Alanoud Al-Eid
Petroleum Engineer
Ministry of Oil Kuwait
Alanoud A. Al-Eid is a Petroleum Engineer at the Ministry of Oil, Kuwait. A graduate of the Australian University – Kuwait, Alanoud represented Kuwait at the OAPEC conference in 2023, contributing to discussions on international energy demand. she is passionate about her profession and brings strong capabilities in data interpretation, analytical problem‑solving.
Participates in
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Primary Energy Supply
New Exploration & Production Technologies to Extend Supply
Forum 03 | Digital Poster Plaza 1
29
April
11:30
13:30
UTC+3
The widespread use of non-biodegradable chemical additives in drilling fluids continues to pose serious environmental concerns, particularly regarding waste disposal and the risk of freshwater contamination. As the oil and gas industry transitions toward more sustainable practices, there is growing interest in identifying eco-friendly, cost-effective alternatives that meet both environmental and technical performance requirements.
This study investigates the potential of biodegradable food waste derivatives including Potato Peel Powder (PPP), Banana Peel Powder (BPP), and Gum Arabic Powder (GAP) as additives in water-based drilling fluids to improve rheological and filtration properties. Laboratory tests were conducted according to API standard procedures using a viscometer and filter press to evaluate the impact of these additives on plastic viscosity (PV), API fluid loss, and mud cake characteristics.
The results indicate that PPP and BPP significantly enhanced fluid loss control by 78% and 43%, respectively, positioning them as promising natural alternatives to synthetic fluid loss agents. Additionally, PPP and GAP improved plastic viscosity by 38% and 25%, respectively demonstrating their effectiveness in increasing carrying capacity and optimizing hole cleaning during high-viscosity sweeps.
Beyond technical performance, these bio-additives offer substantial operational and economic advantages. They are locally available, inexpensive, and derived from agricultural waste, thus supporting circular economy principles. Their use reduces reliance on costly imported chemicals, minimizes environmental impact, and aligns with sustainability goals in upstream operations. Moreover, adopting such biodegradable solutions could facilitate drilling in environmentally sensitive areas, extend the viability of mature fields, and enhance stakeholder acceptance of exploration activities.
This work underscores the feasibility and benefits of integrating biodegradable, food waste-derived materials into drilling fluid systems as part of a broader strategy for sustainable petroleum engineering practices.
This study investigates the potential of biodegradable food waste derivatives including Potato Peel Powder (PPP), Banana Peel Powder (BPP), and Gum Arabic Powder (GAP) as additives in water-based drilling fluids to improve rheological and filtration properties. Laboratory tests were conducted according to API standard procedures using a viscometer and filter press to evaluate the impact of these additives on plastic viscosity (PV), API fluid loss, and mud cake characteristics.
The results indicate that PPP and BPP significantly enhanced fluid loss control by 78% and 43%, respectively, positioning them as promising natural alternatives to synthetic fluid loss agents. Additionally, PPP and GAP improved plastic viscosity by 38% and 25%, respectively demonstrating their effectiveness in increasing carrying capacity and optimizing hole cleaning during high-viscosity sweeps.
Beyond technical performance, these bio-additives offer substantial operational and economic advantages. They are locally available, inexpensive, and derived from agricultural waste, thus supporting circular economy principles. Their use reduces reliance on costly imported chemicals, minimizes environmental impact, and aligns with sustainability goals in upstream operations. Moreover, adopting such biodegradable solutions could facilitate drilling in environmentally sensitive areas, extend the viability of mature fields, and enhance stakeholder acceptance of exploration activities.
This work underscores the feasibility and benefits of integrating biodegradable, food waste-derived materials into drilling fluid systems as part of a broader strategy for sustainable petroleum engineering practices.
