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

Abstract

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.

Figure 1

Drilling fluids: basic constituents, main functions, and classification.

Figure 2

Two-dimensional layered nanomaterials used in WBDF formulations and their main synthesis and aqueous dispersion routes.

Figure 3

Factors affecting WBDF formulations using 2D layered nanomaterials as additives.

Figure 4

Schematic representation of the primary rheology models used in WBDF formulation and the typical behavior of 2D nanoparticles-based formulation under shear (static and dynamic state).

Figure 5

Schematic illustration of filter loss of conventional drilling fluid based on bentonite compared to the same drilling fluid but with 2D nanoparticles added.

Figure 6

Typical Hele–Shaw cell, which is a crude but practical and analyzable analog simulation of an oil reservoir or packed column of porous material.

Figure 7

(a) Unstable viscous flow fingers under a vertical packed column in the Hele–Shaw geometry. Low viscosity fluid is injected from one end of the cell attempting to displace a more viscous fluid in the cell. (b) Multiple fingers developing on flow velocity of interface.

Figure 8

Hele–Shaw cell in radial geometry with fingering instabilities.

Figure 9

Schematization of the compelling stabilization of displacement front produced by a non-uniform depth of the Hele–Shaw cell. The left panel shows the cell geometry; the right panel, the typical fingering in a Hele–Shaw cell with a uniform gap; and the bottom panel, the same flow conditions in a converging Hele–Shaw cell. Adapted in part with permission from ref (120). Copyright 2012 Nature.

Figure 10

Different phases dependent on velocities in simulated unstable two-phase displacement by means of the level set method following the interface evolution, simulated with COMSOL software.