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

Abstract

Nanomaterials have gained a wide interest in the oil and gas industry due to its immense applicability. Nanomaterial is being used for formulating a new generation of drilling mud which is known as Nano- mud. Where it has the ability to improve mud properties and eliminate bore hole problems. Using nanoparticles as an additive agent in conventional drilling mud can lead to a more efficient drilling process in troublesome formations. In this experimental study, several conventional water-based muds from a selected well drilled in the Kurdistan / Iraq oil field have been prepared. Then nano-drilling muds were formulated by dispersing SiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles in concentrations ranging from (0.25 to 1 wt.%) to conventional water-based mud (WBM). The objective of this experimental study is evaluating and comparing the performance of conventional water-based muds after adding SiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles. This comparison was performed by carrying out a series of laboratory experiments to determine the rheological and mud filtrate properties. The results demonstrated that adding SiO2 and ZnO NPs to conventional water-based mud improved the rheological behavior and provided better filtration control compared to conventional drilling muds. However, there was little or no impact of nanomaterials on the mud density for all mud systems.