Investigation of Dioscorea opposutifolia L. as green lubricat in water based drilling fluids

With the increasing exploration of unconventional well, such as horizontal wells and complex wells, and the increasing strict national environmental protection regulations, the requirement for drilling fluids lubricants is more demanding. High-performance and environment-friendly lubricants for water-based drilling fluid are urgently needed. In this work, Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposutifolia L.) was investigated as a drilling fluid lubricant, the effects of Chinese yam slurry on drilling fluid lubricating properties at different temperatures were investigated, and the compatibility and inhibitory properties of Chinese yam slurry were studied. The results show that the viscosity coefficient of the mud cake is reduced by 44.5% as 1.5% Chinese yam slurryadded in water-based drilling fluids. Chinese yam also has certain temperature resistance in drilling fluids, and it can inhibit the swelling of clay. Chinese yam slurry is compatitive compatible with other drilling fluid additives, and the lubricity of modified drilling fluids can also be improved effectively. The lubrication mechanism of Chinese yam slurry was discussed through TGA, SEM, FTIR, and contact angle tests.