Carbon microspheres prepared from soluble starch hydrothermal carbonization for extending thermal stability of water-based drilling fluid.

This study employed hydrothermal carbon microspheres (HCMs) as high-temperature stabilizers in drilling fluids. The HCMs were synthesized through a green hydrothermal carbonization method, using soluble starch as the precursor. The impact of HCMs on the thermal stability of xanthan, polyanionic cellulose and synthetic polymer solutions was assessed by comparing their rheological changes before and after thermal aging.

A polymer microsphere emulsion as a high-performance shale stabilizer for water-based drilling fluids.

Interest in using nanomaterials to improve shale stability during drilling operations has been increasing. Herein, a polymer microsphere emulsion (PME) as a high-performance shale stabilizer for water-based drilling fluids (WDFs) was prepared emulsion polymerization. The particle sizes in PME in aqueous solution ranged from 90 to 320 nm.