A New Bentonite Source with Unusual Thermal Stability
- Key words
- Exploration; USA; Colorado; Viscosity; Temperatures; Ppb; Bentonite; Drilling; Thermal Stability; Hot Rolling Tests
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1982
- Session
- Drilling fluids; Bentonite
- Language
- English
Abstract
A new bentonite source is being developed in Queensland, Australia that meets all current API specifications and appears to have unusual geothermal stability. It does not undergo thermal flocculation that is characteristic of Wyoming bentonite until approximately 500°F. Viscosity of this Australian bentonite is essentially constant over the temperature range studied. Its response to polymers and thinners is similar to Wyoming bentonite. When used in geothermal drilling fluids such as HTM-1, and several variations of it, filtration control is superior to sepiolite and similar to Wyoming bentonite. Hot rolling at 500°F for extensive periods indicated that this Australian bentonite is durable.
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