An Experimental Investigation on Use of Nanoparticles as Fluid Loss Additives in a Surfactant - Polymer Based Drilling Fluids

Abstract

As we approach an age of deeper discoveries in hostile environments, we need to either improve on existing drilling fluids or design new ones in order to meet the technological demands for success. The filtrate invasion is the most critical parameter that may cause a wellbore failure if not properly controlled. Also, the filtrate induced formation damage and problems with filter cake removal adversely affect the well productivity or injectivity.The literature survey reveals the advantages of polymer, surfactant and Nanoparticles systems independently and also combination of two of these. A study is necessary to see the effect and advantages of combining all three systems together i.e. a Polymer-Surfactant-Nanoparticles system and to measure the rheological and fluid loss characteristics of the complex combined drilling fluid system. An attempt to study the same has been made in paper. Therefore, in this paper the authors present the results of testing the rheological properties and the API filtrate loss of a Bio-Polymer and Surfactant blend system with addition of Nanoparticles and compare the fluid loss reduction by using Nanoparticles as fluid loss additive with an industry standard polymer-based fluid loss additiveThe objective of this research was to study the effectiveness of a Bio Polymer -Surfactant fluid blends, containing Nanoparticles as fluid loss additives in reducing the filtrate losses to the formation by forming a thin, non-erodible filter cake.Laboratory experiments were carried out for the different combination of polymer and surfactant with varying concentrations to find the optimum of fluid performance. The laboratory measurements included measuring mud weight, pH, viscosity, gel strength, standard API filter test and High Temperature High Pressure (HTHP) test using Permeability Plugging Apparatus.Presented results show that sized silica nanoparticles can be used instead of sized calcium carbonates which are a very effective inorganic bridging agent, however, difficult to maintain. The polymer -surfactant blend is better in rheological properties as well fluid loss properties than a Bio-Polymer based fluid or Surfactant based fluid. It captures the merits of both fluid systems. The nanoparticles play an important role in reducing the fluid loss of the individual fluid systems. Also, the nanoparticles based Polymer-Surfactant blend is a good solution for solids free reservoir drill in fluids for horizontal shale drilling applications. The nanoparticles is most effective for shale drilling application as it can penetrate the pores of the shale and act as a bridging material and causing wellbore strengthening.

Influence of Graphene Nanoplatelet and Silver Nanoparticle on the Rheological Properties of Water-Based Mud †

“…This might be attributed to the nanoparticle high surface to volume ratio. In designing a mud formulation, it is of great importance in making sure the mud filter cake developed from the drilling mud is thin, smooth and impermeable to prevent a drill bit sticking problem and formation damage while drilling [29,30]. …”

Nano-Based Drilling Fluids: A Review

“…Srivatsa et al [55] investigated the effectiveness of a bio polymer-surfactant fluid blend, containing nanoparticles as fluid loss additives in reducing the filtrate losses to the formation by forming a thin, non-erodible filter cake. The authors presented the results of testing the rheological properties and the API filtrate loss and compared the fluid loss reduction by using nanoparticles as fluid loss additive with an industry standard polymer-based fluid loss additive.…”

Nanoparticle-Based Drilling Fluids for Minimizing Formation Damage in HP/HT Applications

“…Small particle size results in a high surface area-to-volume ratio, which leads to changes in interatomic spacing and gives superior functions (Lu et al 2007;Behari 2010). Different types of NPs have been tested for enhancing and controlling the rheology of drilling fluids (Agarwal et al 2011;Amanullah et al 2011;Abdo and Haneef 2013;Ismail et al 2014), and for fluid loss mitigation (Javeri et al 2011;Cai et al 2012;Manea 2012;Srivatsa and Ziaja 2012;Zakaria et al 2012;Contreras et al 2014). A brief overview of the application of nanotechnology in drilling fluids has also been provided in the literature (Friedheim et al 2012;Hoelscher et al 2013).…”