Synthesis and Experimental Evaluation of Graft Polymer Nanocomposite in Water Based Drilling Fluid System for Reactive Unconventional Reservoirs

Abstract

Abstract

This experimental work discusses the evaluation of polyacrylamide-grafted-gum arabic/carboxymethyl cellulose nanocomposite as a drilling mud additive for the drilling of reactive shale formations which may lead to wellbore instability. The synthesized nanocomposite was synthesized with free polymerization technique and it was characterized by XRD, FTIR, and FESEM. Then, it was preceded in the development of the WBDMS. Its effect on the rheological and filtration control properties of the formulated mud system was analyzed thoroughly as per API standard procedures. In addition, the shale inhibition property was investigated with hot rolling shale dispersion tests, and slake durability index test. Further, core flow tests were carried out to study the formation damage caused by formulated WBDMS. The obtained results revealed that nanocomposite had shown superior shale inhibition property. The nanocomposite along with other additives in the developed system had shown remarkable rheological and filtration characteristics. It also exhibited low formation damage, and high shale recovery than the PHPA polymer in the formulated WBDMS. Hence, this synthesized nanocomposite may be used as a potential mud additive in the water based drilling fluid system for drilling the reactive shale formations.

Keywords: Graft polymer, nanocomposite, WBDMS

Cite this Article

Saket Kumar. Synthesis and Experimental Evaluation of Graft Polymer Nanocomposite in Water Based Drilling Fluid System for Reactive Unconventional Reservoirs. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2017; 5(2): 34–41p