Synthesis and Evaluation of the Suitability of Using Lagenaria Siceraria Biodiesel in Oil Based Muds

The search for suitable biodiesel for formulating oil based muds for deep high-temperature wells, deviated offshore wells and sensitive shale formation have intensified over the years. The reasons behind the continuous search are in two folds. First, conventional diesel used in formulating oil-based muds are fossil based, costly, non-renewable and detrimental to environment. Secondly, previous attempts to use biodiesels proved to be more expensive than the conventional diesel. In this study, biodiesel was produced from oil extracted from Lagenaria siceraria seeds. The suitability of using the synthesized Lagenaria siceraria biodiesel in oil-based muds was evaluated. The evaluation involved comparing the properties of the synthesized Lagenaria siceraria biodiesel and its drilling muds against those of the conventional diesel and some commonly used plant seed oil based biodiesels. In addition, the economic viability of the use of the synthesized Lagenaria siceraria biodiesel in oil-based muds was evaluated and compared against those of the conventional diesel and the commonly used plant seed oil based biodiesels. The physiochemical properties of the synthesized Lagenaria siceraria biodiesel showed that it has a better potential to replace the conventional diesel. Result of mud properties and toxicity tests also showed that the synthesized Lagenaria siceraria biodiesel has a better potential to replace the conventional diesel. Although, conventional diesel is cheaper than the Lagenaria siceraria biodiesel and the commonly used plant seed oil based biodiesels, economic analysis showed that it is cost effective to use the Lagenaria siceraria biodiesel.