Fe3O4-CMC nanocomposite performance evaluation as rheology modifier and fluid loss control characteristic additives in water-based drilling fluid

Abstract

In drilling operations, there has been a considerable amount of attention to the drilling fluid formulation and characteristics. In recent years, the utilization of nanocomposite as an additive exhibited a promising improvement in the water-based drilling fluid rheological properties. The conventional additives have a lot of deficiencies such as being expensive, complicated synthesis methods, and not having desirable rheology properties. To eliminate the deficiencies, an investigation on the efficacy of Fe 3 O 4 - carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) nanocomposite on the rheological and filtration characteristics as an additive in the water-based drilling fluid are carried out in this study. The nanocomposite was synthesized by the co-precipitation method and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray was employed for characterization. Then, the nanocomposite with different ratio was utilized as an additive to drilling fluid and the rheological and filtration properties of fluid was measured for both deionized water and salty water. The results show that by adding 57% of 1:3 Fe 3 O 4 -CMC nanocomposite ratio to basic drilling fluid, in addition to considerable improvement in the viscosity, the filtration volume and cake thickness decreased noticeably. This formulation depicts non-Newtonian rheological behavior which could be illustrated properly by Herschel–Bulkley rheological model. Thus, exploitation of Fe 3 O 4 -CMC nanocomposite as an additive in water-based drilling fluid for fluid loss control would have advantageous due to its distinctive properties like enhanced resistance to water penetration and enhanced viscosity in both deionized water and salty water. In addition, the Fe 3 O 4 -CMC nanocomposite has superior properties such as uncomplicated synthesis method and being financially available in comparison to conventional additives. • Fe 3 O 4 -CMC Nanocomposite was synthesized by co-precipitation method. • Fe 3 O 4 -CMC Nanocomposite significantly decreased fluid loss and filter cake thickness of water-based drilling fluid. • Fe 3 O 4 -CMC Nanocomposite considerably enhanced the viscosity of water-based drilling fluid. • Fe 3 O 4 -CMC Nanocomposite caused a uniformed filter cake. • Fe 3 O 4 -CMC Nanocomposite exhibited better properties than pure CMC, while less CMC proportion was utilized.