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.
Highlights
It is expected that the global oil demand increase in the coming years will be due to a leap in energy demand (Pourafshary and Azimpour et al 2009; Kong and Ohadi 2010)
Some of the advantages of nano-based drilling fluids are improving the efficiency of shale stabilization, enhancing mud cake, improving cement, and enhancing anti-corrosion capacity (Amanullah and AlTahini 2009; Kong and Ohadi 2010)
Gel strength is calculated once after 10 s and once after 10 min while drilling fluid is in static conditions
Summary
It is expected that the global oil demand increase in the coming years will be due to a leap in energy demand (Pourafshary and Azimpour et al 2009; Kong and Ohadi 2010). Drilling fluid is expensive any loss will increase the corresponding costs, the loss of drilling fluid in the formation lowers well productivity as skin factor increases (Pourafshary and Azimpour et al 2009) Due to their nano size, the nanoparticles accumulate in the gaps between the larger particles, making lumps that prevent the flow in the matrix (Wilson 2012). Nano fluids can improve the effectiveness of oil exploration in remote places under complex conditions by providing a better well stability (Cocuzza and Pirri et al 2011) which reduce the corresponding costs and time, 2 factors that are very important in the drilling process.
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