Rheological and filtration properties of drilling fluid contribute a vital role in successful drilling operations. Rheological parameters such as apparent viscosity (AV), plastic viscosity (PV), yield point (YP) and gel strength of drilling fluids are very essential for hydraulic calculations and lifting of drill cuttings during the drilling operation. Control of filtration loss volume is also very important for cost effective and successful drilling operations. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to improve the rheological and filtration properties of Grewia Optiva fibre powder (GOFP) by using 30–50 nm size of silica nano particles (SNP) in water-based drilling fluid. The experimental outcomes revealed that after hot rolling of mud samples at 100 °C for 16 h, the low pressure-low temperature (LPLT) and high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) filtration loss of GOFP additives was improved, after the addition of SNP on it. The mixture of 5% GOFP + 4% SNP has reduced the LPLT and HPHT filtration loss of drilling fluid by 74.03 and 78.12%, respectively, as compared to base mud. Thus, it was concluded that after the addition of 0.4% SNP, the LPLT and HPHT filtration control ability of GOFP additive in WBM were increased by 17.6 and 15%, respectively. The rheological parameters such as AV, PV, YP and gelation of drilling fluids were also improved by the addition of GOFP + SNP mixture in the base mud. Therefore, the implementation of GOFP + SNP mixture in water-based mud showed auspicious results which reaffirm the feasibility of using them in the successful drilling operations.

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This work investigates the efficacy of a biodegradable natural product, litchi leaves powder (LLP) as a filtration loss control agent in the water-based drilling fluid formulations. In order to evaluate the potential of litchi leaves powder (LLP), a strict protocol of experimentations according to API (American Petroleum Institute) standard has been followed. The experimental outcome showed that before hot rolling and after hot rolling of mud samples at 100 °C it was observed that 3–5% Concentration of LLP significantly increased the rheological parameters such as PV, YP and gelation of drilling fluid as compared to reference mud. Also, LLP reformed the filtration loss control characterization, suggesting a better biodegradable fluid loss reducing agent. After hot rolling at 100 °C for 18 h, the water-based drilling fluid with LLP as an additive showed a marked reduction in filtration control property as compared to reference Mud (RM). Experimental results concluded that 5% concentration of LLP significantly reduced the filtration loss of drilling fluid by 70.6% as compared to reference mud under the influence of 100 psi pressure. However, the conventional fluid loss additive CMC (LVG) reduced the filtration loss by maximum 67.5% as compared to reference mud. Therefore, LLP can be used as an alternative to CMC (LVG) in water-based drilling fluid with a maximum subsurface temperature of 100 °C.

The present work is an attempt to carry on analytical work on a biodegradable cellulosic material obtained from the fibre of a plant which is scientifically known as Grewia Optiva. In this study, 125 µm particle size of Grewia optiva fibres was used as a filtration loss controlling agent in drilling fluid. The Grewia Optiva mud samples were hot rolled at 100 °C for 16 h and it was observed that the said fibre at 5% concentration (w/v) has reduced the low pressure-low temperature (LPLT) filtration loss of drilling mud by 72.5% under the differential pressure of 100 psi. On further assessment vis a vis comparative analysis with available market products like carboxy methyl cellulose-low viscosity grade (CMC-LVG) and polyanionic cellulose-low viscosity grade (PAC-LVG), it was found that addition of CMC and PAC-dLVG at 1.4% (w/v) in reference mud, the LPLT filtration loss was reduced by 70% and 70.6%, respectively. Use of 5% GOFP in the reference mud, the high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) filtration loss of drilling fluids was reduced by 69.2% at 100 °C temperature and 500 psi pressure. The thickness of filter cake was reduced by 41.1% after the addition of 5% GOFP in the reference mud. While the conventional fluid loss reducing agents such as CMC and PAC, both at 1.4% concentration have reduced the HPHT filtration loss by 63.46% and 64.6%, respectively, as compared to reference mud. This is indicative of a valid filtration loss control potential of Grewia optiva fibre powder.