A new model for curbing filtrate loss in dynamic application of nano-treated aqueous mud systems

Filter cake formation during rotary drilling operation is an unavoidable scenario, hence there is need for constant improvement in the approaches used in monitoring the cake thickness growth in order to prevent drill-string sticking. This study proposes an improved model that predicts the growth of mud cake thickness overtime with the consideration of the addition of nanoparticles in the formulated drilling fluid system. Ferric oxide, titanium dioxide and copper oxide nanoparticles were used in varying amounts (2 g, 4 g and 6 g), and filtration data were obtained from the HPHT filtration test. The filter cakes formed were further analyzed with scanning electron microscope to obtain the morphological characteristics. The data obtained was used to validate the new filtrate loss model. This model specifically presents the concept of time variation in filter cake formation as against the previous works of constant and definite time. Regression coefficient which is a statistical measure was used to validate the new model and the predicted results were compared with the API model. The new model showed R² values of 99.9%, and the predictions from the proposed filtration model can be said to be more closely related to the experimental data than that predicted from the API model from the SSE and RMSE results.