Application of Nanoparticles in Improving Rheological Properties of Water Based Drilling Fluids

Abstract

Abstract Nanoparticles (NPs) have been recently used for different application in the oil and gas industry. Nanoparticles have proven their effectiveness for different applications including; drilling fluids, wellbore strengthening, and enhanced oil recovery (EOR). In this paper, different types of nanoparticles including Aluminum Oxide, Copper Oxide, and Magnesium Oxide were evaluated at two different concentrations. The main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of adding nanoparticles on the rheological properties of water-based drilling fluid. A simple 7% bentonite water-based mud was used in this study as a reference point. The rheological properties including plastic viscosity, yield point, and gel strength were evaluated at both; standard test temperature of 120°F and room temperature to understand the effect of nanoparticles on the rheological properties. In addition, the filtration characteristics were investigated using both; the standard API filter press at low-pressure low-temperature (LPLT) as well as the high-pressure-high- temperature (HPHT) filter press at 500 psi and 250°F. The results showed that plastic viscosity was reduced by 50% when NPs were added compared to the reference point. The yield point was improved by 84%, 121%, and 231% for 0.5%Vol Copper Oxide, Aluminum Oxide, and Magnesium Oxide, respectively. In addition, the 10 seconds gel strength was increased up to 95%. A reduction in the fluid loss up to 30% was observed at LPLT conditions. However, the filtration characteristics were negatively affected at HPHT. Based on the results, there is a good potential for using the above-mentioned nanoparticles to improve the rheological properties, especially the low-end rheology while maintaining low plastic viscosities, which in turns results in a better hole cleaning and more control over the equivalent circulation density.