Novel modified nano-silica/polymer composite in water-based drilling fluids to plug shale pores

ABSTRACT

The rapid growth of global energy demand necessitates high-performance water-based drilling fluids (WDFs) with excellent-plugging performance in the deep excavation of shale gas formation. Herein, we report an organic-inorganic nanocomposite (NS-D) as a plugging agent in WDFs to plug the nanoporous of shale and abate the hydration expansion of shale by integrating the advantages of inorganic and polymer nano plugging agents. The results of Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) revealed that NS-D had been successfully obtained. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal degradation temperature of NS-D occurred after 354 °C. The results of plugging theory analysis showed that the presence of rich amide groups and rigid material silica not only made NS-D adhere to shale efficiently by hydrogen bonding, but also firmly blocked the nanoporous of shale. The plugging ability was evaluated by pressure transfer test and nitrogen adsorption test. The results showed that WDFs with NS-D can significantly improve plugging efficiency and reduce fluid invasion. On the other hand, NS-D sharply abated the fluid loss of WDFs due to its positive plugging performance. The filtrate volume of WDFs decreased by 90.5% and 88.3%, respectively, before and after hot rolling at 150°C for 16 h. Moreover, the plugging performance of NS-D for WDFs was significantly better than polymer plugging agent crosslinked polyacrylamide microspheres and inorganic plugging agent silica nanoparticles. This work provides a novel strategy to plug the nanoporous of shale in the process of shale gas exploration.

KEYWORDS:

• Plugging agent
• silica nanoparticles
• water-based drilling fluids
• shale
• polymer brush

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Acknowledgments

This work was sponsored by Science Development Fund Project of Dongying (DJ2020024), Scientific Research Starting Fund from Shengli College China University of Petroleum (KQ2019-007), Youth Innovation Team Science and Technology Development Program of Shandong Province Higher Educational Institutions (2019KJA024), Training Program of Innovation for Undergraduates, Shandong Postdoctoral Innovation Talent Support Program.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Nomenclature section

Water-based drilling fluids (WDFs)

Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR)

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

X-ray diffractometer (XRD)

Specific surface area analysis (BET)

Before hot rolling (BHR)

After hot rolling (AHR)

American Petroleum Institute (API)

Filtrate viscosity (μ)

Thickness of the mud cake (t_c)

Filtration speed of the filtrate (q)

Differential pressure (ΔP)

Size of the filter paper (A)

Permeability (K_C)

Plugging agent (NS-D).

Supplementary Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Training Program of Innovation for Undergraduates, Shandong Postdoctoral Innovation Talent Support Program; Youth Innovation Team Science and Technology Development Program of Shandong Province Higher Educational Institutions [2019KJA024]; Scientific Research Starting Fund from Shengli College China University of Petroleum [KQ2019-007]; Science Development Fund Project of Dongying [DJ2020024].

Notes on contributors

Fei Liu

Fei Liu graduated with a Ph.D from China University of Petroleum. He is an associate professor in Shengli College of China University of Petroleum, mainly researching drilling fluid chemistry.

Zheng Zheng

Zheng Zheng is a fourth-year student in Shengli College of China University of Petroleum. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Liu Fei, his conducting research on oilfield chemical development.

Xiuying Wang

Xiuying Wang is an assistant engineer of Shandong Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, and he mainly conduct related research on the influence of additives on fluid flow.

Xiaqing Li

Xiaqing Li graduated with a Ph.D from China University of Petroleum. He is an engineer from Petroleum Engineering Technology Research Institute of Shengli Oilfield Company, and mainly engaged in research related to the development of oilfield chemicals.

Zhaoxiang Zhang

Zhaoxiang Zhang graduated with a Ph.D from China University of Petroleum. He is a postdoctoral at Shengli Oilfield Company Postdoctoral Research Station, and conduct related research on oil and gas field development technology.

Xuewu Wang

Xuewu Wang graduated with a Ph.D from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is an associate professor in Shengli College of China University of Petroleum, mainly researching oil and gas field development technology.

Xiaodong Dai

Xiaodong Dai graduated with a Ph.D from China University of Petroleum. He is a professor in Shengli College of China University of Petroleum, mainly researching oilfield chemical development.

Yanping Xin

Yanping Xin graduated with a master's degree from China University of Petroleum. He is an associate professor in Shengli College of China University of Petroleum, mainly dealing with the mechanism of oil field chemicals.

Qingxue Liu

Qingxue Liu is a second-year student in Shengli College of China University of Petroleum. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Liu Fei, he is conducting research on drilling fluid chemistry.

Hailei Yao

Hailei Yao is a second-year student in Shengli College of China University of Petroleum. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Liu Fei, he is conducting research on oil field chemistry.

Shunyao Jiang

Shunyao Jiang is a second-year student in Shengli College of China University of Petroleum. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Liu Fei, research and development of new drilling fluid system.

Chao Liu

Chao Liu is a second-year student in Shengli College of China University of Petroleum. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Liu Fei, he is conducting research on the development of new drilling fluid additives.

Xingyan Li

Xingyan Li is a second-year student in Shengli College of China University of Petroleum. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Liu Fei, he is conducting research on the development of new nanomaterials.