Nanoparticles Show Promise in Developing Intelligent Drilling Fluid for Ultra-Deep Wells

Researchers in China have developed a novel hydrophobic associated polymer based silica nanoparticles composite that demonstrates excellent properties as a micro-nano-drilling fluid additive for drilling ultra-deep wells under extreme conditions. This material, prepared via inverse micro emulsion polymerization and sol-gel preparation, has shown significant potential in improving the stability and pressure-bearing capability of formations. The study's findings highlight the composite's effectiveness in plugging micro-pores and micro-cracks and its ability to improve wellbore stability.

Key Takeaways:

• A novel hydrophobic associated polymer based silica nanoparticles composite has been developed with a core-shell structure for use in drilling ultra-deep wells under ultra-high temperature, ultra-high pressure, and salinity.
• The composite was prepared via inverse micro emulsion polymerization and sol-gel preparation, and its properties were characterized by particle size distribution, SEM, TEM, and ESEM.
• The composite demonstrates excellent thermal stability, rheology, fluid loss, and lubricity as a micro-nano-drilling fluid additive.
• The composite has shown significant potential in improving the stability and pressure-bearing capability of formations by effectively plugging micro-pores and micro-cracks.
• H. Mao and his team from the China University of Petroleum conducted the research, which was published in the Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering.
• Additional authors include Z.S. Qiu, Z.H. Shen, and W.A. Huang.

Statistics:

• The composite was prepared using Acrylamide, 2-Acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, Maleic anhydride, Styrene, and silica nanoparticles.
• The particle size distribution of the composite was characterized using SEM, TEM, and ESEM.
• The study demonstrated the composite's excellent thermal stability, with a reported value of 130°C±5°C.
• The composite's rheology showed a high shear yield stress of 3.15 Pa·s.
• The fluid loss test revealed a low fluid loss value of 0.15 mL at a pressure of 10 MPa.
• The composite showed improved wellbore stability, with a reported micro-model drilling fluid flooding and drilling fluid displacement experiment.

Sources:

• Hydrophobic associated polymer based silica nanoparticles composite with core-shell structure as a filtrate reducer for drilling fluid at utra-high temperature. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2015;129():1-14.
• Elsevier Science Bv, PO Box 211, 1000 Ae Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• China University of Petroleum, East China, Sch Petr Engn, Qingdao 266580, Shandong, People's Republic of China.