Effect of hydrophilic silica nanoparticles on hydrate formation during methane gas migration in a simulated wellbore

Natural gas hydrates are mostly formed in low-permeability and fractured muddy sedimentary formations. Adding suitable nanoparticles to the drilling fluid system can improve its filtrate resistance and fracture plugging, and effectively weaken the invasion of drilling fluid into the reservoir. However, it is likely that nanoparticles promote hydrate formation and accumulation in wellbores which will induce accidents. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of hydrophilic silica nanoparticles with particle sizes of 30 nm, 60 nm, and 80 nm and concentrations of 0.5–4.0 wt% on hydrate formation during upward migration of methane gas using a dynamic simulation system for hydrate formation in a wellbore. The experimental results show that under the condition of methane gas migration, hydrophilic silica nanoparticles inhibit hydrate formation. The inhibition effect increased with the growth in the particle size under a constant concentration, whereas it first increased and then decreased with increasing nanoparticle concentration under a constant particle size. The strongest inhibition effect was observed at a hydrophilic silica nanoparticle concentration of 2.0 wt%. The influence of hydrophilic silica nanoparticles on hydrate formation may be mainly determined by their hydrophilic properties, heat and mass transfer, and gas migration in the wellbore. Our research indicates that hydrophilic silica nanoparticles can be added to hydrate drilling fluid systems if their concentration can be properly controlled.