Enhancing Rheology and Wettability of Drilling Fluids at Ultra-Low Temperatures Using a Novel Amide Material

Area of Science:

• Geosciences
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Antarctic drilling faces challenges due to extreme temperatures and complex geology.
• Current drilling fluid technology is inadequate for efficient and safe Antarctic exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an amide material (HAS) to improve the wettability and rheology of ultra-low-temperature drilling fluids.
• To address the limitations of existing drilling fluids in extreme Antarctic conditions.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a novel amide material (HAS) using specific raw materials.
• Characterization of HAS using infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic hydrogen spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements.
• Performance evaluation of HAS in drilling fluid at -55 °C, including rheological properties and colloidal stability.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of HAS confirmed by spectroscopic and contact angle analyses.
• 2% HAS significantly improved drilling fluid yield point (2.5 Pa at -55 °C), shear-thinning, and thixotropy.
• HAS increased colloidal rate from 8% to over 76% at -55 °C and maintained high stability.
• Mechanism studies revealed HAS improves organoclay dispersion and forms a gel grid structure, enhancing fluid properties.

Conclusions:

• The novel amide material (HAS) effectively enhances the performance of ultra-low-temperature drilling fluids.
• HAS provides superior rheological properties and colloidal stability crucial for Antarctic drilling.
• HAS is an environmentally friendly, high-performance material suitable for extreme geological exploration.