Enhanced Rheological and Filtration Properties of Water-Based Mud Using Iron Oxide and Polyanionic Cellulose Nanoparticles
Soroush Kachoyan, Shaikh Nihaal, Jeffrey O. Oseh, Mohd Noorul Anam, Afeez Gbadamosi, Augustine Agi, Radzuan Junin
Abstract
Abstract The unstable wellbore created by the infiltration of drilling fluids into the reservoir formation is a great challenge in drilling operations. Reducing the fluid infiltration using nanoparticles (NPs) brings about a significant improvement in drilling operation. Herein, a mixture of iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP) and polyanionic cellulose nanoparticle (nano-PAC) additives were added to water-based mud (WBM) to determine their impact on rheological and filtration properties measured at 80 °F, 100 °F, and 250 °F. Polyanionic cellulose (PAC-R) was processed into nano-PAC by wet ball-milling process. The rheological behaviour, low-pressure low-temperature (LPLT), and high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) filtration properties performance of IONP, nano-PAC, and IONP and nano-PAC mixtures were compared in the WBM. The results showed that IONP, nano-PAC, and synergy effect of IONP and nano-PAC in WBM at temperatures of 80 °F and 250 °F improved the density, 10-s and 10-min gel strength (10-s Gs and 10-min GS), plastic viscosity (PV), and the yield point (YP), while the pH was constant at 9.0. The mixture of 1.5 wt.% IONP + 0.25g nano-PAC in the WBM unveiled the most promising and optimal properties. At LPLT, the mixture improved the YP by 11% and reduced the LPLT fluid loss volume (FL) by 32.4%. At HPHT, the mud density increased by 3%, 10-s GS by 56%, 10-min GS by 52%, and the YP by 33.3%, while the HPHT FL decreased by 21%. With 1.0 g concentration at 100 °F, the nano-PAC achieved the greatest reduction in the FL of the WBM by 63%, followed by PAC-R by 57% before IONP that showed 36% reduction. Overall, the impact of IONP and nano-PAC in the WBM is evident and while the IONP showed more improved PV, the nano-PAC is more desirable for fluid loss control when 1.0 g at 100 °F was used. The use of combined IONP and nano-PAC could be beneficial for mitigating fluid loss and averting wellbore problem.