plastic viscosity of the CMC from the Rice husks and Saw dust were in agreement and same trend with the conventional HEC. The results revealed that cellulose prepared from Rice husks and Saw dust gave almost the same rheological properties as the conventional HEC and can be used in place of conventional HEC to reduce cost and also achieve the same results. The results clearly present the Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) derivatives as good alternatives as shown by the competing performance of the additives which are clearly analyzed in the results of this study. iii. The analysis of the two CMC additives shows that CMC from rice husks has some considerable advantage over those of saw dust as a result of possible contaminants and bio-influencing materials and availability.