Effect of MWCNT on Duovis biopolymer based laboratory drilling: Experimental and Simulation studies

Master's thesis in Petroleum engineeringIn recent years, nanotechnology have shown an improving performance on the properties of drilling fluid, enhanced oil recovery and in cement. The technology is proven in several other industries. However, the research and development in the oil and gas industry is at its early stage. In this thesis work, several bases fluids have been formulated and the effect of MWCNT on the bases fluids have been evaluated. The main investigation factors considered were effect of pH, temperature and mixing condition. The bases fluid has been formulated by mixing water, bentonite, Duouvis polymer, lignosulfonate and KCl. Nanoparticle based drilling fluid have been formulated by adding 0.02wt%, 0.04wt%, 0.1wt% and 0.3wt% MWCNT in the bases fluid. The performance of the drilling fluid have been evaluated through simulation study. Main results from the experiments and simulations are summarized as follows: The effects of MWCNT on the bases fluid have shown impact on the rheological properties, but the effect was non-linearly as concentration increases Addition of 0.3wt% MWCNT decreased the friction coefficient by 43.6% Higher pH increased the viscometer responses of the drilling fluid than the lower pH. However, the rheological parameters are the same As compared with the mechanical mixing, the ultrasonicated fluid increased the YS and LSYS, but decreased the PV and the friction coefficient by 2.9 % In general, the considered MWCNT concentrations have increased the filtrate loss of the base fluid. As compared with the base fluid, the viscometer readings of MWCNT treated drilling fluids decreased less with increasing temperature As the concentration of MWCNT increases, the storage and loss moduli are increasing The reduction of coefficient friction due 0.3wt% MWCNT allowed longer drilling length Except for 0.3wt% MWCNT system, the lower concentrations of MWCNT reduced the PV as temperature increases