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18
Sample Data
Graph 3
Graph No. 3 shows interesting micro views of the behavior of the different
fluids up to 30 minutes into the test.
All fluids show a positive slope confirming an immediate interaction between
the clay and the fluid bases.
The potassium acetate fluid initially showed the highest rate of expansion
of the shale and this state continued up to around 28 minutes where the
potassium acetate began acting as a better shale stabilizer base than the
fresh water.
During the 15 to 20 minute time period ALL of the samples exhibited
increased hydration as exhibited by the sudden increase in the slope of all of
the curves.
