Browsing by Author "Igwilo, K. C."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Biopolymer substitution and impact on cuttings transport of a lightweight water-based drilling fluid
    (STM Journals, 2017) Uwaezuoke, N.; Onwukwe, S. I.; Igwilo, K. C.; Obah, B.
    The challenges associated with natural gas Pipeline flow assurance is an increasingly important issue as the world supply for natural gas expands, and is expected to rise more strongly to match the global demand for a cleaner energy. Flow assurance challenges in pipelines include hydrate formation, paraffin wax deposition, asphaltene deposition, sand deposits, black powder, and on the wall of pipelines, all of which obstruct the flow of well fluids and associated produced hydrocarbons. This study addressed these flow assurance concerns from a technical view by quantifying the threats and establishing appropriate mitigation schemes, leading to designed solutions and operational procedures. Modeling and simulation approach was adopted to achieve the overall aim. The simulation software tools PVTsim and OLGA were used for both steady state and dynamic states. The phase envelope investigation indicates that the cricondentherm within the constraint of the delivery temperature. The slugging analysis, indicates that hydrodynamic slugging will not be predominant for the pipeline operations at the design flow rate of 30MMscfd along Alakiri – Obigbo, and at 70MMscfd along the Obigbo Tie-in - Intermediate scrap station; as the flow regimes are mainly stratified for both pipeline systems. From the hydrate analysis investigated, after a shutdown period (no-touch time); hydrate threat is envisaged during the shutdown period of the Intermediate scraper trap – ALSCON along pipeline system, since the temperature drops to the hydrate formation temperature.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Environmentally friendly fluid loss control agent in water-based mud for oil and gas drilling operations
    (Research India Publications, 2017) Onuh, C. Y.; Igwilo, K. C.; Anawe, P. A. L.; Daramola, Olakunle; Ogunwomoju, Omotoke
    The fluid loss properties of mud formulated with concentrations of coconut shell and/or corncobs was studied. This study is focused on formulating water based drilling mud using corn cobs and coconut shell as additives in improving the performance of the mud. The additives were varied in different concentrations and its impact were evaluated on the filtration properties using low pressure low temperature (LPLT) filter press at 90 °C and 100 psi. The result of the formulated mud with corn cobs and coconut shell additives were compared to that of the mud containing corn cobs alone, coconut shell alone, and without any of the additives. The results showed that the combination of corn cobs and coconut shell reveals a lower filtrate volume than individual coconut shell and corncobs. However, Corn cobs is a better fluid loss control agent than the coconut shell.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of the effects of alcohol on de-emulsification of Niger Delta crude oil using commercial de-emulsifiers
    (Scientific Research Publishing, 2017-07-14) Igwilo, K. C.; Okolie, S. T. A.; Anawe, P. A. L.; Ogbudu, Roland; Odo, Jude
    This research work evaluates the effects of alcohol on de-emulsification of Niger Delta crude oil using RP6000 and Chimec 2439 as de-emulsifiers. The laboratory measurements were carried out as per API standard. Stable emul sion was prepared using brine. The samples were de-emulsified. Methanol and ethanol were added respectively, with water and without water as modifiers. The measurements of the effect of adding alcohols on water separation effi ciency were carried out using methanol to water ratio, M = 4:1 and ethanol water ratio, E = 4:1. The results show that solubility with alcohol is greater in emulsion than the solubility of alcohol without water. Some comparisons were also made based on the plots on percent water separation versus time for the two modifiers and de-emulsifiers. The maximum separation efficiency of 61% was obtained at concentration of 25% methanol, 75% RP6000, 20 ppm and Chimec 2439 gave maximum separation efficiency of 56.6% at concentration of 75%, 20 ppm at 120 minutes. Based on the results, methanol therefore gave larger effect on water separation efficiency than ethanol