Use of nanoparticle derived from natural source and its application in drilling fluid

Abstract

The inefficiency of drilling fluid in performing certain functional properties like proper cutting lifting, pressure maintenance, forming thin mud cake around borehole wall is mainly because of lack in particular rheological or filtrate loss properties. Hence, the industry is looking for new kind of additives which can be helpful in maintaining these properties in desired range even under extreme conditions. This paper describes the preparation of silica nanoparticles from abundantly available agricultural waste rice husk and its use in drilling fluid. Silica nanoparticle were synthesised from rice husk by treating it with 1N HCl and calcinating at 600°C. Nano silica particles prepared are characterised by FTIR, FESEM and EDX studies. Effect of temperature on rheological and filtration loss properties was studied for the drilling fluids with and without silica nanoparticles. It was observed that drilling fluid with silica nanoparticles maintains its properties at even high temperature of 100°C. [Received: April 28, 2017; Accepted: April 11, 2017]