Synthesis and Performance Study of the Nanomaterial Used to Stabilize the Reversible Invert Emulsion Drilling Fluid

Abstract

The reversible invert emulsion drilling fluids can achieve performance of oil based drilling fluid and solve the disadvantages associated by the oil based drilling fluid. This reversible invert emulsion drilling fluid can also focus the advantages of both oil based and water based drilling fluids. The surfactant emulsifier is the currently reported emulsifier used in the reversible invert emulsion. The stability of the reversible invert emulsion drilling fluid is very poor that can be known from the low emulsion breaking voltage. The dosage of the surfactant emulsifier is so much that it can increase the drilling cost and environmental pollution. In this paper, organic amine surfactant-modified nanoparticles are prepared and the modified nanoparticle which can be used to stabilize the reversible invert emulsion drilling fluid is chosen. The stability of the reversible invert emulsion drilling fluid stabilized by modified nanoparticles (emulsion breaking voltage>1100V) is better than the reversible invert emulsion drilling fluid stabilized by surfactant (450V<emulsion breaking voltage<600V). The dosage of the organic amine surfactant-modified nanoparticle emulsifier (2.4 wt.%) is less than the dosage of the surfactant emulsifier (4 wt.%), hence, reducing the drilling cost and environmental threat. The reversible invert emulsion drilling fluid stabilized by modified nanoparticles perform similar to the reversible invert emulsion drilling fluid stabilized by surfactant in the aspect of oiliness cuttings treatment. The reversible invert emulsion drilling fluid stabilized by modified nanoparticles also perform well in the aspect of oiliness cuttings treatment.