Formulation of the Mud Sample
The formulation of the mud sample was the first step carried out in the course of the experiment. The apparatus used were the Hamilton Beach mixer, stopwatch, thermometer, mud cup and mud balance. The oil based mud sample was prepared by mixing all the required constituents in a particular order using the Hamilton beach mixer for about two minutes. The formulation procedure is as described, The required amount base oil (Jatropha oil), 280 ml and distilled water (70 ml) are added to the mixing container in an 80 to 20 ratio respectively, 22.5 grams of bentonite is added to the mixing container and stirred for two minutes, 4ml of Versaclean VB, the emulsifying agent is added and the mixture is stirred again for two minutes, The pH was noted, 6 droplets of caustic were added to reduce the pH, The mixture was further stirred for 15 minutes, The pH was taken again, Final mud sample was transferred to a cup, sealed and left to age for approximately 16 hours. The table below outlines the components required to formulate the mud used for the experiment.
Table 2: Requirements for mud sample