This work focuses on the laboratory techniques for developing, assessing, and analyzing innovative water-based drilling fluids containing iron oxide (Fe2O3) and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles. The examined nanoparticles have the potential to significantly improve the characteristics of the filter cakes at both low-pressure/low-temperature (LP/LT) and high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) conditions. They also have the ability to maintain optimal rheological properties so that many drilling problems can be mitigated efficiently.
Introduction
Drilling-fluid loss is considered the major source of capital expenditure during drilling operations. Nanoparticles have proved to be more effective in reducing the filtrate losses than conventional fluid-loss reducers.
