Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with nano-particles on the water based drilling fluid

Drilling fluids also known as drilling muds, which are an important part of the circulation process in drilling operations: are critical for the cost, efficiency and success of the drilling process. Recently, researchers have aimed to improve the rheological and filtration properties of drilling fluids by adding additives of various sizes and concentrations to the drilling fluids. In this thesis study; The possible effect of the drilling mud on the rheological and filtration properties was investigated by adding seperately multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) functionalized with nanoparticle materials such as Al2O3, TiO2 and ZnO to the water-based drilling mud (Na-bentonite based) in different proportions (0.001-0.005-0.01 % w/v). Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Al2O3NP/MWCNT, TiO2NP/MWCNT and ZnONP/MWCNT) produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method are characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) device. Water-based drilling muds prepared by adding Al2O3NP/MWCNT, TiO2NP/MWCNT and ZnONP/MWCNT at the rates of 0.001 – 0.005 – 0.01 (% w/v); rheological analyzes such as plastic viscosity (PV), apparent viscosity (AV), breaking point (YP), gel strength (10 seconds and 10 minutes) with the FANN 35 viscosimeter, fluid (filtration) loss and drilling mud cake thickness analyzes were performed in accordance with API standards with American Petroleum Institute (API) fluid loss test equipments. According to the data obtained as a result of the study, the addition of Al2O3NP/MWCNT, TiO2NP/MWCNT and ZnONP/MWCNT positively affected the rheological properties of the water-based drilling mud. In addition, when compared water-based drilling mud without additives; the PV values of the drilling muds with the addition of Al2O3NP/MWCNT, TiO2NP/MWCNT and ZnONP/MWCNT increased by respectively 85.7%; 71.4%; 42.8%, increased AV value by respectively 41.8%; 41.8%; 31.6%, increased the YP value by respectively 20%; 28%; 28%, increased the value of 10 seconds by respectively 16.6%; 8.3%; 25%, increased the value of 10 minutes by respectively 11%; 5.6%; 38.9%, decreased the filtration loss value by respectively 13.8%; 8.6%; 13.8%, at the same time, the cake thickness value increased by respectively 18.5%; 11%; 22%.