One of the most recent research areas in subsurface applications, including well drilling, is the use of eco-friendly and sustainably synthesized nanoparticles to improve drilling fluid efficiency. Typically, Shale formations present significant challenges to traditional drilling fluids, including fluid infiltration and shale swelling, which jeopardize wellbore stability. Although water-based drilling fluids (WBM) are environmentally preferred, their performance often requires enhancement through advanced additives. This study thus examines the synthesis of silica (SiO₂) and alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles (NPs) using sustainable methods, employing Iraqi bentonite for silica and recycled aluminum scrap for alumina, to improve WBM efficiency. Mainly, a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) apparatus was used to systematically investigate the influence of NPs as additives on the flow, filtration ability, and other rheological properties of WBM. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties of the synthesized NPs were characterized using various analytical techniques. Particle size distribution measurements indicated that SiO₂ NPs had an average particle size of 84 nm, while Al₂O₃ NPs produced at 1200 °C reached a size range of 80±60 nm. Most interestingly, rheological results showed that the addition of 1 g of SiO₂ NPs increased plastic viscosity from a base of 6 cP to 10 cP, whereas the addition of 1 g of Al₂O₃ NPs significantly boosted the yield point from 15 lb/100 ft² to 65 lb/100 ft². Moreover, filtration performance was notably enhanced; the addition of 0.5 g of Al₂O₃ NPs reduced the low-temperature, low-pressure (LTLP) filtrate volume from 10.25 ml to 5.24 ml and the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) filtrate volume from 15.2 ml to 8.7 ml. Additionally, NPs, particularly alumina, caused greater shale stabilization. Specifically, adding 1 g of Al₂O₃ NPs reduces shale swelling from 24% in the base mud to just 6.9% after 24 h, and increases lubricity by lowering the coefficient of friction by around 27% (from 0.52% to 0.38%). The outcomes of this work indicate that the NPs effectively seal shale nanopores and enhance surface hydrophobicity, offering a cost-effective, high-performance solution for challenging drilling operations.
Nanotechnology has shown a lot of promise in the oil and gas sectors, including nanoparticle-based drilling fluids. This paper aims to explore and assess the influence of various nanoparticles on the performance of drilling fluids to make the drilling operation smooth, cost effective and efficient. In order to achieve this aim, we exam the effect of Multi Wall Carbon Nanotube and Silicon Oxide Nanoparticles as Nanomaterial to prepare drilling fluids samples.
Anew method for mixing of drilling fluids samples using Ultra sonic path principle will be explained. Our result was drilling fluids with nano materials have high degree of stability.
The results of using Multiwall Carbon Nanotube and Silicon Oxide show t
... Show MoreThe addition of nanoparticles to the drilling fluids for geological projects is a promising application for enhancing the stability, rheological properties, and overall performance of the mud. This study aims to thoroughly analyze and compare the effects of silica and alumina nanoparticles on the properties and effectiveness of polymer drilling mud. Silica and alpha-alumina nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol-gel process and characterized through several techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The effects of silica and alumina nanoparticles on various properties of drilling mud were then measured using a perme
... Show MoreThe escalating generation of industrial waste alongside the growing demand for high-performance, environmentally sustainable drilling fluids presents critical challenges to the oil and gas sector. Conventional drilling fluid additives are predominantly synthesized from virgin materials, contributing to resource depletion and environmental burden. Objectives: This study pioneers a circular economy approach by synthesizing silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPS) and alumina nanoparticles (Al2O3NPs) entirely from locally sourced industrial waste — bentonite clay and aluminum scrap, respectively — and evaluating their performance as functional additives in water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs). Novelty: To the best of our knowledge, this represents th
... Show MoreWater-based drilling fluids (WBDFs) are the industry-preferred medium for drilling reactive shale formations, yet they remain susceptible to shale swelling, fluid invasion, and cuttings dispersion—all of which compromise wellbore stability. Although oil-based fluids (OBFs) provide effective shale inhibition, their high cost and adverse environmental profile limit their use. Nanoparticles (NPs) derived from waste feedstocks offer a low-cost, environmentally responsible alternative for enhancing WBDF performance, but no prior study has simultaneously evaluated both waste-derived SiO2 and Al2O2 NPs within a single WBDF system. This study synthesised SiO2 NPs from Halfaya bentonite clay waste and Al2O2 NPs from recycled aluminium scrap, char
... Show MoreIn drilling fluid program, selecting the drilling fluid that will reduce the lost time is the first objective, and will be economical regardless of its cost. The amount and type of solids in drilling fluid is the primary control of the rheological and filtration properties. Palygorskite clay (attapulgite) is an active solid that has the ability to reactive with its environment and form a gel structure within a fluid and due to its stability in the presence of brines and electrolytes this type of clay is preferred for use. The aim of this study is to improve properties of Iraqi palygorskite (PAL) by adding different chemical additives such as caustic soda NaOH and soda ash Na2CO3 with a different con
... Show MoreIt is well known that drilling fluid is a key parameter for optimizing drilling operations, cleaning the hole, and managing the rig hydraulics and margins of surge and swab pressures. Although the experimental works represent valid and reliable results, they are expensive and time consuming. In contrast, continuous and regular determination of the rheological fluid properties can perform its essential functions during good construction. The aim of this study is to develop empirical models to estimate the drilling mud rheological properties of water-based fluids with less need for lab measurements. This study provides two predictive techniques, multiple regression analysis and artificial neural networks, to determine the rheological
... Show MoreRecently, many materials have shown that they can be used as alternatives to chemicals materials in order to be used to improve the properties of drilling fluids. Some of these materials are banana peels and corn cobs which both are considered environmentally- friendly materials. The results of the X-ray diffraction examination have proved that the main components of these materials are cellulose and hemicellulose, which contribute greatly to the increasing of the effectiveness of these two materials. Due to their distinct composition, these two materials have improved the rheological properties (plastic viscosity and yield point) and reduced the filtration of the drilling fluids to a large extent. The addition rates used for each o
... Show MoreStick- slip is the continuous stopping& release of the Bit/BHA due to the irregular down-hole rotation prompted by the existing relationship between the friction torque and the torque applied from the surface to free the bit.
Friction coefficient between BHA and wellbore is the main player of stick slip amount, which can be mitigated by support a good lubricators as additives in drilling mud.
Mathematical (or empirical) solves should be done through adjusting all parameters which supposed to reduce stick- slip as low as possible using different models, one of the main parameters is drilling mud. As per Nanoparticles drilling fluid is a new technology that offers high performance
... Show MoreLaser drilling is capable of producing small, precisely positioned holes with high degree of reproductively. In this paper , IR millisecond Nd:YAG single pulsed laser was used to determine the effect of laser parameters on the drilled hole of the glass - fiber reinforced epoxy composite FR-4 sample of 2 mm in thickness . The type of laser source was GSI lumonics JK760TR Series laser 1.064μm system in a CNC cabin. The JK760TR series has a 0.3-50ms pulse length and a maximum repetition rate 500Hz with an average power of 600W. The investigation of single pulse laser drilling in this paper was based on theoretical and experimental solutions. In single pulse technique, the investigation included focal plane position fpp, pulse shap
... Show MoreRe-use of the byproduct wastes resulting from different municipal and industrial activities in the reclamation of contaminated water is real application for green projects and sustainability concepts. In this direction, the synthesis of composite sorbent from the mixing of waterworks and sewage sludge coated with new nanoparticles named “siderite” (WSSS) is the novelty of this study. These particles can be precipitated from the iron(II) nitrate using waterworks sludge as alkaline agent and source of carbonate. Characterization tests using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping revealed that the coating process was c