CTAB-stabilized ZnO/Fe2O3 hybrid nanomaterials for potentially synergistic enhanced lubricity in geothermal drilling fluids

Authors

• Anwaar O. Ali, Production department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt
• Mahmoud Fathy Mubarak, Petroleum Application department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt
• Mahmoud Ibrahim Abdou, Production department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt
• Hesham H. Abuseda, Production department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt
• M. M. Abdelhamid, Production department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt
• Maria Romero Lopez, Geoter Company, Madrid, Spain
• Hector Cano Esteban, Geoter Company, Madrid, Spain
• Amany A. Aboulrous, Production department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Cairo, EgyptFollow

Article Type

Research Paper

Corresponding Author

Amany A. Aboulrous

Abstract

Geothermal drilling fluids are essential for efficient drilling operations, and advancements in nanotechnology are enabling the development of innovative additives to enhance their performance. This study focuses on synthesizing a CTAB-stabilized ZnO/Fe2O3 hybrid nanomaterial, uniquely combining the benefits of two metal oxides with surfactant stabilization, using a sol—gel auto-combustion method. This hybrid was incorporated into water-based drilling fluids at various concentrations. The prepared hybrid nanomaterials were thoroughly characterized using a multidisciplinary suite of techniques, including XRD, SEM, FTIR, BET, DLS, zeta potential measurements, and Raman spectroscopy. Also, the effects of the dual-oxide CTAB-stabilized hybrid on the rheological properties, fluid loss, lubricity, and differential sticking were examined. The water-based geothermal drilling mud formulations containing the hybrid were assessed before hot rolling (BHR) and after hot rolling (AHR) according to API standard practices. The results revealed that adding CTAB/ZnO/Fe2O3 nanoparticles improved rheological properties, fluid loss, lubricity, and sticking properties of the drilling fluids, demonstrating interactions with other additives. The experimental data demonstrated significant multi-property enhancements at 0.1 g and 150 ◦C: 2.39% ± 0.0956% differential sticking, and 30.53% ± 1.2212% torque under BHR conditions, and 3.02% ± 0.1208% differential sticking, and 35.38% ± 1.4152% torque under AHR conditions. The results indicate that the CTAB/ZnO/ Fe2O3 hybrid material is a viable additive for enhancing the efficacy of water-based geothermal drilling fluids. Although the laboratory results are promising, the current tests are confined to lab-scale and medium enthalpy conditions. Future research should expand these tests to include real-world geothermal conditions, particularly those involving high-temperature, high-pressure (HPHT) environments, in order to thoroughly assess the thermal stability and operational effectiveness of the CTAB-functionalized ZnO/Fe2O3 hybrid system.

Keywords

ZnO/Fe2O3; Geothermal drilling; Lubricity; Differential pipe sticking

Recommended Citation

Ali, Anwaar O.; Mubarak, Mahmoud Fathy; Abdou, Mahmoud Ibrahim; Abuseda, Hesham H.; Abdelhamid, M. M.; Lopez, Maria Romero; Esteban, Hector Cano; and Aboulrous, Amany A. (2026) "CTAB-stabilized ZnO/Fe2O3 hybrid nanomaterials for potentially synergistic enhanced lubricity in geothermal drilling fluids," Egyptian Journal of Petroleum: Vol. 35 : Iss. 4 , Article 7.
Available at: https://doi.org/Ethics information This study does not involve human participant or animals.

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