Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Colloidal stability; Filtrate control; Nanoparticles water-based drilling fluid; Shale inhibition; Thermal stability; Woodford unconventional shale

Abstract

"Drilling fluid design for unconventional reservoirs aims at preventing formation instability problems associated with fluid invasion, shale swelling, and cuttings dispersion. Although oil-based mud (OBM) can be used to achieve these goals, environmental and economic concerns limit its application. This experimental study evaluated the potential use of nanoparticles (NP) to improve water-based mud (WBM) inhibition capabilities and its ability to enhance the overall drilling fluid thermal stability while providing a cleaner technology to the industry.

Characterization of Woodford shale was completed with X-ray diffraction, cation exchange capacity, and scanning electron microscopy, silica, and graphene NP were characterized with aqueous stability tests and zeta-potential. Selected NP were added at a low concentration (0.1 - 1 % wt.), and standard filtration (LTLP & HTHP), rheology, dispersion and swelling tests were conducted to investigate the inhibition improvements of the new NP-WBM. In addition, optimum formulation of the new NP-WBM was aged at different conditions (150⁰F, 200⁰F, 250⁰F) for thermal and rheological stability. Conventional KCL/PHPA fluid was used for comparison purposes.

The NP showed a reduction of the chemical interactions between the WBM and Woodford shale samples, reducing the swelling and dispersion effects. Also, a synergistic effect was observed between NP and conventional additives indicating that NP had the capability to improve the WBM temperature resistance. Thus, offering an eco-friendly alternative with enhanced thermal and rheological stability of the overall WBM formulation and providing more efficient drilling and wellbore stability"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Imqam, Abdulmohsin

Committee Member(s)

Dunn-Norman, Shari
Flori, Ralph E.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Petroleum Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2018

Pagination

xviii, 177 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 167-176).

Geographic Coverage

Catoosa, Oklahoma

Rights

© 2018 Jose Aramendiz Pacheco, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 11412

Electronic OCLC #

1084475396

Download

Share

Thesis Location

 
COinS