Comparing the Rheological Properties of Water-Based Mud Fluids Containing Nanoparticles Under High Pressure and High Temperature (HPHT) Conditions

SPARC 2022 Poster Number 3

The designing of good drilling fluid systems is highly required in oil and gas drilling operations. This paper intends to highlight the advantages that can be obtained if any, when nanoparticles are used in drilling fluids as additives. Choosing the right drilling fluid additives is a vital criterion in designing drilling fluids. This research intended aim is to investigate the optimum concentration of two nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles of size 50-100 nm and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) of size 8nm, that would produce good mud characteristics when used as additives in water-based muds (WBMs) under high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions. The tests were conducted at temperatures from 75 o F, 212o F, 250o F and 300o F and at a constant pressure of 100 psi. The results showed that at a concentration of 0.3 g iron oxide and MWCNT nanoparticles in WBM, there was no noticeable effect on the mud's properties at low pressure and low temperature (LPLT). Well as at elevated temperature, the same concentration exhibited the least rheological improvements. WBMs with MWCNT exhibited the highest readings of gel strength, YP and PV, regardless of the temperature compared to WBM with iron oxide. The optimum concentration of nanoparticles in the mud sample was found to be 0.5g. Concentration below 0.5g resulted to no improvement and above 0.5g would be a waste of resources. The results confirmed nanoparticle’s ability to enhance mud rheology which results in successful drilling operations, hence saving money and time.