STC s.a.l

Bentonite rehabilitation and Operation project

Bentonite rehabilitation and Operation project

In December 2019, State Company for Mining Industries, which falls under the Ministry of Industry and Minerals awarded the tender to STC sal the Bentonite Plant located in Falluja Iraq. The contract involves rehabilitating; activating and management of the bentonite production plant for a 20 years duration. The parties signed the contract in early 2020 with the option to renew upon mutual agreement. The rehabilitation of the plant is currently underway and nearing completion. It is expected that production will commence in Q2 of 2023. The plant will benefit from the nearby bentonite quarry and available reserves of raw material, which are located approximately 400 km from the plant, enabling it to meet local demand.

The plant is the only one of its kind in Iraq and the Middle East capable of satisfying the local demand as well as export to neighboring countries. Samples of the bentonite produced by the plant using local quarrying have already been tested and approved by the Ministry of Oil and National Oil Companies. The quality and specifications of the manufactured Bentonite (API) exceed the minimal requirements in conformity with international standards, which is supported by the Iraqi Petroleum RandD Center.

In addition to bentonite, the factory produces calcium carbonate and barite. The licensing for barite production is currently being negotiated and will be added as an addendum to the present concession at a different facility in Basra.

 

The Minister of Industry oversees the trial operation of the bentonite activation plant in Anbar Governorate. 

WHAT IS BENTONITE?


Bentonite is a key component of oil drilling and is widely used in drilling operations due to its unique qualities. In Iraq, the consumption of Bentonite is entirely imported.

Bentonite is primarily used in Oil and Gas well drilling fluids as a basic constituent of the flush fluid. It plays a crucial role in drilling mud by lubricating and cooling the cutting tools, while simultaneously protecting them from rusting. The drilling fluid also helps to prevent caving of the borehole by exerting a hydrostatic pressure against its walls.

The Bentonite production plant in Fallujah, Anbar province, Karma district, Kayfiya area, which covers an area of approximately 80,000 m2, has a design capacity of 75,000 MT annually. The plant is equipped with four complete production lines and various buildings, including a reception building, lab and quality building, weighing control building, guard house building, and weighing balance ramp.

The use of Bentonite in drilling operations provides several advantages, including cooling and lubrication of the drill bit, stabilization of the borehole, cleaning and maintenance of the borehole, development of good suspension at lower dosage, control of loss of drilling fluid by depositing low-permeability filter cake on the walls of the well, carrying drill cuttings to the surface and retaining them, and borehole scavenging for saltwater and sweet water.

  • Bentonite rehabilitation and Operation project
  • Bentonite rehabilitation and Operation project
  • Bentonite rehabilitation and Operation project
  • Bentonite rehabilitation and Operation project
  • Bentonite rehabilitation and Operation project
  • Bentonite rehabilitation and Operation project