Fate of Emulsifier in Invert Emulsion Drilling Fluids: Hydrolysis and Adsorption on Solids

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitri Khramov ◽  
Evgeny Barmatov

Abstract Emulsifier concentration in SBM is an important factor of drilling fluid stability. Proper concentration of amidoamine emulsifier is imperative for controlling low fluid loss and maintaining emulsion stability. This study investigates the physical and chemical interactions between emulsifier and other additives and describes the processes by which emulsifier is depleted from the drilling fluid. Three main pathways of emulsifier consumption are identified: emulsifier adsorption on solids found in drilling fluids and low gravity solids (LGS), chemical degradation, and to stabilize the invert emulsion. Design of experiments model and analytical procedure based on 1H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy was used to quantify the required emulsifier concentration in Non-Aqueous Fluid system (NAF). Additionally, model systems were used to estimate the excess of emulsifier, evaluate the emulsifier losses due to alkaline hydrolysis at elevated temperature, and measure adsorption of emulsifier on barite and various LGS types. Calculations for emulsifier depletion based on model systems were correlated to performance of formulated drilling fluids for verification. Typical emulsifier requirement in high performance NAF is 8-12 pounds per barrel (ppb). Majority of the emulsifier is adsorbed on weighting agents (barite) and rheology modifiers (clays), which are used to formulate NAF, that contribute to their effective dispersion in the solution and control fluid rheology. The adsorption process is found to be sensitive to the emulsifier concentration, solids mineralogy, wetting agent and temperature. Analytical Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm was used to describe adsorption data and estimate the adsorption capacity of the system. The emulsifier degradation pathway is another important factor of emulsifier consumption; however, emulsifier degradation at 250°F is not significant. While NAF are generally run ‘rich’ to mitigate depletion and maintain fluid stability, adsorption onto minerals will become an issue especially at high LGS concentration. These results will be greatly beneficial in the further development of NAF drilling fluid formulations and will assist field engineers in understanding the effect excess emulsifier will have on the drilling fluid and enable them to more effectively control the fluid properties under variations in emulsifier and LGS concentration during drilling.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikrant Wagle ◽  
Abdullah Yami ◽  
Michael Onoriode ◽  
Jacques Butcher ◽  
Nivika Gupta

Abstract The present paper describes the results of the formulation of an acid-soluble low ECD organoclay-free invert emulsion drilling fluid formulated with acid soluble manganese tetroxide and a specially designed bridging package. The paper also presents a short summary of field applications to date. The novel, non-damaging fluid has superior rheology resulting in lower ECD, excellent suspension properties for effective hole cleaning and barite-sag resistance while also reducing the risk of stuck pipe in high over balance applications. 95pcf high performance invert emulsion fluid (HPIEF) was formulated using an engineered bridging package comprising of acid-soluble bridging agents and an acid-soluble weighting agent viz. manganese tetroxide. The paper describes the filtration and rheological properties of the HPIEF after hot rolling at 300oF. Different tests such as contamination testing, sag-factor analysis, high temperature-high pressure rheology measurements and filter-cake breaking studies at 300oF were performed on the HPIEF. The 95pcf fluid was also subjected to particle plugging experiments to determine the invasion characteristics and the non-damaging nature of the fluids. The 95pcf HPIEF exhibited optimal filtration properties at high overbalance conditions. The low PV values and rheological profile support low ECDs while drilling. The static aging tests performed on the 95pcf HPIEF resulted in a sag factor of less than 0.53, qualifying the inherent stability for expected downhole conditions. The HPIEF demonstrated resilience to contamination testing with negligible change in properties. Filter-cake breaking experiments performed using a specially designed breaker fluid system gave high filter-cake breaking efficiency. Return permeability studies were performed with the HPIEF against synthetic core material, results of which confirmed the non-damaging design of the fluid. The paper thus demonstrates the superior performance of the HPIEF in achieving the desired lab and field performance.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xian-Bin Huang ◽  
Jin-Sheng Sun ◽  
Yi Huang ◽  
Bang-Chuan Yan ◽  
Xiao-Dong Dong ◽  
...  

Abstract High-performance water-based drilling fluids (HPWBFs) are essential to wellbore stability in shale gas exploration and development. Laponite is a synthetic hectorite clay composed of disk-shaped nanoparticles. This paper analyzed the application potential of laponite in HPWBFs by evaluating its shale inhibition, plugging and lubrication performances. Shale inhibition performance was studied by linear swelling test and shale recovery test. Plugging performance was analyzed by nitrogen adsorption experiment and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation. Extreme pressure lubricity test was used to evaluate the lubrication property. Experimental results show that laponite has good shale inhibition property, which is better than commonly used shale inhibitors, such as polyamine and KCl. Laponite can effectively plug shale pores. It considerably decreases the surface area and pore volume of shale, and SEM results show that it can reduce the porosity of shale and form a seamless nanofilm. Laponite is beneficial to increase lubricating property of drilling fluid by enhancing the drill pipes/wellbore interface smoothness and isolating the direct contact between wellbore and drill string. Besides, laponite can reduce the fluid loss volume. According to mechanism analysis, the good performance of laponite nanoparticles is mainly attributed to the disk-like nanostructure and the charged surfaces.


SPE Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (05) ◽  
pp. 1767-1781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Li ◽  
Xionghu Zhao ◽  
Yihui Ji ◽  
Hui Peng ◽  
Bin Chen ◽  
...  

Summary This paper presents an environmentally friendly, biodiesel-based invert-emulsion drilling fluid (BBDF). On the basis of the stable emulsion previously optimized (which was presented in Part 1), several necessary additives, including an organophilic clay (OC), a fluid-loss (FL) -control agent and a rheological modifier (RM), were developed or selected to formulate the BBDF. Numerous laboratory tests of different properties were conducted to evaluate the properties of this drilling fluid. BBDF has a rheological behavior and filtration properties that meet the requirements of drilling operations. It exhibits good shale-inhibition ability, excellent lubricity, and tolerance to contaminants. Low toxicity and great biodegradability are the prominent advantages of this system. After evaluating the suitabilities of known rheological models for BBDF, a hydraulic simulation was carried out on the basis of the Herschel-Bulkley model. BBDF performs similarly to conventional oil-based drilling fluids (OBDFs) subject to deepwater drilling conditions. High performance and great environmental compliance make BBDF a promising option for marine or extended-reach drilling. In addition, novel OC produced from rectorite and nonionic surfactants was successfully introduced into this drilling fluid. This modified rectorite is expected to be a substitute for conventional organobentonite.


SPE Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (05) ◽  
pp. 1755-1766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Li ◽  
Xionghu Zhao ◽  
Yihui Ji ◽  
Hui Peng ◽  
Bin Chen ◽  
...  

Summary As a type of mono-alkyl ester, biodiesel exhibits great potential to serve as the base oil of drilling fluids substituting for conventional oil-based drilling fluids (OBDFs). This paper presents a series of laboratory investigations of water-in-biodiesel (invert) emulsion as the basis of a high-performance, environmentally friendly, and low-cost biodiesel-based drilling fluid (BBDF). Biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil was used to formulate a BBDF because of its high flashpoint, reliable storage stability, acceptable elastomeric material compatibility, nontoxicity, and excellent biodegradability. In light of the results of tests used to measure various properties, the biodiesel invert-emulsion chemistry, including the required hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB), optimal emulsifier, effects of different additives (organophilic clay, calcium chloride, and lime), as well as hydrolytic stability, was studied. A biodiesel invert emulsion that remains stable after hot rolling at 120°C for 16 hours can be prepared with correct combinations of additives, thereby offering a firm foundation for designing BBDFs. The novel emulsifier package developed in this work is introduced as an achievement in the comprehensive usage of waste cooking oil because its feedstock is identical to that of biodiesel. An initial economic analysis of the use of biodiesel for drilling is also presented. Details of the formulations and properties of BBDFs derived from this fundamental research are discussed in another paper (Part 2).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Santra ◽  
Hasmukh Patel ◽  
Sivaprakash Shanmugam

Abstract The rheological properties of drilling fluids are crucial parameters for efficient drilling operations. Invert emulsion drilling fluids are the industry's preferred choice when it comes to extreme conditions like deepwater or high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) drilling due to their inherent thermal stability and effectiveness against water sensitive formations. In addition, another highly desired property of such drilling fluids is minimal sensitivity of the fluid flow properties for a wide range of application temperatures, known as flat-rheology behavior. We have developed four novel and next generation chemical additives: (i) a high temperature stable emulsifier, (ii) a low-end rheology modifier, (iii) a viscosifier with covalently linked organic groups, and (iv) a fluid loss control additive. Molecular architectural designs and synthesis of all four chemicals were carried out in our laboratory and used in optimum quantities to build industry's next generation invert emulsion fluids at density ranges from 75 – 135pcf (10-18ppg) and application temperature range of 60-450°F. Rheological and other important drilling fluid properties were tested at different downhole pressures and temperatures using a standard API recommended HTHP apparatus. The results demonstrated extreme thermal stability all the way from 60-450°F with excellent fluid loss control and ultrathin filter cake. The novel covalently-linked organophilic viscosifier used herein has proven superior thermal stability compared to existing organo-clay based systems especially at temperatures above 350°F. Novel secondary emulsifier and low-end rheology modifier have demonstrated excellent emulsion stability at temperatures up to 450°F. It has been an industry challenge to obtain true flat rheological behavior under high pressure and temperature using commercially available chemistries. However, very interestingly, fluids optimized in this work have exhibited excellent flat-rheological behavior for a wide range of temperatures. We will present a comparative analysis of the relationship between molecular structure and properties perspective of what is currently used in the industry versus those developed in this work. The current work has led to development of four novel chemical additives which are responsible for the industry's next generation high performance invert emulsion drilling fluids with flat-rheological behavior.


1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (04) ◽  
pp. 403-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.K. Sinha ◽  
Harvey T. Kennedy

Abstract Recommendations are made for obtaining consistent and reproducible test data on drilling fluids having identical composition. Previously, such a procedure has been difficult to accomplish even when the fluids were mixed in similar equipment. A survey of work in this area indicates that previous methods have been unsatisfactory because previous methods have been unsatisfactory because (1) the muds are extremely sensitive to the duration and violence of agitation during a normal mixing routine, and (2) gelling of the muds occurs before the properties can reach constant values. This gelling is caused by water evaporation resulting from the increase in temperature associated with the agitation. The work shows that these problems largely can be overcome by (1) agitating the constituents of the drilling fluid more vigorously, (2) maintaining a fairly constant temperature, and(3) Protecting the fluid from evaporation. When these steps are followed, the fluid properties approach asymptotic values that do not change by prolonged or accelerated agitation or by aging for a month. The time required to reach asymptotic values or a stabilized state is from 2 to 6 hours and is a function of the mud composition. Introduction Preparation of drilling fluids in the laboratory to determine their suitability to meet specific drilling requirements or to serve as a base fluid to evaluate the effectiveness of thinners, dispersants or other additives normally begins with combining measured quantities of the constituents and stirring them for a short time in a low-speed mixer. This is done to obtain a uniform mixture and to hydrate clays. Then the fluid is further agitated in a higher-speed device (Hamilton Beach mixer or Waring blender) to disperse more thoroughly and clay particles The biggest obstacle in the laboratory investigation of drilling fluids has been the lack of a method of producing a mixture by which reproducible results of the measured properties could be obtained. Numerous investigators have encountered this difficulty. Prior to 1929, density was the only property of mud that customarily was measured. The use of Wyoming bentonite on a large scale after 1929 was mainly responsible for the development of more elaborate testing procedures and for the application of the principles of colloid chemistry to the drilling fluids. Ambrose and Loomis in 1931 were among the first to recognize the plastic flow characteristics of drilling fluids, although Bingham in 1916 had observed The same phenomenon with dilute clay suspensions. Marsh introduced the Marsh funnel for field testing in 1931. By this time, non-Newtonian characteristics of drilling fluids were established. The Stormer and MacMichael viscometers were used to study the rheological properties of the fluids. In the 1930's and early 1940's, the work conducted by several investigators contributed toward a better understanding of drilling fluids. In the mid 1930's, fluid-loss and the associated mud-cake-forming properties of drilling fluids were recognized as important to the behavior of these fluids. The other properties of drilling fluids, including gel strength, pH, and sand content soon were recognized. In 1937, API published its first recommended procedure for test methods. Since that time, these procedures have been revised periodically. The latest edition, RP-13B, was published in 1961 However, in spite of the recognized need for a method of mixing that provides drilling fluids with stabilized properties, no such method previously has been described. SPEJ P. 403


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ζήσης Βρύζας

Η γεώτρηση αποτελεί την πλέον δαπανηρή εργασία σε μια καμπάνια εξεύρεσης και παραγωγής υδρογονανθράκων. Πέραν αυτού συνιστά και την μοναδική διεργασία που δίνει τη δυνατότητα ακριβούς προσδιορισμού των αποθεμάτων στο υπέδαφος. Ο πολφός (γεωτρητικά ρευστά) είναι το ‘αίμα’ της γεώτρησης: παρέχει πίεση, μεταφορά τριμμάτων/θραυσμάτων από τον πυθμένα του φρέατος, ψύξη και λίπανση κοπτικού και στήλης, καθώς επίσης διατηρεί τα θραύσματα εν αιωρήσει όταν υπάρχει διακοπή της κυκλοφορίας. Ως ρευστό γεώτρησης (drilling fluid) χρησιμοποιείται συνήθως ένα αιώρημα πηλού και άλλων υλικών σε νερό. Τα ρευστά διάτρησης με βάση το νερό αποτελούνται από α) νερό, το οποίο αποτελεί την συνεχή φάση και παρέχει το αρχικό ιξώδες (φρέσκο ή θαλασσινό), β) ενεργά στερεά για την ενίσχυση του ιξώδους και του σημείου διαρροής (μπεντονίτης, που συνιστάται στην περίπτωση του φρέσκου νερού και ατταπουλγίτης, αμίαντος ή σιπιόλιθος, που συνιστώνται στην περίπτωση του θαλασσινού νερού), και γ) αδρανή στερεά για την επίτευξη της απαιτούμενης πυκνότητας (βαρύτης, θειούχος μόλυβδος, σιδηρομεταλλεύματα ή χαλαζιακά υλικά).Τα γεωτρητικά ρευστά αποτελούν το 10-20% του συνολικού κόστους κατά την διάρκεια μιας γεώτρησης. Ποσοστό πολύ υψηλό όταν μιλάμε για επενδύσεις εκκατομυρίων δολλαρίων. Λόγω των ολοένα πιο βαθιών αλλά και περίπλοκων γεωλογικών σχηματισμών υπάρχει τεράστια ανάγκη από την πετρελαική βιομηχανία για καινούργια και περισσότερο αποδοτικά γεωτρητικά ρευστά τα οποία θα μπορούν να ανταπεξέλθουν στα ολοένα και πιο απαιτητικά περβάλλοντα θερμοκρασίας και πίεσης. Τα σημαντικότερα ζητήματα τα οποία καλούνται να ανταποκριθούν τα ρευστά είναι οι ολοένα αυξανόμενες συνθήκες πίεσης και θερμοκρασίας στο υπέδαφος που είναι απόροια της αναζήτησης υδρογονανθράκων σε πλέον δύσβατες περιοχές με μεγαλύτερα βάθη που αυξάνουν τους κινδύνους και το κόστος για μια γεώτρηση. Η απώλεια ρευστού κυκλοφορίας (fluid loss) είναι ένα από τα σημαντικότερα και πλέον δαπανηρά προβλήματα κατά την διαδικασία μιας γεώτρησης. Ως απώλεια ρευστού κυκλοφορίας ορίζεται η συνολική ή μερική απώλεια των ρευστών της γεώτρησης σε εξαιρετικά διαπερατές ζώνες (porous sands), σε σπηλαιώδεις σχηματισμούς (cavernous zones), σε φυσικές ρηγματώσεις (natural fractures) και σε ρηγματώσεις προκαλούμενες κατά τη διάτρηση (induced fractures). Τα τελευταία χρόνια έχουν γίνει αρκετές προσπάθειες για την βελτίωση των γεωτρητικών ρευστών με την χρήση νανοσωματιδίων, τα οποία έχουν τη δυνατότητα να βελτιώσουν τις ιδιότητες των γεωτρητικών ρευστών όταν προστίθενται ακόμα και σε χαμηλές συγκεντρώσεις (<1 wt%). Οι μοναδικές τους ιδιότητες σχετίζονται με το μικρό τους μέγεθος και επομένως τον εξαιρετικά μεγάλο λόγο επιφάνειας προς όγκο.Σε αυτή την εργασία, εξετάστηκαν διάφορα εμπορικά νανοσωματίδια (Fe2O3, Fe3O4, SiO2) καθώς επίσης συντέθηκαν, με την μέθοδο της συγκαταβύθισης, νανοσωματιδία μαγνητίτη (custom-made Fe3O4), με και χωρίς επικάλυψη κιτρικού οξέος, τα οποία ερευνήθηκαν ως προς την ικανότητα τους να βελτιώσουν τις ρεολογικές ιδιότητες και την απώλεια ρευστών σε αιωρήματα μπετονίτη. Προκειμένου να χαρακτηρισθούν φυσικοχημικά τα αιωρήματα υπέστησαν ξήρανση με κοκκοποίηση σε θερμοκρασία υγρού Ν2 και κρυοξήρανση. Η μορφολογία, η κρυσταλλική δομή και οι επιφανειακές ομάδες των ξηρών κόνεων εξετάσθηκαν με ηλεκτρονική μικροσκοπία HR-TΕM, περίθλαση ακτίνων Χ (XRD), φυσική ρόφηση Ν2 και φασματοσκοπία FTIR. Οι αλληλεπιδράσεις των σωματιδίων μπετονίτη με τα νανοσωματίδια και οι διάφορες δομές που δημιουργούνται και πως τελικά αυτές επηρεάζουν τις ρεολογικές ιδιότητες των αιωρημάτων εξετάστηκαν με το HR-TEM στους 25°C και 60°C. Με βάση τις εικόνες από το HR-TEM, ένα μοντέλο αλληλεπιδράσεων μεταξύ των διαφορετικών τύπων νανοσωματιδίων και σωματιδίων μπετονίτη δημιουργήθηκε για πρώτη φορά για τέτοια αιωρήματα. Οι ρεολογικές ιδιότητες των παραγόμενων δειγμάτων εξετάστηκαν και σε συνθήκες ατμοσφαιρικής πίεσης (μέχρι 70°C) με την χρήση περιστροφικού ιξωδόμετρου (Grace M3600-Couette type geometry) αλλά και σε συνθήκες υψηλής πίεσης και θερμοκρασίας (69 bar-121°C) (Chandler 7600 HPHT viscometer). Το μοντέλο Herschel-Bulkley χρησιμοποιήθηκε για να περιγράψει τη μεταβολή του ιξώδους με τη μεταβολή των ρεολογικών παραμέτρων δείχνοντας εξαιρετική εφαρμογή για τις διαφορετικές πειραματικές μετρήσεις με συντελεστές συσχέτισης (R2) >0.99 σε όλες τις περιπτώσεις. Οι ρεολογικές μετρήσεις έδειξαν ότι η προσθήκη των νανοσωματιδίων βελτιώνει σημαντικά τις ρεολογικές ιδιότητες των αιωρημάτων μπετονίτη στις διάφορες συνθήκες πίεσης και θερμοκρασίας. Οι απώλειες ρευστών (fluid loss) εξετάστηκαν με φιλτροπρέσες υψηλής πίεσης και θερμοκρασίας (20.7 bar και 121°C) οι οποίες υπολογίζουν τον ρυθμό διήθησης του πολφού μέσω του χρησιμοποιούμενου φίλτρου (κεραμικός δίσκος). Η μεγαλύτερη μείωση στην απώλεια ρευστών επιτεύχθηκε για το δείγμα που περιείχε 0.5 wt% custom-made Fe3O4 με μείωση -40% σε σχέση με το αρχικό δείγμα μπετονίτη που δείχνει την τεράστια ικανότητα των νανοσωματιδίων να βελτιώσουν σημαντικά τις απώλειες ρευστών ακόμα και σε τόσο μικρές συγκεντρώσεις. Τέλος, εξετάστηκε η ικανότητα των παραγόμενων ρευστών να αλλάζουν τις ρεολογικές τους ιδιότητες υπό την επίδραση διάφορων μαγνητικών πεδίων (μέχρι 0.7 Tesla). Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι τα καινούργια γεωτρητικά ρευστά έχουν την ικανότητα να αυξάνουν την τάση διολίσθησης (yield stress) έως και 300% σε σχέση με αυτή που μετρήθηκε χωρίς την εφαρμογή μαγνητικού πεδίου. Αυτό είναι κάτι πολύ σημαντικό που επιτρέπει την χρήση έξυπνων ρευστών (smart drilling fluids) τα οποία μπορούν να εξοικονομήσουν και χρόνο αλλά και κόστη κατά την διάρκεια μιας γεώτρησης.Τα νανοσωματίδια δείχνουν πολλές ελπιδοφόρες δυνατότητες σε εφαρμογές γεωτρήσεων αφού έχουν τη δυνατότητα να βελτιώσουν ή και να λύσουν το πρόβλημα της απώλειας ρευστών, όταν προστίθενται ακόμα και σε χαμηλές συγκεντρώσεις (>0.5 wt%), ενώ ταυτόχρονα βελτιστοποιούν τις ρεολογικές ιδιότητες των γεωτρητικών ρευστών. Η χρήση τους για την ανάπτυξη βελτιωμένων γεωτρητικών ρευστών υπόσχεται να αλλάξει την βιομηχανία των γεωτρήσεων και να την βοηθήσει να εξορυχθούν πολύπλοκοι γεωλογικοί σχηματισμοί πιο αποδοτικά αλλά και οικονομικά.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 4877
Author(s):  
Mobeen Murtaza ◽  
Sulaiman A. Alarifi ◽  
Muhammad Shahzad Kamal ◽  
Sagheer A. Onaizi ◽  
Mohammed Al-Ajmi ◽  
...  

Drilling issues such as shale hydration, high-temperature tolerance, torque and drag are often resolved by applying an appropriate drilling fluid formulation. Oil-based drilling fluid (OBDF) formulations are usually composed of emulsifiers, lime, brine, viscosifier, fluid loss controller and weighting agent. These additives sometimes outperform in extended exposure to high pressure high temperature (HPHT) conditions encountered in deep wells, resulting in weighting material segregation, high fluid loss, poor rheology and poor emulsion stability. In this study, two additives, oil wetter and rheology modifier were incorporated into the OBDF and their performance was investigated by conducting rheology, fluid loss, zeta potential and emulsion stability tests before and after hot rolling at 16 h and 32 h. Extending the hot rolling period beyond what is commonly used in this type of experiment is necessary to ensure the fluid’s stability. It was found that HPHT hot rolling affected the properties of drilling fluids by decreasing the rheology parameters and emulsion stability with the increase in the hot rolling time to 32 h. Also, the fluid loss additive’s performance degraded as rolling temperature and time increased. Adding oil wetter and rheology modifier additives resulted in a slight loss of rheological profile after 32 h and maintained flat rheology profile. The emulsion stability was slightly decreased and stayed close to the recommended value (400 V). The fluid loss was controlled by optimizing the concentration of fluid loss additive and oil wetter. The presence of oil wetter improved the carrying capacity of drilling fluids and prevented the barite sag problem. The zeta potential test confirmed that the oil wetter converted the surface of barite from water to oil and improved its dispersion in the oil.


Author(s):  
Erfan Veisi ◽  
Mastaneh Hajipour ◽  
Ebrahim Biniaz Delijani

Cooling the drill bit is one of the major functions of drilling fluids, especially in high temperature deep drilling operations. Designing stable drilling fluids with proper thermal properties is a great challenge. Identifying appropriate additives for the drilling fluid can mitigate drill-bit erosion or deformation caused by induced thermal stress. The unique advantages of nanoparticles may enhance thermal characteristics of drilling fluids. The impacts of nanoparticles on the specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, rheological, and filtration control characteristics of water‐based drilling fluids were experimentally investigated and compared in this study. Al2O3, CuO, and Cu nanoparticles were used to prepare the water-based drilling nanofluid samples with various concentrations, using the two-step method. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) were utilized to study the nanoparticle samples. The nanofluids stability and particle size distribution were, furthermore, examined using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The experimental results indicated that thermal and rheological characteristics are enhanced in the presence of nanoparticles. The best enhancement in drilling fluid heat capacity and thermal conductivity was obtained as 15.6% and 12%, respectively by adding 0.9 wt% Cu nanoparticles. Furthermore, significant improvement was observed in the rheological characteristics such as the apparent and plastic viscosities, yield point, and gel strength of the drilling nanofluids compared to the base drilling fluid. Addition of nanoparticles resulted in reduced fluid loss and formation damage. The permeability of filter cakes decreased with increasing the nanoparticles concentration, but no significant effect in filter cake thickness was observed. The results reveal that the application of nanoparticles may reduce drill-bit replacement costs by improving the thermal and drilling fluid rheological characteristics and decrease the formation damage due to mud filtrate invasion.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document