Int. J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol., Vol. 8, No. 3, Sep. 2012, pp.

171-174

Effect of Polyanionic Cellulose Polymer Nanoparticles on

Rheological Properties of Drilling Mud
M. Fereydouni1 , S. Sabbaghi1*, R. Saboori2 , S. Zeinali1

1- Nano Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Advanced Technologies, Shiraz University,

Shiraz, I. R. Iran
2- Chemical and Petroleum Engineering School, Shiraz University, Shiraz, I. R. Iran

(*) Corresponding author: : sabbaghi@shirazu.ac.ir

(Received:25 May 2012 and Accepted: 15 Aug. 2012)

Abstract:
Polyanionic cellulose polymer is used as an additive in drilling mud in order to decrease water loss and mud-
cake-thickness. In this study effect of bulk and nanosize polyanionic cellulose on water loss and mud-cake-
thickness in mud drilling is investigated. Polyanionic cellulose nanoparticles are made by using of ball milling.
Size of nanoparticles is measured by Particle size analyzer. Polyanionic cellulose and polyanionic cellulose
nanoparticles which were prepared by Hamilton batch mixer and with certain percent suggested by API, were
added to water-based mud drilling. Filter press system is used to measure the amount of water loss and mud
cake thickness. It was found that adding polyanionic cellulose nanoparticles in comparison with conventional
polyanionic cellulose resulted in desirable reduction of amount of water loss and mud cake thickness.
Keywords: Polyanionic cellulose, Nanoparticles, Mud drilling, Water loss, Mud cake thickness

1. INTRODUCTION Most of these additives have distinct properties that

Any of a number of liquid and gaseous fluids and
mixtures of fluids and solids (as solid suspensions,
mixtures and emulsions of liquids, gases and solids)
used in operations to drill boreholes into the earth.
Classifications of drilling fluids has been attempted
in many ways, often producing more confusion
than insight. One classification scheme, given here,
is only based on the mud composition by singling
out the component that clearly defines the function
and performance of the fluid: (1) water-based, (2)
oil-based and (3) gaseous (pneumatic). Each has
a variety of subcategories that overlap each other
considerably. [1, 2].
Just as drilling fluids are integral to the borewell
drilling process, additives that are very much a part
of their composition, have a unique role to play.
specifically help in countering certain challenges
encountered during the drilling process. They help
in accomplishing the drilling work with efficiency
and precision. They also help in minimizing human
hazards. [3, 4, 5].
PAC is one of the popular additives being
increasingly considered for easing the challenges
associated with borehole drilling mechanisms. PAC
is basically a technical grade, low viscosity, and
dispersible additive. Chemically, it is a Polyanionic
Cellulose compound. It reduces the API filtration
rate through minimum enhancement in viscosity
with respect to aqueous drilling fluids.
Nanotechnology is the understanding and control
of matter at the nanoscale, approximately at
dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers, where
unique phenomena enable novel applications. It

171
 can be used to solve a lot of problems associated 2. EXPERIMENTAL
with drilling engineering. The nanoparticles have
high area to volume ratio which gives them a 2.1. Material
high surface area for interaction with surrounding Bentonite and Polyanionic Cellulose (PAC) were
medium, hence for any application the quantity both highly pure.
of nanoparticles required will be less and hence
there is cost advantage when using nanoparticles. 2.2. Preparation of PAC nanoparticles
The applications of nanoparticles in drilling fluids
are mainly to form a thin layer of non-erodible Ball milling with high energy production and
and impermeable nanoparticles membrane around transferring the energy to the balls, causes the
the wellbore which prevents common problems nanoparticles to be produced according to the
like clay swelling, spurt loss and mud loss due to shear stresses forced with the balls. The amount
circulation [6]. of energy depends on slipping velocity, size and
Nanoparticles required will be less and hence number of balls and residence time in ball milling.
To produce the PAC nanoparticles with the ball
there is cost advantage when using nanoparticles.
milling method, PAC was feed and the mill was
The applications of nanoparticles in drilling fluids
set on 400rpm rotational velocity for about 2hr to
is mainly to form a thin layer of non-erodible and
2.5hr. The temperature of experiment remained at
impermeable nanoparticles membrane around
room temperature. The shear stress inserted by the
the wellbore which prevents common problems
balls on the PAC particles caused the gridding of the
like clay swelling, spurt loss and mud loss due to
PAC particle and production of PAC nanoparticles.
circulation [7].
PAC powders size distributions before entering to
There are different methods for synthesis of
nanoparticles
nanoparticles membrane
membrane around
around are the wellbore
thedivided
wellbore which
which the mill and after exiting from the mill are shown in
nanoparticles.
prevents
These techniques into two Figure 1 and Figure 2.
prevents common
common problems
problems like like clay
clay swelling,
swelling, spurt
spurt loss
loss
categories
and mud loss namely
due to dry and wet
circulation [7]. synthesis methods.
and mud loss due to circulation [7].
Dry synthesis
There
There are
methods consists
are different
different methodsmethods for
of forjet milling,
synthesis ball of
synthesis of
milling,
nanoparticles. micronizer whereas wet
nanoparticles. These techniques are divided into two
These techniques are milling
divided consists
into two
categories
of solventnamely
categories dry
dry and
evaporation,
namely wet
wet synthesis
synthesis methods.
andemulsion/double emulsion
methods. Dry
Dry
synthesis
method,methods consistsfluidized
spray drying, of jet milling,
bed coatingball milling,
and
synthesis methods consists of jet milling, ball milling,
micronizer whereas wet milling consists of solvent
others [8]. whereas wet milling consists of solvent
micronizer
evaporation, emulsion/double emulsion method, spray
evaporation,
Ball milling
drying, fluidizedemulsion/double
can
bedbecoating
used withandemulsion
or without
others method,
[8]. spray
a liquid.
drying,
In thisfluidized
method, beda coating
rotating and others
cylinder
Ball milling can be used with or without a liquid. In [8].
is filled with
Ball millinga rotating
themethod,
this material canto be used
grind withisballs
and
cylinder or without
filled which
with the a collide
liquid.
materialIn
this
to method,
grind and a rotating
balls which cylinder
collide is filled
with
with each other, and the grinding material to be with
each the
other, material
and the
to grind and
grinding balls towhich collideandwith eachshear other, and the
groundmaterial
and exert beshear
ground forcesexert on the grindingforces on
Fig. 1 : PAC particle size distribution
grinding material to be ground and exertcausesshear forces
a lot on Figure Fig.1:1 PAC particle
particlesize
sizedistribution
the grinding material. This method of
material.
the grinding This method
material. causes
This method a lot of friction : PAC distribution
friction and wear in the material so it iscauses
not ideal a for
lot the
of
and
friction
soft wear in
and like
matter the material
wearbiodegradable so
in the materialpolymer. it is
so it is notnot ideal
Thisideal for
for the
method is
thematter
soft
useful soft matter like
of biodegradable
like biodegradable
for formation micro/nano polymer.
meterpolymer.
This
sizedmethodThis is
particles
ormethod
composites
useful is useful
where of
for formation for
the formation
distortions
micro/nano inofthemicro/nano
meter particles
sized due
particles
to friction
ormeter
compositesis notwhere
sized crucial
particlesthe[9].
distortions
or composites in the where
particlesthe due
toIn the
friction present
is not study,
crucial the
[9]. effect
distortions in the particles due to friction is notof PAC polymeric
nanoparticles
In [9]. produced
the present
crucial study,bytheballeffect
milling of on PAC the polymeric
two main
parameters
nanoparticles of produced
water-based-mud
by ball drillingon
milling which
the are main
two mud
In the
cake present
thickness and study,
water the
loss,effect
are of PAC polymeric
investigated.
parameters of water-based-mud drilling which are mud
nanoparticles produced by ball milling on the two
cake thickness and water loss, are investigated.
2.main parameters of water-based-mud drilling
Experimental
which are
2. Experimental mud cake thickness and water loss, are
2.1. Material Fig. 22:PAC
Figure PACnanoparticle
nanoparticlesize distribution
size distribution
investigated.
Fig.section
2 PAC nanoparticle size distribution
2.1. Material
Bentonite and Polyanionic Cellulose(PAC) were both 2.3. Test

highly pure. et al.
Fereydouni,2.3.
172
Bentonite and Polyanionic Cellulose(PAC) were both In Test section
this work the effect of nanoPAC additives on the
highly pure.
2.2. Preparation of PAC Nanoparticles main parameters of water-based-mud drilling which are
In this
mud cakework the effect
thickness of nanoPAC
and water additives on The
loss was investigated. the
2.2. Preparation
Ball milling with of PAC Nanoparticles
high energy production and main parameters of water-based-mud drilling
experiments which were performed on the mud drilling which are
transferring the energy to the balls, causes the mud cake thickness and water loss was investigated.
were proposed by API. The water-based-mud based on The
Ball millingto with
nanoparticles high energy
be produced according production
to the shear and experiments
10gr whichinwere
Bentonite performed
350cc water on wasthe prepared
mud drilling
by
transferring
stresses forced thewith energy to the
the balls. The balls,
amountcauses of energy the were proposed
Hamilton Batch by API.
Mixer. The
PAC water-based-mud
and nanoPAC withbased on
specific
depends on slipping
nanoparticles to be velocity,
producedsize and number
according to theof shear
balls percents
10gr were
Bentonite added
in to mud
350cc drilling.
water was The experiment
prepared by
related to the amount of water loss and mud cake
 2.3. Test section size distribution is in the range of 65nm to
In this work the effect of nanoPAC additives on 850nm with the average of 91nm. The range of
NanoPAC powder of
the main parameters sizewater-based-mud
distribution which drillingwas particle size is narrow and it can be seen that
measured by particle size analyzer
which are mud cake thickness and water device is showed
loss in ball milling method is an appropriate method
Fig.
was2. investigated.
In this figure,The particle size distribution
experiments which wereis in the for nanoparticles production. Having a narrow
range of 65nmonto the
performed 850nm mudwith the average
drilling were of 91nm. The
proposed particle size distribution, the particles have more
range of particle
by API. size is narrow and based
The water-based-mud it can onbe seen
10grthat similar specifications. It should be noted that
ball milling in
Bentonite method
350 is water
CC
an appropriate
was prepared method by for in the manning method accurate amounts for
nanoparticles
Hamilton Batch production.
Mixer.Having
PAC and a narrow
nanoPAC particle
withsize slipping velocity, residence time and also high
specific percents
distribution, the were addedhave
particles to mud moredrilling.
similar temperature control are needed. Because as the
The experiment related to the amount
specifications. It should be noted that in the manning of water slipping velocity is lower, the shear stress on the
loss and
method mud amounts
accurate cake thickness was velocity,
for slipping done with the
residence particles is decreased and the size of the produced
filter press device. In this device air
time and also high temperature control are needed. was used as a particles is increased. Also as the residence time
pressure factor on the mud drilling. The
Because as the slipping velocity is lower, the shear stresspressure becomes lower, the particle size distribution is
onofthetheparticles
device iswas set on 100
decreased psi size
and the for 30 minutes.
of the produced increased.
The temperature remained constant
particles is increased. Also as the residence at roomtime The results of experiments on water-based mud
temperature during the experiment.
becomes lower, the particle size distribution is increased. for PAC and nanoPAC are shown in Figure 3 and
The results of experiments on water-based mud for Figure 4. Increasing the area to volume ratio in
Figure 4: Mud drilling thickness for mud drilling
nanoparticles causes the increase of the ionic group
PAC and nanoPAC
3. RESULT AND are shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.
DISCUSSION
Increasing the area to volume ratio in nanoparticles molecular weights for absorption on the clay particle

surface and attaching the particles to each other
causes
PAC the increase
powder size of the ionic group
distribution which molecular
was measured weights
4. Conclusions
also polymeric nanoparticles cause more colloidal
forbyabsorption on the clay particle surface and
particle size analyzer device is shown in Figure 1. attaching
theInparticles
this Figureto particle
each other sizealso polymeric
distribution is innanoparticles
the rage particle formation by relating with solid particles
In this
which work, PAC
are present in thenanoparticles
mud. Finally, at
the400rpm
amount rotational
of
cause more to
of 1.7mm colloidal
6mm with particle formation
the average by relating with
of 3.03mm. velocity, 2-2.5hr residence time and room temperature
solid particlespowder
NanoPAC which are sizepresent in the mud.
distribution whichFinally,
was the water loss and mud cake thickness is decreased and
were
the mudproduced by thegelball
can preserve milling method.
specification The PAC
for longer
amount
measured of water loss and
by particle size mud cake device
analyzer thickness is is particle
time. size before entering the milling and after exiting
decreased
showed and in the mud can
Figure 2. In preserve
this gel specification
figure, particle for from the mill was measured by the particle size analyzer
longer time. (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). Specific percents of PAC
nanoparticles proposed by API were added to the water-
NanoPAC powder size distribution which was
based-mud. The amount of water loss and mud cake
measured by particle size analyzer device is showed in
thickness was measured by filter press device. Results
Fig. 2. In this figure, particle size distribution is in the
are presented in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 which show that
range of 65nm to 850nm with the average of 91nm. The
existence of nanoparticle causes the amounts of water
range of particle size is narrow and it can be seen that
loss and mud cake thickness to be decreased.
ball milling method is an appropriate method for
nanoparticles production. Having a narrow particle size
5. Reference
distribution, the particles have more similar
specifications. It should be noted that in the manning
[1] Neal J. Adams , pennwell Books, (1991) Neal J.
method accurate amounts for slipping velocity, residence
Adams, pennwell Books,, Drilling Engineering.
time and also high temperature control are needed.
Because as the slipping velocity is lower, the shear stress
[2] Bourgoyne Jr. A. T., Millheim Keith K., Chenevert
on the particles is decreased and the size of the produced
Martin E., Young Jr. F.S., (1991) Applied Drilling
particles is increased. Also as the residence time
Engineering, second Edition.
becomes lower, the particle size distribution is increased.
The results
Figureof experiments on water-based mud for
Figure3:3:Amount
Amountwater
waterloss
lossfor
formud
muddrilling
drilling Figure
Figure 4:
4: Mud
[3] Zhong, drilling
drilling thickness
MudZhengsong thickness for
for mud
Qiu , Weian drilling
mudHuang,
drillingJie Cao,
PAC and nanoPAC are shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.
(2011) Shale inhibitive properties of polyether diamine
Increasing the area to volume ratio in nanoparticles
in water-based drilling fluid, Hanyi, Journal of
causes the increase of the ionic group molecular weights 173
International Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
4. Conclusions
Petroleum Science and Engineering, 78(2) pp.510-515.
for absorption on the clay particle surface and attaching
the particles to each other also polymeric nanoparticles In this
[4] work, PAC nanoparticles
Md. Amanullah , Long Yu,at 400rpm
( 2005)rotational
Environment
cause more colloidal particle formation by relating with velocity, 2-2.5hr
friendly fluidresidence time andtoroom
loss additives temperature
protect the marine
solid particles which are present in the mud. Finally, the
wereenvironment
produced by fromthe ballthemilling method.effect
detrimental The PAC of mud
amount of water loss and mud cake thickness is
particle size before
additives, entering of
Journal the milling and after
Petroleum exiting and
Science
decreased and the mud can preserve gel specification for fromEngineering,
the mill was 48(3-4)
measuredpp.by the particle size analyzer
199-208.
longer time. (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). Specific percents of PAC
4. CONCLUSIONS
In this work, PAC nanoparticles at 400rpm
rotational velocity, 2-2.5hr residence time and room
temperature were produced by the ball milling
method. The PAC particle size before entering the
milling and after exiting from the mill was measured
by the particle size analyzer (Figure 1 and Figure
2). Specific percents of PAC nanoparticles proposed
by API were added to the water-based-mud. The
amount of water loss and mud cake thickness
was measured by filter press device. Results are
presented in Figure 3 and Figure 4 which show that
existence of nanoparticle causes the amounts of
water loss and mud cake thickness to be decreased.
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in water-based drilling fluid, Hanyi, Journal of
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Decreasing of water loss and mud cake thickness
by CMC nanoparticles in mud drilling, International
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Additives in a Surfactant – Polymer Based Drilling
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