Role of drilling fluids in performance within gas hydrate-forming conditions

Formation and growth of hydrates in subsea wells pose tremendous operational challenges, including blockages in the wellbore, wellbore pressure fluctuations, and increasing other non-productive time. Thermal inhibitors such as methanol and glycols, and LDHIs (low-dosage hydrate inhibitors) such as kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs) and anti-agglomerants (AAs) are the conventional approaches used for hydrate prevention. Recent investigations have instead focused on formulating drilling fluids with inhibitors for maximum hydrate suppression effects while maintaining acceptable rheological properties. The current formulations of drilling fluids contain a variety of additives, including salts, polymers, surfactants, and nanoparticles, which aim to prevent hydrate formation and control fluid response in high-pressure, low-temperature situations. These additives have been developed in combination with WBMs and OBMs to increase their hydrate inhibition capacities. Nonetheless, present formulations have significant drawbacks concerning environmental concerns, lessened long-term efficiencies, and rheological compromise. Results from this study shall indicate the advances in the development of drilling fluid rheology and inhibition of gas hydrate formation. The new formulations would enhance viscosity and yield stress and gel strength while preventing hydrate nucleation and agglomeration by introducing a multitude of polymeric additives, surfactants, and nanoparticle solutions. Gas hydrates will be synthesized inside high-pressure reactors under controllable environmental conditions before being subjected to the action of different drilling fluids, thus enabling measurement of their effect on formation and stability. Then the effectiveness of these formulations is to be ascertained with respect to hydrate inhibition for safer and efficient land and offshore drilling operations.