Abstract
New technologies are often sought to mitigate the problems associated with traditional drilling fluid formulations. Nanotechnology provides an alternative. A particle size of matter in the range of 1–100 nm in diameter (d.nm) is referred to as nanoparticle. Nanoparticles are broadly divided into various categories depending on their morphology, size and chemical properties. This size range lends their application in science and engineering. In rotary drilling operations where drilling fluid is at the center, performance and optimization issues have been observed. Use of polymer nanoparticles in mud formulations have been considered due to desirable properties such as wide specific surface area, high temperature stability and pollution resistance. Areas of application and advantages include improvement in mud rheology, fluid loss properties, improved lubricity, filter against hazard materials and cost effectiveness. Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles possess the outlined properties and would continue to offer wider applications in drilling fluid technology now and in the nearest future due to their stable, film forming and gelatinization characteristics. To reliably estimate the quantity of polymeric nanoparticles to use, size and shape should be considered before concentration to apply to make prediction easier. Dispersion of different shapes, sizes and structures of polymeric nanoparticles might be a consideration to enhance polymer influence on fluid formulations.