International Journal of Advanced Academic Research | Sciences, Technology & Engineering | ISSN: 2488-9849 Vol. 3, Issue 9 (September 2017) Worldwide Knowledge Sharing Platform | www.ijaar.org Page 16 DRILLING FLUIDS: PROPERTIES AND TREATMENT OF SOME NIGERIAN CLAYS 1 Akpoturi, P.E.; 2 Idudje E. Henry & 3 Okologume, C.W. 1,2 Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria. ABSTRACT Clay samples from ten towns in seven local government areas of Rivers and Bayelsa States, namely, Oboburu and Omoku (ALGA), Kono (BOLGA), Bakana (DELGA), Ndele (KELGA), Borokiri (PHALGA), Akaranbiri (SALGA), Agidama, Igbainwari and Sabagrei (YELGA), were collected and analysed for their mineraology and rheology in the laboratory. In their native states, these samples were not suitable for the preparation for drilling mud, since their properties fell below the API (American Petroleum Institute) specifications. From the results of the x-ray diffraction analysis and the methylene blue test on the native clay, they were found to contain chiefly kaolinite group clays. However, the results were encouraging when the native clays were treated with mud additives like quicktrol, sodium hydroxide and sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC). Varying the amount of chemical additives, the best results were obtained when 2 grams quicktrol and 0.25 gram of sodium hydroxide were added. All rheological and wall-building properties after the treatment compared well with the standard Wyoming bentonite. Keywords: American Petroleum Institute (API), Bentonite; Rheological, Wyoming; Quik- Trol; Mineralogy, Mud Density.