Toward Improvement of Water-Based Drilling Mud via Zirconia Nanoparticle/API Bentonite Material

Abstract

Enhanced rheological and mud-filtrate loss characteristics of drilling muds are key to a successful drilling operation. Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2)/clay material (ZCNC) was synthesized using ultrasonication and characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Moreover, the zeta potential of pristine zirconia and ZCNC was evaluated in distilled water to examine the stability of the colloidal material. Zeta potential measurements revealed that adding ZCNC to conventional water-based mud (WBM) exhibited a zeta potential similar to bentonite with very minute changes. Moreover, SEM revealed that zirconia nanoparticles formed a uniform layer on the bentonite surface. For the WBM, rheology and American Petroleum Institute (API) mud-filtrate loss are generally controlled using polymers, and these properties could also be improved by adding a minute concentration of synthesized ZCNC. Incorporating nanoparticles into the bentonite layer might augment the colloidal behavior of drilling mud and improve the rheological properties. The yield point was enhanced after adding 0.3 wt % of ZCNC. The gel strength improved by 60% after adding 0.6 wt % of ZCNC to a conventional WBM. A gradual increase in the ZCNC concentration to 0.6 wt % reduced the API mud-filtrate loss volume and minimized the mud-cake thickness. These characteristics could be attributed to coating bentonite layers with zirconia nanoparticles and plugging interparticle pore spaces in the mud system.

A Comprehensive Review of Nanotechnology Applications in Oil and Gas Well Drilling Operations

“…A coating placed to the inside surfaces of subsea oil pipelines may have embedded SPM-NPs, an idea that Mohanty et al, 2022 [131], investigated because of the possibility A relatively new membrane process typically removes multivalent cations and submicronsize natural organic matter [126]. Ceramic NF membranes are becoming more common because of their high chemical, mechanical, and thermal stability.…”

“…A coating placed to the inside surfaces of subsea oil pipelines may have embedded SPM-NPs, an idea that Mohanty et al, 2022 [131], investigated because of the possibility of highly localized and energy-efficient hyperthermia heating. An oscillating magnetic field can be used to create a thin, heated layer of wax (or asphaltene, hydrate) at the interface of the "nano-paint" with the inner pipe surface.…”

Nano-Grafted Acrylamide Copolymer as an Anti-Temperature and Anti-Calcium Fluid Loss Agent for Water-Based Drilling Fluids

“…32−35 The use of nanoparticles in drilling fluids is crucial for enhancing the fluid's rheological and thermal transmission characteristics, preserving wellbore stability, and safeguarding oil and gas reserves. 27,36,37 Moreover, nanoparticles are appropriate for the creation of WBDFs with fluid loss agents because of their outstanding adsorption characteristics on amphiphilic polymers. 38,39 Fe 3 O 4 −CMC nanocomposites were studied by Kamali et al to see how they affected the filtration and rheological characteristics of WBDFs.…”

“…A new class of materials with distinctive optical, electrical, and mechanical characteristics are called nanomaterials (1–100 nm). Nanomaterials have been researched for use in well drilling and completion, improved recovery, etc. − The use of nanoparticles in drilling fluids is crucial for enhancing the fluid’s rheological and thermal transmission characteristics, preserving wellbore stability, and safeguarding oil and gas reserves. ,, Moreover, nanoparticles are appropriate for the creation of WBDFs with fluid loss agents because of their outstanding adsorption characteristics on amphiphilic polymers. , Fe 3 O 4 –CMC nanocomposites were studied by Kamali et al to see how they affected the filtration and rheological characteristics of WBDFs . It was found that Fe 3 O 4 –CMC nanocomposites have superior performance such as a simple synthesis method and are economical compared to CMC.…”