Effect of silica nano particles on the rheological and HTHP filtration properties of environment friendly additive in water-based drilling fluid

Abstract

Rheological and filtration properties of drilling fluid contribute a vital role in successful drilling operations. Rheological parameters such as apparent viscosity (AV), plastic viscosity (PV), yield point (YP) and gel strength of drilling fluids are very essential for hydraulic calculations and lifting of drill cuttings during the drilling operation. Control of filtration loss volume is also very important for cost effective and successful drilling operations. Therefore, the main goal of this research is to improve the rheological and filtration properties of Grewia Optiva fibre powder (GOFP) by using 30–50 nm size of silica nano particles (SNP) in water-based drilling fluid. The experimental outcomes revealed that after hot rolling of mud samples at 100 °C for 16 h, the low pressure-low temperature (LPLT) and high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) filtration loss of GOFP additives was improved, after the addition of SNP on it. The mixture of 5% GOFP + 4% SNP has reduced the LPLT and HPHT filtration loss of drilling fluid by 74.03 and 78.12%, respectively, as compared to base mud. Thus, it was concluded that after the addition of 0.4% SNP, the LPLT and HPHT filtration control ability of GOFP additive in WBM were increased by 17.6 and 15%, respectively. The rheological parameters such as AV, PV, YP and gelation of drilling fluids were also improved by the addition of GOFP + SNP mixture in the base mud. Therefore, the implementation of GOFP + SNP mixture in water-based mud showed auspicious results which reaffirm the feasibility of using them in the successful drilling operations.