The Effect of Nano Drilling Fluids on Reduction of Clay Swelling

Abstract

Shales make up about three fourths of drilled formation and over 90% of the wellbore instability problems that occur in shales. Even though shale stability has been studied for several decades, it still a serious problem in not only the petroleum industry but also in the mining and construction industries. Before any measures are taken to address this problem, it is crucial that potentially problematic formations and the mechanisms of wellbore instability be identified. Once the mechanisms are understood, well planning, drilling fluid design, and drilling operation strategies can be implemented to ensure wellbore stability. Due to the unique mechanical and physicochemical properties of shales, it is well-recognized that wellbore instability in shales is a complicated problem.Shale cuttings consisting of different montmorillonite content were collected from four different wells in Sinai. They were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) using Methylene Blue (MB), hence classified into shale 1, 2 ,3 and 4. Swelling index of the shale measured using compressed disks of shale in contact with OCMA bentonite for 20 hrs using the Linear Swell Meter (LSM). Nanoparticles in terms of CuO, Graphene nanoplatelets and SiO 2 used as an inhibitor of swelling of shale cuttings. The inhibitors are added to OCMA bentonite as well.Swelling of the shale directly related to montmorillonite content, more montmorillonite means more swelling in contact with OCMA bentonite.The inhibition of swelling of these shale cuttings using KCl achieved a decrease in swelling that ranged from 15% at 7% (shale 1), 14% at 6% (shale 2), 14% at 4% (shale 3) and 17% at 9% (shale 4).with estimates over $1 billion in annual cost to the industry. Preventing shale instability is a high priority to every phase of the drilling fluids industry, from research and development efforts to field implementation by the mud engineers. New technol-