Optimization of Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide (HPAM) Utilized in Water-Based Mud While Drilling

Water-soluble polymers are becoming increasingly important in various applications, such as stabilizer fluids and drilling muds. These materials are used as viscosifiers and filtration control agents, flocculants, and deflocculants due to their superior properties in increasing viscosity and gelling ability in the presence of crosslinkers. In general, studying the rheological behavior of drilling fluids is of paramount importance to ensure successful well drilling operations. Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide is one of the polymers widely used in water-based muds. The main objective of this study is to optimize the rheological properties of drilling muds through a characterization study of various parameters, including rheological behavior, viscosity, temperature (23 °C, 40 °C, and 60 °C), salinity using KCl and NaCl contents, aging, pH, solubility, and structural analysis using infrared of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide. The study aims to demonstrate the importance of using polymers in drilling muds. The findings revealed that a rate of 3% of HPAM gave better rheological behavior, the influence of KCl (1.5%, 3%, and 4.5%) was greater than that of NaCl (1.5%, 3%, and 4.5%) on polymers, and the aging test showed that the different formulations are stable and maintain their behavior up to 110 °C. The solubility test results confirmed the maximum amount absorbed by polyacrylamide ([CHPAM] = 66.42 g/L) in order to avoid aggregation, gelification, and enhance the drilling mud by utilizing the prescribed contents.