Environmentally Friendly Shale Inhibitor Water-Based Drilling Fluids

Abstract

Environmentally friendly Mobil crystalline materials (MCM-41) from the family of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs) has been used for the first time as shale inhibitors in water-Based Drilling Fluids with full drilling fluid compositions. This shale inhibitor used in this study to eliminate the use of toxic high potassium chloride (KCl) concentration in shale drilling operations and reduce the waste management associated cost with drilling fluid treatment and disposal. The hot rolling dispersion test of MCM41 shale inhibitor with Silurian shale samples revealed to be an effective candidate with significant interaction reduction between the drilling fluids and the shale particles. This new shale inhibitor maintains the integrity of the cuttings and minimize the interaction of fluids with shale sections during the rolling test. XRD, TEM and TGA have measured and discussed in previous publication. Although the application of nanoparticles to improve the performance of conventional water-based drilling fluid was studied by researchers, it is the novelty of this research to eliminate use of KCl and to develop the new generation of shale water-based drilling fluid with economical consideration and lower environmental impact.