Application of smart nano-WBM material for filtrate loss recovery in wellbores with tight spots problem: an empirical study

Abstract

There is no deep understanding of the application of nanoparticles in water-based muds (WBM). Therefore, such study that helps to enhance the knowledge in the field of well stability using modern methods in an unforgiving industry is very much needed. The nanoparticles accumulate on the wellbore wall and due to their very small sizes, they seal the pores in the mud cake, which plasters the wellbore. This paper focuses on empirical aspects of using nano-bentonite for filter loss control. The current work was applied on a nano-drilling fluid to improve filtration characteristics of drilling fluid in the wellbore. Therefore, nano-bentonite WBM (size between 90 and 100 nm) was introduced as the smart drilling fluid with abilities to overcome the tight spot problem in wellbores, which has been investigated in the paper. Three different drilling fluids were prepared using nano-bentonite clay with the main focus of enhancing those rheological features of the fluid expected to improve the mud characteristics, especially the plastering properties. Low pressure low temperature (LPLT) filter press test has been utilized to calculate the filter loss volume and the viscosity, yield point and gel strength of the understudy samples and the results have been compared. It was found that the filtration loss during the LPLT test was reduced by an overall average of 34% for all of the three samples, resulting in better filtration characteristics.

Evaluation of the Performance of Conventional Water‐Based Mud Characteristics by Applying Zinc Oxide and Silica Dioxide Nanoparticle Materials for a Selected Well in the Kurdistan/Iraq Oil Field

“…en, it returns back to the surface through the annular space between the drilling string and the borehole [1]. Primarily, drilling fluids are used for cooling and lubricating the drilling bit and the drilling string, suspending the rock cutting when the circulation is paused, carrying out the rock cutting from borehole to the surface, and maintaining the hydrostatic head pressure (Ph) greater than the pore pressure (Pf ) to avoid any kind of unwanted formation fluids to flow to the well [2,3].…”

“…e proper selection of the drilling mud is one of the key factors for succussing any drilling operation, which is typically based on its performance, cost, and environmental influence. On the other hand, improper drilling mud design may cause several drilling problems such as pipe sticking, mud loss, kick, bit balling, and borehole collapse [3].…”

Evaluation the performance of conventional water-based mud characteristics by applying Zinc Oxide and Silica Dioxide Nanoparticles materials for a selected well in The Kurdistan/ Iraq

“…Then it returns back to the surface through the annular space between the drilling string and the borehole [1]. Primarily, drilling fluids are used for cooling down and lubricating the drilling bit and the drilling string, suspend the rock cutting when the circulation paused, carrying the rock cutting from borehole to the surface, maintaining the hydrostatic head pressure (Ph) greater than the pore pressure (Pf) to avoid any kind of unwanted formation fluids to flow to the well [2], [3] Generally, drilling mud design is on the most essential aspects to consider during the well construction and completion stages. The proper selection of the drilling mud is one of the key factors for succussing any drilling operation, which is typically based on its performance, cost, and environmental influence.…”

“…The proper selection of the drilling mud is one of the key factors for succussing any drilling operation, which is typically based on its performance, cost, and environmental influence. On the other hand, improper drilling mud design may cause several drilling problems such as pipe sticking, mud loss, kick, bit balling ,and bore hole collapse [3].…”

Nanomaterial-Based Drilling Fluids for Exploitation of Unconventional Reservoirs: A Review

“…However, OBDF is toxic for marine species [24] and involves a high cost [25] because it is mostly made up of diesel oil [26]. Therefore, investigators have been consistently working to improve the characteristics of water-based drilling fluid system (WBDF) for unconventional reservoirs and drilling operation, where WBDF is inexpensive [27] and environmental friendly [28]. Eighty percent of oil and gas wellbore drilling operation uses WBDF [29]; however, WBDF possesses several problems related to drag and torque, pipe sticking, formation damage, lost circulation, and wellbore instability within HPHT downhole environments.…”