Experimental investigation of thermo-physical properties of drilling fluid integrated with nanoparticles: Improvement of drilling operation performance

Reduced graphene oxide/SiC nanowire composite aerogel prepared by a hydrothermal method with excellent thermal insulation performance and electromagnetic wave absorption performance

In aerospace and downhole exploration, materials must function reliably in challenging environments characterized by high temperatures and complex electromagnetic (EM) interference. Graphene oxide (GO) aerogels are promising materials for thermal insulation, and the incorporation of silicon carbide nanowires can enhance their mechanical properties, thermal stability and EM absorption efficiency. In this context, citric acid acts as both a cross-linking and reducing agent, facilitating the formation of a composite aerogel comprising GO and SiC nanowires (rGO/m-SiC NWs). Compared with GO aerogels, the representative composite aerogel sample rGS4 demonstrated significantly improved mechanical properties (yield strength increased by 0.031 MPa), outstanding thermal stability (ability to withstand temperatures up to 800 °C) and remarkably low thermal conductivity (measuring just 0.061 W m-1K-1). Importantly, the composite aerogels displayed impressive EM absorption characteristics, including a slim profile (2.5 mm), high absorption capacity (-42.23 dB) and an exceptionally broad effective absorption bandwidth (7.47 GHz). Notably, the specific effective absorption bandwidth of composite aerogels exceeded that of similar composite materials. In conclusion, rGO/m-SiC NWs exhibited exceptional mechanical properties, remarkable thermal stability, efficient thermal insulation and outstanding microwave absorption capabilities. These findings highlight their potential for use in high-temperature and electromagnetically challenging environments.

Parameter prediction of coiled tubing drilling based on GAN-LSTM

With the increasing development of coiled tubing drilling technology, the advantages of coiled tubing drilling technology are becoming more and more obvious. In the operation process of coiled tubing, Due to various different drilling parameters, manufacturing defects, and improper human handling, the coiled tubing can curl up and cause stuck drilling or shortened service life problems. Circulation pressure, wellhead pressure, and total weight have an important influence on the working period of coiled tubing. For production safety, this paper predicts circulation pressure, ROP, wellhead pressure, and finger weight using GAN-LSTM after studying drilling engineering theory and analyzing a large amount of downhole data. Experimental results show that GAN-LSTM can predict the parameters of circulation pressure, wellhead pressure ROP and total weight to a certain extent. After much training, the accuracy is about 90%, which is about 17% higher than that of the GAN and LSTM. It has a certain guiding significance for coiled tubing operation, increasing operational safety and drilling efficiency, thus reducing production costs.

Nanofluid Formulations Based on Two-Dimensional Nanoparticles, Their Performance, and Potential Application as Water-Based Drilling Fluids

The development of sustainable, cost-efficient, and high-performance nanofluids is one of the current research topics within drilling applications. The inclusion of tailorable nanoparticles offers the possibility of formulating water-based fluids with enhanced properties, providing unprecedented opportunities in the energy, oil, gas, water, or infrastructure industries. In this work, the most recent and relevant findings related with the development of customizable nanofluids are discussed, focusing on those based on the incorporation of 2D (two-dimensional) nanoparticles and environmentally friendly precursors. The advantages and drawbacks of using 2D layered nanomaterials including but not limited to silicon nano-glass flakes, graphene, MoS₂, disk-shaped Laponite nanoparticles, layered magnesium aluminum silicate nanoparticles, and nanolayered organo-montmorillonite are presented. The current formulation approaches are listed, as well as their physicochemical characterization: rheology, viscoelastic properties, and filtration properties (fluid losses). The most influential factors affecting the drilling fluid performance, such as the pH, temperature, ionic strength interaction, and pressure, are also debated. Finally, an overview about the simulation at the microscale of fluids flux in porous media is presented, aiming to illustrate the approaches that could be taken to supplement the experimental efforts to research the performance of drilling muds. The information discussed shows that the addition of 2D nanolayered structures to drilling fluids promotes a substantial improvement in the rheological, viscoelastic, and filtration properties, additionally contributing to cuttings removal, and wellbore stability and strengthening. This also offers a unique opportunity to modulate and improve the thermal and lubrication properties of the fluids, which is highly appealing during drilling operations.

Utilization of Eco-Friendly Waste Generated Nanomaterials in Water-Based Drilling Fluids; State of the Art Review

An important aspect of hydrocarbon drilling is the usage of drilling fluids, which remove drill cuttings and stabilize the wellbore to provide better filtration. To stabilize these properties, several additives are used in drilling fluids that provide satisfactory rheological and filtration properties. However, commonly used additives are environmentally hazardous; when drilling fluids are disposed after drilling operations, they are discarded with the drill cuttings and additives into water sources and causes unwanted pollution. Therefore, these additives should be substituted with additives that are environmental friendly and provide superior performance. In this regard, biodegradable additives are required for future research. This review investigates the role of various bio-wastes as potential additives to be used in water-based drilling fluids. Furthermore, utilization of these waste-derived nanomaterials is summarized for rheology and lubricity tests. Finally, sufficient rheological and filtration examinations were carried out on water-based drilling fluids to evaluate the effect of wastes as additives on the performance of drilling fluids.