Impact of Nanomaterials on the Rheological and Filtration Properties of Water-Based Drilling Fluids

Abstract

Nanomaterials are the new additives for drilling fluids that can improve its properties and eliminate problems due to increased downtime and well costs. The objective of this research is to select the optimum concentration of nanoparticles that enhance drilling fluid properties and hydraulics. This study investigates the effects of commercially available nanoparticles on the rheological and filtration properties and optimizes the hydraulics of water-based drilling fluids. In this study, the samples were prepared as water-based muds with and without various concentrations of 5.7 nm colloidal silica dioxide nanoparticles. Series of laboratory experiments were carried out for all samples using standard API Low Pressure Low Temperature (LPLT) filtration and rheological tests. Two mud systems at different pH conditions were used to evaluate the impact of nanoparticles. A commercial software was used to evaluate the impact of the nanoparticles on the Equivalent Circulation Density (ECD) and the circulation pressure loss in a deviated wellbore. Results show enhancements in the rheological and filtration properties for water-based muds treated by the nanoparticles used in this study with concentrations below 0.7% by weight. Furthermore, the results show the ability of these nanoparticles to make the filter cake consistent, compacted, and thin. The results reflect the negative impact of the nanoparticles with concentrations above 0.7% by weight on some of the rheological properties. The optimum nanomaterial concentrations with the best properties were observed as (0.1%-0.3%) by weight. Furthermore, the concentration of 0.1% by weight reflected the significant reduction in the ECD and the circulating pressure loss. Nanoparticles used in this research can play a vital role in reducing drilling problems. Multilateral wells, slim holes and deep horizontal wells can be drilled by using water-based mud with the addition of proper nanoparticles and eliminating the need for oil-based muds that are expensive and environmentally unacceptable. However, it is critical to select the proper size and concentration of nanoparticles in order to eliminate its negative impact on the drilling fluid properties.

Nano-Based Drilling Fluids: A Review

“…They performed also a cost analysis that showed the economic feasibility of the use of such new fluid. Salih et al [25] stated that use of nanosilica NP in the range of 0.1-0.3 wt % had the most significant impact on the mud properties than any other concentration they have tested (>0.5 wt %). Furthermore they claimed that smart water-based muds with nanosilica can replace oil-based mud in horizontal, directional, and shale drilling operations due to the ability of the newly formed fluid to reduce drilling and production problems.…”

“…The NWBM based on CuO nanofluids were found to show improved thermal properties and were more resistant to HP/HT conditions than the ZnO-based NWBM. High pressure and high temperature rheological studies were conducted on NWBM at varying temperatures (25,70,90 and 110 • C) and pressures (0.1 MPa and 10 MPa). The effect of pressure on the rheology of NWBM was found to be more significant at higher temperatures.…”

Nanoparticle-based drilling fluids as promising solutions to enhance drilling performance in Egyptian oil and gas fields

“…The work in [25] and [26] examined the use anionic NPs (nanosilica, nanotitanium and nanoaluminium). They revealed the ability of nanosilica in a concentration of 0.1 wt.% or less to improve the rheological properties and hydraulics and reduce the filtration volume and mud cake thickness.…”

Applications of nanotechnology in oil and gas industry: Progress and perspective

“…By using commercially available silicon dioxide particles, Salih et al observed enhanced rheological and filtration properties for water based drilling muds. [32] Amanullah et al developed a nanomaterial based drilling mud with tunable rheological properties, which can be applied during and after cessation of drilling. [33] Cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs), including microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), were shown to enhance the filtration and rheological performances of bentonite water-based drilling fluids.…”