Experimental study on the influence of nanoparticles on oil-based drilling fluid properties

The oil-based drilling fluids are widely used in well drilling. An experimental study on the effect of the addition of silicon oxide nanoparticles of various concentrations on the oil-based drilling fluids properties has been carried out. The range of nanoparticles concentration in drilling emulsions was taken from 0.25 to 2 wt%. The influence of nanosized particles on the viscosity and rheological properties, filtration and antifriction properties, as well as on the colloidal stability of oil-based drilling fluids is considered. This is the first time such a comprehensive study has been carried out. It is shown that the addition of nanoparticles to drilling fluids has a beneficial significant effect on their properties, and even a minute concentration of nanoparticles allowed to observe a change in all parameters. This indicates that the use of nanoparticles can become a promising direction in the field of further improvement of oil-based drilling fluids.

Automated summary

The study showed that adding nanoparticles to oil-based drilling fluids can significantly improve their properties, even with a minute concentration showing visible effects on all parameters. This may be a promising direction for further enhancing oil-based drilling fluids in the future.