Eutectic metal alloy in drilling fluids and methods of use thereof
A fluid composition including a mixed metal oxide viscosifier, a clay viscosifier, and solid eutectic metal alloy particles. A method including pumping a drilling fluid downhole in a wellbore. The drilling fluid including water, a mixed metal oxide viscosifier, a clay viscosifier, and solid eutectic metal alloy particles. The method further including allowing the drilling fluid to reach a target zone with elevated permeability and forming a filter cake containing solid eutectic metal alloy particles in the target zone. The method including heating the filter cake to a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the eutectic metal alloy particles, allowing the particles to melt and become liquid eutectic metal alloy particles. The method including discontinuing heating and allowing the filter cake to cool to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the solid eutectic metal alloy particles to produce a strengthened filter cake.
1. A fluid composition comprising:
a mixed metal oxide viscosifier;
clay viscosifier; and
solid eutectic metal alloy particles,
wherein the fluid composition has a pH in a range of from 7 to 12,
wherein the solid eutectic metal alloy is present in the fluid composition in an amount that is in a range of about 50 lbm/bbl to about 300 lbm/bbl; and
wherein the solid eutectic metal alloy particles have an average particles size ranging from 500 nm to 300 microns.
2. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising one or more other viscosifiers.
3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the one or more other viscosifiers comprises at least one polymer viscosifier.
4. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising one or more lost circulation materials selected from the group consisting of: mineral fiber, inorganic sealants, bridging agents, elastomeric sealants, synthetic fiber, swellable polymer, graphite, and cellulose fibers.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the solid eutectic metal alloy particles comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of lead, tin, bismuth, cadmium, and indium.
6. The composition of claim 5 , wherein the solid eutectic metal alloy particles comprise bismuth and tin.
7. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising one or more pH adjusting agents.
8. The composition of claim 7 , wherein the one or more pH adjusting agents comprises soda ash.
9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the fluid composition further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of anionic suppressants, fluid loss agents, weighted material, and combinations thereof.
10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a fluid loss during filtration of 10 ml/30 min or less when tested at 150° F. and 500 psi.
11. A method comprising:
pumping a drilling fluid downhole in a wellbore, the drilling fluid comprising:
water;
a mixed metal oxide viscosifier;
a clay viscosifier; and
solid eutectic metal alloy particles,
wherein the drilling fluid has a pH in a range of from 7 to 12,
wherein the solid eutectic metal alloy is present in the fluid composition in an amount that is in a range of about 50 lbm/bbl to about 300 lbm/bbl; and
wherein the solid eutectic metal alloy particles have an average particles size ranging from 500 nm to 300 microns,
allowing the drilling fluid to reach a target zone, the target zone being an area of elevated permeability,
forming a filter cake in the target zone, the filter cake comprising the solid eutectic metal alloy particles,
heating the filter cake to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the solid eutectic metal alloy particles, causing the solid eutectic metal alloy particles to at least partially melt and become liquid eutectic metal alloy particles,
discontinuing heating the filter cake, and
cooling the filter cake to a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the solid eutectic metal alloy particles, producing a strengthened filter cake.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising combining the solid eutectic metal alloy particles, the mixed metal oxide viscosifier, the clay viscosifier, and the water to produce the drilling fluid.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the mixed metal oxide viscosifier is admixed with the water prior to mixing the solid eutectic metal alloy particles.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the heating is performed using a mineral insulated heater or a thermite heater.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the solid eutectic metal alloy particles comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of lead, tin, bismuth, cadmium, and indium.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the solid eutectic metal alloy particles comprise bismuth and tin.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the melting temperature of the solid eutectic metal alloy particles ranges from 45° C. to 280° C.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the melting temperature of the solid eutectic metal alloy particles ranges from 100° C. to 280° C.