Purified Smectite Clays Organofilized with Ionic Surfactant for Use in Oil-based Drilling Fluids

The main bentonite reservs in Brazil are located in Boa Vista, PB. In order on widening the reserves, on the mineral production and on the consolidation of the state as the largest producer in the country, many studies have been carried out by UFCG on the clays recently discovered in the Districts of Cubati and Pedra Lavrada. This work is intended for the characterization of new deposits, for the development of natural and organofilic clays, which will be employed in oil-based drilling fluids. The characterization of the clay was done by means of the following techniques: GA, XRD, EDX, TG and TGA. For purification, a hydrocyclone was used, and in the organofilization process, the Praepagen-WB surfactant was used, in three proportions. The results suggest that the characterization is typical of bentonite. The purification process proved to be efficient and the rheological study revealed that just one of the clays is suitable for application in oil-based drilling fluids.