Effect of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on the Properties of Water-Based Drilling Fluids

Abstract

In recent years, several studies have indicated the impact of nanoparticles (NPs) on various properties (such as viscosity and fluid loss) of conventional drilling fluids. Our previous study with commercial iron oxide NPs indicated the potential of using NPs to improve the properties of a laboratory bentonite-based drilling fluid without barite. In the present work, iron oxide NPs have been synthesized using the co-precipitation method. The effect of these hydrophilic NPs has been evaluated in bentonite and KCl-based drilling fluids. Rheological properties at different temperatures, viscoelastic properties, lubricity, and filtrate loss were measured to study the effect of NPs on the base fluid. Also, elemental analysis of the filtrate and microscale analysis of the filter cake was performed. Results for bentonite-based fluid showed that 0.019 wt% (0.1 g) of NPs reduced the coefficient of friction by 47%, and 0.0095 wt% (0.05 g) of NPs reduced the fluid loss by 20%. Moreover, for KCl-based fluids, 0.019 wt% (0.1 g) of additive reduced the coefficient of friction by 45%, while higher concentration of 0.038 wt% (0.2 g) of NPs shows 14% reduction in the filtrate loss. Microscale analysis shows that presence of NPs in the cake structure produces a more compact and less porous structure. This study indicates that very small concentration of NPs can provide better performance for the drilling fluids. Additionally, results from this work indicate the ability of NPs to fine-tune the properties of drilling fluids.

Impact of Various Nanoparticles on the Viscous Properties of Water Based Drilling Fluids

“…Terms Si, Si-C, and Si-N are used for silica, surface modified and NYACOL NPs, respectively thought the text. Synthesis and coating of iron oxide NPs with XG was done based on our previous work [18]. Terms Fe NPs and Fe-XG NPs are used for iron oxide and iron oxide coated with XG throughout the text.…”

Evaluation the performance of conventional water-based mud characteristics by applying Zinc Oxide and Silica Dioxide Nanoparticles materials for a selected well in The Kurdistan/ Iraq

“…The point of interception with the shear stress is known as the yield point and it is the minimum stress required to initiate flow. Yield point should be more than zero [9]. The Bingham plastic model equation is given by:…”

“…According to William, Jay Karen Maria, et al (2014),adding small quantities of zinc oxide and copper oxide nano particles to the drilling mud enhanced the viscosity, thermal conductivity of the drilling mud [8]. In addition, a research performed by Mahmoud, Omar, et al (2017)showed that ferric oxide nanoparticles improved filtration and filter cake properties and make the mud cake less porous [9]. In 2016, Needaa, AL-Malki et al found that the sepiolite nano sized particles would reduce the filtration volume and minimize the mud cake thickness under HPHT conditions [10].…”

Sodium alginate as an eco-friendly rheology modifier and salt-tolerant fluid loss additive in water-based drilling fluids

“…To circumvent these challenges, academics and petroleum practitioners have attempted to develop different additives, including microparticles, synthetic polymers, and their hybrid nanocomposites. [13][14][15] Among these additives, synthetic polymers have gained more attention owing to their targeted properties via chemical modication of functional groups, as well as the regulatable molecular weight. 16 Recently, a large variety of synthetic polymers have been successfully applied in drilling uid systems such as acrylamide-based polymers, [17][18][19] polyacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol 20,21 and functionalized cellulose nanoparticles.…”