Potential Evaluation and Optimization of Natural Biopolymers in Water-Based Drilling Mud

Drilling cost optimization has always been an important issue in the petroleum industry. In order to save costs and create new markets for local materials, Ofo (D. micocarpum) and food gum (C. populnea) powders were evaluated in this study at high temperature as alternative to imported chemical additives in water based drilling fluid. The base mud composed of alkali beneficiated local clay, achi (B. eurycoma), corn and cocoanut fibers whose viscosity, yield point and gel strength fell short the recommended API standard from preliminary analysis. The two factors were combined using experimental design technique and mud properties optimized numerically using desirability function. At optimum conditions, the mud’s properties obtained include: Plastic viscosity, PV (18.4 ± 0.63 cp), Yield point, Yp (15.7 ± 0.9 lbf/100ft2), Fluid loss, FL (12.1 ± 0.37 ml) and 10 min Gel strength (5.6 ± 0.05 lbf/100ft2). These values are in good agreement with the API recommended standard. Both biopolymers exhibited high potential at low and moderate temperatures. However, food gum is thermally stable, a good rheology stabilizer and filtrate reducer up to the test temperature of 185 oF. The presence and nature of salts in solution influences differently the viscosity of the two bio-polymers

A Multi-objectives regression, optimization and risk assessment of profitability indicators of the simulation of mini Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dispensing unit

In this study, simulation of a mini Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dispensing unit was conducted using ASPEN HYSYS and the operation of both compressor and pump were validated theoretically. The effect of the economic parameters (Total Annual Sales (TAS), Total Production Cost (TPC), Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) and interest rate (r)) on the behaviour of three profitability indicators (Net Present Value (NPV), Return on investment (ROI) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR)) were modelled and optimized using Box Behnken Design (BBD). The uncertainty of the developed models was determined using Oracle Crystal Ball (ORB). The optimum economic parameters, TAS of ₦48,830,600, FCI of ₦37,422,000, TPC of ₦35, 053,000 and r of 5.4% predicted optimum profitability indicators are ROI of 34.6%, NPV of ₦98,993,580.25 and IRR of 34.15% for 15 years’ investment plan. An interaction of the economic parameters showed that for NPV to be positive, TAS value should be greater than ₦42.5 million and the TPC should be less or equal to ₦36 million. The profitability analysis suggested that this investment will pay back in 2.36 years. Given that the demand of LPG is on the increase and therefore, this LPG plant will be a long term investment with a good return on investment