Biodegradable Gelatin-Carbon Nanocomposites as Effective Shale Inhibitors in Water-Based Drilling Fluids

A novel gelatin-grafted carbon nanocomposite (GGCC) is proposed as a biodegradable shale inhibitor in water-based drilling muds. In this study, GGCC was synthesized by grafting gelatin on carbon nanomaterials. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and linear swelling assessments were conducted to estimate the efficiency of the GGCC shale inhibitor. The outcomes demonstrated that the reduction in the clay swelling depends on the concentration of the GGCC. The linear swelling of the clay reduced by 9% and 32% as compared to water, after addition of 0.2g and 0.5g GGCC respectively. Furthermore, the introduction of GGCC to the water-based drilling fluids prominently enhances fluid loss control. There is a noticeable impact of GGCC on the rheological features of the drilling fluids. The increase in viscosity, yield point, and gel strength confirms improvement in the performance of the drilling fluids after addition of GGCC. This current study reports a novel shale inhibitor to decrease the wellbore integrity by employing biodegradable nanocomposite, presenting a feasible solution for more sustainable drilling practices while retaining productivity.