The Potential of Nanotechnology in Petroleum Industry with Focus on Drilling Fluids

This paper aims at highlighting potential benefits that can be achieved by using nanotechnology and nanoparticles in petroleum industry particularly in the field of drilling fluids. Firstly, it throws light on the application of nanotechnology in different disciplines of oil and gas industry such as exploration, drilling, reservoir protection, hydrocarbon recovery and processing, which is extensively covered in this paper. Several revolutionary changes can be made in drilling industry with the help of nanotechnology. It can bring benefits to the industry in various manners such as improving the quality of mud cake, decreasing the frictional resistance in the well, minimizing the risk of pipe sticking, establishing borehole stability, preventing reservoir from formation damage, and augmenting the recovery of oil and gas. Researchers have tested the application of nanoparticles in drilling fluids and have concluded with very promising results in terms of reduction in torque and drag, stabilizing the well bore, controlling fluid loss and improving hole cleaning efficiency. A comparison between conventional and nanodrilling fluids is presented to illustrate the impact of nanoparticles in drilling fluids.