(274b) Impact of Zirconia Nanoparticles and Polymer on Drilling Fluid Rheology, Fluid Loss and Filter Cake Properties

Nanotechnology has been widely employed in the oil gas sector to improve the extraction of fossil fuels from reservoirs. Nanoparticles in the formulation of drilling fluids showed remarkable properties especially reduced fluid loss and filter cake thickness, better rheological properties and stabilized reactive shale formations. This paper discusses the use of zirconia nanoparticles and high molecular weight polymer for rheology, fluid loss and filter cake properties. The shale inhibition test was performed to study the effect of nanoparticles, polymer hydration, and swelling behavior of shale.

The water-based drilling fluid was prepared by mixing the different concentrations of polymers and nanoparticles along with other additives such as polyanionic cellulose, sodium silicate, sodium hydroxide as pH control agent and barite. Numerous experimental techniques were employed such as linear swelling test, hot rolling dispersion test, low-pressure/low-temperature, and high-pressure/high-temperature filtration tests, zeta potential, shale surface hydration test, and shale compressive strength test. The filtration and rheological properties of drilling fluid were determined to various temperatures ranging from 75℉ to 400℉.

The different concentrations of zirconia nanoparticles and polymer were used to formulate the modified drilling fluids and results were compared with the conventionally used drilling fluid. The rheological properties of modified drilling fluid increased by increasing the concentration of nanoparticles in the drilling fluid. The fluid loss volume of modified drilling fluid was reduced by 24% compared to the fluid loss volume with the base fluid. The filter cake thickness has been reduced significantly by adding nanoparticles in the drilling fluid. The shale swelling and hot rolling dispersion tests with modified drilling fluid showed that swelling of shale decreased prominently compared to the base drilling fluid. The synergistic effect of high molecular weight polymer and zirconia nanoparticles protects the surface of shale with minimum swelling and hydration. The rheological properties of drilling fluid at 400 °F was slightly affected. The fluid loss results showed promising results with the incorporation of zirconia nanoparticles in drilling fluid. The optimum nanoparticle concentration was determined at 0.1% that showed best rheological and fluid loss properties.

The use of zirconia nanoparticles along with high molecular weight polymer enhanced the rheological and filtration properties of drilling fluids for high temperature applications. The shale hydration and swelling of shale significantly reduced by utilizing the nanoparticles in the drilling fluids. The optimum concentration of 0.1% of nanoparticles were selected for enhanced properties of drilling fluids.