Synthesis of Green Nanoparticles from Plants and Their Applications in Water-Based Drilling Fluids

Drilling through unconventional formations necessitates the use of high-performance drilling fluids. Drilling operations are intrinsically linked to the usage of drilling muds, and their efficiency is critical to successful and safe drilling operations. Nanotechnology can be used to improve drilling technology while also addressing technical and environmental concerns during the drilling of unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs. The use of nanofluids can improve the rheological performance of environmentally friendly water-based muds (WBM), reduce filtrate loss volume, and increase shale inhibition characteristics. Research is also going on in the approach of green nanotechnology, which involves the exploitation of different biomaterials for the synthesis of nanoparticles. This minimizes the negative impacts of synthetic procedures that utilize chemicals. The aim of this paper was to explore the potential of applying green nanotechnology to water-based mud. Iron nanoparticles were synthesized by the bio-reduction method. The lack of using chemical reducers makes this process non-toxic and eco-friendly. Hence, it helps towards the realization of the 12th goal, ‘Responsible consumption and production’ of the 17 sustainable development goals established by the UN. Three types of plant extract were used: neem, tulsi, and curry plants. Comparative analysis of the enhanced mud was done for different concentrations of nanofluid by testing its density, filtration, rheology, and electrochemical properties. However, all of them gave similar results, which indicates that the type of plant extract chosen does not influence the quality of mud produced.