Applications of Emerging Nanomaterials in Drilling Fluids

Abstract Nanomaterials find several applications in the oilfield operations. In oilwell drilling, nanomaterials are being used for mitigating wellbore instability conditions, improving thermal stability of the fluid, minimizing formation damage by preventing fluid invasion into the reservoir, improving fluid rheology, and controlling fluid loss. A wide range of nanomaterials from organic as well as inorganic and composites are being developed to accomplish the mentioned functions. Significant nanomaterials being developed include nanocellulosic particles, nanoclay, nanosilica, nanometals, nanometal oxides and nanopolymers. Improving fluid properties to develop smart fluids by the incorporation of nanomaterials is an emerging research field which is yielding promising results. This review article presents the recent development made in the applications of the nanomaterials in drilling fluids especially the nanosilica particles surface modified by organic ligands. Surface modification of nanosilica with organic ligands namely 3‐Glycidoxypropyl‐triethoxy silane (GPTS), hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (HPEI) and Moringa oleifera cationic protein (MOCP) are discussed. Applications of nanomaterials in drilling fluids to minimize wellbore instability, prevent formation damage, improve thermal stability and conductivity, stabilize fluid rheology, improve hole cleaning, and minimize the chances of downhole string sticking have been reviewed.