Towards recent tendencies in drilling fluids: application of carbon-based nanomaterials

Abstract

Recently, the role of carbon nanomaterials has been widely demonstrated in various industrial applications. Due to their unique chemical, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties, they have been utilized to improve drilling fluids' efficacy and operational cost. The graphene-based nanomaterials are employed as a powerful alternative for oil and gas industry issues. This review compiles the role of various carbon-based nanomaterials and their impact on the oil and gas industry, particularly on the rheological properties of drilling fluids. A comprehensive explication of recent progress in carbon-based nanomaterials for the drilling industry is presented. It entails important features of drilling fluids, such as the effects of temperature, pH, and chemical additives. The effects of these carbon-based nanomaterials were also evaluated for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and rheological behavior. Rheological properties, such as plastic viscosity (PV), yield point (YP), gel strength (GS), filtrate loss (FL), and mud cake thickness (MCT), were analyzed using various types of graphenoids, such as graphene, graphene oxide and carbon nanoplates. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives of the carbon based nanomaterials applications are outlined.

Keywords

• Nanomaterials
• Graphene oxide
• Rheological properties
• Water-based drilling fluids
• Filtration