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ESTD Year: 2017 | Impact Factor: 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
ESTD Year: 2017 | Impact Factor: 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
Vol 10 No 8 (2026): Volume 10, Issue 8, August 2026 | Pages: 42-47
International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology
OPEN ACCESS | Research Article | Published Date: 19-08-2026
Physiochemical properties of local clays obtained from Aviara and Uzere of Nigeria were compared to commercial Bentonite clay, the industry standard for drilling mud formulation. The research aims to evaluate the suitability of local clay as a cost-effective alternative to Bentonite in drilling operations. Laboratory analyses of two samples were conducted to determine key parameters, counting moisture content, bulk density, specific gravity, pH, swelling capacity, plasticity index, kinematic viscosity, sand content, and fluid loss. The moisture content of the local clay samples (S1 and S2) was determined to be 13.5% and 17.2%, respectively compared to API standard of maximum of 13.0% by mud weight. Relatively higher moisture content in S2 indicates ability to retain more water in its natural state compared to S1 due to higher clay mineral content, finer particle size, or a more porous structure which influence the clay’s ability to absorb and hold water as well as improve swelling behavior and plasticity. Kinematic viscosity measurement under gravity shows S1 = 2.47 mm²/s, S2 = 2.01 mm²/s, and Bentonite = 24 mm²/s. Results showed that, S1 and S2 are very low — thin fluids — and therefore will be poor at suspending cuttings and prone to solids settling if used unmodified and Bentonite exhibited excellent and superior swelling capacity, viscosity, fluid loss control, and plasticity, confirming its established performance drilling applications. However, additives of soda ash (Na2Co2) of 3 to 5 grams per 350 ml of water clay will increase the Ph to 9 as well as improve viscosity andalter calcium montmorillonite in local clay to high-swelling sodium.3 and 2 grams of Carboxymethyl cellulose and Tanni respectively can reduce filtration loss to API standard by 1 gram per 350 ml and Xanthan gum of 1gram to 350 ml can improve the rheology properties (viscosity, yield point, gel strength). Alternatively, this makes local clay as a substitute less costly to use than Bentonite from all sources.
Bentonite, swelling capacity, plasticity index, kinetic viscosity, Chemical composition, cation exchange capacity (CEC).
Akiojano, A. S.. (2026). Comparison of Physiochemical Properties of Local Clay Samples to Bentonite. International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET, 10(8), 42-47. Article DOI https://doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2026.108005
This work is licensed under Creative common Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 Internation Licence
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