Effect of nanoparticles in cuttings transport perrformance of water based muds at eccentric drill pipe

Abstract

One of the major issues for drilling operations is achieving effective cuttings transport, particularly in extended-reach drillings (ERD) with horizontal and highly deviated sections. The main objective of the present study is to investigate and compare the application of different nanoparticles (NPs), such as nanosilica (SiO2), aluminium oxide (Al2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), and copper oxide (CuO) for improvement in cuttings transport in a full wellbore section at both eccentric and concentric drill pipes. Water-based mud (WBM) was mixed with 0.13 and 0.26 wt.% of each of the NPs to create NP drilling fluids, which were then tested for rheological and filtration characteristics. The flow loop is 20 feet long, 2.4 inches wide (2.4-in. ID), and 1.4 inches thick (1.4-in OD). By circulating the tested fluid samples into the test section vertically to horizontally while controlling the flow rates (1.9, 2.15, 2.4 L/s), cuttings sizes (1.10–1.4 mm; 1.5–1.7 mm; 1.8–2.0 mm), hole angles (0, 30, 60, and 90o), and drill pipe eccentricity (e = 0; e = 1.0), the cuttings transport experiments were carried out. Simulating actual field circumstances is the aim of such a change in the operating parameters. The parameter used to assess hole cleaning is known as the "cuttings transport ratio (CTR)," which is calculated as the weight of recovered cuttings divided by the weight of injected cuttings. According to the findings, conventional WBMs' rheological properties are successfully improved by NPs, which improves borehole cleaning and drilled cutting suspension. With a higher NP concentration, the WBM's filtration capabilities were enhanced. The ideal concentration of NPs for rheological characteristics is 0.13 wt.%, whereas the ideal concentration for filtration control properties is 0.26 wt.%. In contrast, MgO yielded the lowest CTR, followed by SiO2, Al2O3, and drilling muds containing CuO mud samples produced the highest CTR. Their unique morphologies and various interactions with bentonite in the fluid system were linked to these variations in CTR. The cuttings are best transported at 0°, then 30°, next 90°, with 60° being the least-cleaning hole angle. Cutting behaviour is heavily influenced by the slope and geometry of the hole. At various flow rates, the concentric annulus provided a greater CTR than the eccentric drill pipe. However, flowrate is a major factor in eccentricity, and flow rates greater than 2.4 L/s may result in higher CTE pipe eccentricity. This research is the first effort to assess the use of various NP additions to improve the capacity of drilling fluids to circulate and move drilled cuttings out of the wellbore. With the help of NPs, the cuttings transport performance of WBM can be reasonably improved, and the project risks may thus be reduced. Thus, the study is expected to open new directions in developing NPs material as potential cuttings transport agents.