Application of Nanomaterials in Drilling and Completion Operations-Juniper Publishers
Juniper Publishers
Abstract
This paper reviews the recent challenges faced in
oil and gas operations specifically the drilling and completion sector.
The application of nanomaterials in drilling and completion operations
in mitigating these challenges were analyzed as well as the factors
retarding the growth of the application of this emerging technology.
Introduction
Nanomaterials are now a growing trend in this
current age of technology. Its applications have cut across different
kinds of sectors of the modern age industries. According to the US
Foresight Institute, Nanomaterials can be defined as a group of emerging
technologies in which the structure of matter is controlled at the nano
scale to produce novel materials and devices that have useful and
unique properties. This also brings about the creation of new materials
with enhanced properties such as mechanically, optically, magnetically
and many others. The oil and gas have also capitalized on this new
technology to help to improve upon the operations in oilfields.
Drilling and completion challenges are encountered in a lot of oilfields. Some of these problems are
The ineffectiveness of the conventional tools to
withstand adverse environmental conditions, shale instability, fluid
loss, bit balling, fines migration, exposure to harmful gases like
hydrogen sulfide and many others [1]. These numerous challenges tend to
place restrictions and income loss constraints on the drilling and
completion operation.
Nanomaterials are basically materials which are
constructed at the atomic or molecular scale with a dimension of a
nanometer, and hence it can be assembled to give a preferred feature or
product [2]. These materials possess some distinct structural features
like large fraction grain boundaries, triple
junction and high surface area per unit mass or volume. The distinctive
structure features of the nanomaterials give it enhanced properties
compared to their bulk materials [3,4]. The nanomaterials have emerged
to be a suitable and efficient solution to major challenges faced in the
drilling and completion operations due to its robust features. It has
been applied in drilling and completion operation to mitigate various
challenges. The areas of application for nanomaterials in drilling and
completion are expressed below.
- High-Performance Drilling Fluids
- Shale Inhibitors
- Coatings
- Lubricants
- Drilling Bits
- Plugging Materials for Reservoir Protection
- Cement
Eventhough the nanomaterials has proven to be themost
efficient solution to various drilling and completion challenges, its
growth seems to be retarded. This emerging material lacks enough support
from the various E&P bodies due its observed cost and risk
associated with the materials [5]. Also, the health, safety and
environmental issues allied to the nanomaterial is still under debate
and there is a little or no available technology to measure the toxicity
of these materials to the environment. All the above summed up to be
the various issues retarding the growth of the application of
nanomaterial in the oil industry [6-8].
Conclusion
This paper summarized the various drilling and completion
challenges faced in the oilfield. Also, the application of
nanomaterials in solving the most of this related issue and the
various factors retarding the growth of this technology was
summarized. It can be concluded that the robustness of the
nanomaterials give it the capacity to withstand and overcome
various challenges faced during drilling and completion
operation
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