Scientific Contributions Oil and Gas
Vol 49 No 3 (2026)

Effect of Corn Cob Addition on the Rheological and Filtration Properties of Water Based Drilling Mud

Apriandi Rizkina Rangga Wastu (Universitas Trisakti)
Ridha husla (Universitas Trisakti)
Ghanima Yasmianiar (Universitas Trisakti)
Asri Nugrahanti (Universitas Trisakti)
Venezia Chelsea Reggiana Kalalo (Schlumberger)
R Hari Karyadi Oetomo (Universitas Trisakti)
Siti Azizah (Universitas Trisakti)



Article Info

Publish Date
12 Aug 2026

Abstract

Drilling mud is an essential tool in supporting the success of productive and economical oil and gas well drilling activities. Some chemical additives used to enhance the physical and rheological properties of mud tend to be toxic, non-biodegradable, and have negative environmental impacts. The use of household waste materials such as corn cobs, which can be reused as a natural polymer in drilling mud, presents a promising alternative. The separation of these materials serves the purpose of identifying a new type of polymer candidate, as they contain 41.27% cellulose, 46% hemicellulose, and 7.40% lignin, making them suitable for use as a polymer. The research involves analyzing the mud rheology, including plastic viscosity, yield point, gel strength, filtration loss, and mud cake, using three samples of water-based mud containing 1.5 grams, 3 grams, and 4.5 grams of finely ground corn cobs. The samples are then tested at two different temperatures, 80ºF and 200ºF, to observe the behavior of corn cobs when circulated into the well and entering formations with higher temperatures. Changes in rheological values and filtration loss with each additive addition will serve as indicators of the feasibility of corn cobs as a biodegradable alternative additive containing cellulose in drilling mud.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

SCOG

Publisher

Subject

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Energy

Description

The Scientific Contributions for Oil and Gas is the official journal of the Testing Center for Oil and Gas LEMIGAS for the dissemination of information on research activities, technology engineering development and laboratory testing in the oil and gas field. Manuscripts in English are accepted from ...