Novel Nanoparticle-Based Drilling Fluid with Improved Characteristics

“The cost of the drilling fluid loss often represents one of the single peak capital expenditure during drilling. Current experience, nevertheless, shows that it is often impossible to reduce fluid loss successfully with micro and macro type fluid loss additives due to the fact that their physio-chemical and mechanical characteristics still falls short of the best that can be conceived.”

Wellbore Strengthening In Sandstones by Means of Nanoparticle-Based Drilling Fluids

“Wellbore strengthening is an approach used to increase the fracture pressure of the rock, widen the mud window and consequently enhance the well integrity and mitigate mud losses. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of wellbore strengthening in permeable formations using oil-based mud (OBM) containing in-house prepared nanoparticles (NPs) combined with graphite.”

A field application of nanoparticle-based invert emulsion drilling fluids

“In this work, a modified process for the emulsion-based synthesis of NPs on a 20 m3 volume and its subsequent full-scale field testing are presented. Comparison between NP carrier fluids prepared under controlled environment in the laboratory and those prepared on a large scale in a mixing facility revealed very little variation in the main characteristics of the drilling fluid; including the size of the solid constituents.”