Experimental investigation of the performance of nano-particles on hybrid gel in lost circulation control

Gels that initially exhibit low viscosity and later form a stable three-dimensional structure can be successfully employed in controlling fluid loss during drilling operations. Hybrid gels, composed of a cross-linked polymer gel as the continuous phase and an oil-based fluid as the internal phase, offer a more cost-effective and easily controllable solution than conventional polymer gels. This study investigates the performance of hybrid gels enhanced with nanoparticles (NPs) for controlling fluid loss during drilling operations. To evaluate the impact of environmentally friendly NPs (nano-silica (NS) and nano-bentonite (NB)) on gel behavior, several parameters, including initial and final gelation times (IGT and FGT), crosslinking rate (CR), and final viscosity (FV), were assessed under varying conditions of pH, temperature, and salinity. Additionally, gel stability over time, dynamic stability, and maximum sealing pressure were measured. To assess potential reservoir damage, gel degradation was evaluated in hydrochloric acid solutions with concentrations of 15 wt. % and 28 wt. %. Results demonstrate that NPs significantly enhance the performance of hybrid gels, improving sealing pressure by approximately 20% in fractured and highly permeable porous media. The gels exhibited enhanced stability, resistance to high pressures, and minimal reservoir damage. These findings highlight the potential of hybrid gels with NPs as a promising solution for combating fluid loss and improving drilling efficiency and safety.