Bentonite (or other clay) water-based drilling fluids incorporating functionalized cellulose nanocrystals are disclosed. Cellulose nanocrystals are modified with tailored surface charges or tailored levels of salt-tolerant polymer grafting, and combined with bentonite (or other clay) nanoplatelets in an aqueous suspension. Thermal performance of drilling fluids can also be enhanced by surface grafting of thermally functional polymers onto cellulose nanocrystals.

GSH Dry Lubricant Additive is, chemically, magnesium aluminum silicate. It is a clay rich in titanium, magnesium, and aluminum. As an inanimate object, it does not “function” per se, but rather its properties are as such that it is highly beneficial to the drilling industry. It has a naturally high lubricity, a high stall torque, high gel strength, but a low plastic viscosity. This means that it effectively cools the bit while drilling, reduces friction in the system, supports cuttings better, but is easier to break out of a static gel strength than traditional engineered muds. Finally, as a high suspendability, low solids content material, it acts as a natural gel-state cement for unconsolidated LCM particles, effectively strengthening the wellbore.

Drilling fluids and methods of making and using drilling fluids are provided. The drilling fluid includes an emulsion comprising an oleaginous phase suspended within an aqueous phase, a clay-based component in the aqueous phase, CaCl.sub.2, KCl, or both in the aqueous phase, and a polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. The polyglycerol-fatty acid complex may be free of covalent crosslinks. The polyglycerol-fatty acid complex may include polyglycerol hydrogen bonded to a fatty acid, and the oleaginous phase may include safra oil and the polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. Methods of producing the drilling fluid include reacting polyglycerol and a fatty acid at a temperature of less than 250° C. thereby forming a polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. The method further includes mixing an aqueous phase, a clay-based component, and the polyglycerol-fatty acid complex to produce a drilling fluid.

A method may include providing a cement composition comprising ground vitrified clay, hydrated lime, and water; and introducing the cement composition into a subterranean formation.

Methods and systems are provided for clay detection, clay typing, and clay volume quantification using downhole electromagnetic measurements conducted by a downhole logging tool on a formation at a low frequency less than 5000 Hz. The downhole electromagnetic measurements are used to determine permittivity data that characterizes permittivity of the formation at the low frequency less than 5000 Hz. The downhole low frequency electromagnetic measurements are nondestructive, and the results indicate it is with high sensitivity to the existence of clays.

A drilling mud containing sepiolite and potassium carbonate and which is free of potassium chloride is useful in high temperature reservoirs, such as geothermal wells.

Methods and compositions for improving the rheological properties of fluids including sepiolite are provided. In one or more embodiments, the compositions comprise a clay selected from the group consisting of: sepiolite, palygorskite, attapulgite, and a combination thereof; and an extender comprising sodium polyacrylate, wherein the extender is present in an amount from about 0.01 lbs/ton of the clay to about 10 lbs/ton of the clay. In one or more embodiments, the methods comprise introducing a treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises an aqueous base fluid, a clay selected from the group consisting of: sepiolite, palygorskite, attapulgite, and a combination thereof, and an extender comprising sodium polyacrylate.

Drilling fluids and methods of making and using drilling fluids are provided. The drilling fluid includes an emulsion comprising an oleaginous phase suspended within an aqueous phase, a clay-based component in the aqueous phase, CaCl.sub.2, KCl, or both in the aqueous phase, and a polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. The polyglycerol-fatty acid complex may be free of covalent crosslinks. The polyglycerol-fatty acid complex may include polyglycerol hydrogen bonded to a fatty acid, and the oleaginous phase may include safra oil and the polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. Methods of producing the drilling fluid include reacting polyglycerol and a fatty acid at a temperature of less than 250 C. thereby forming a polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. The method further includes mixing an aqueous phase, a clay-based component, and the polyglycerol-fatty acid complex to produce a drilling fluid.

A date tree product lost circulation material (LCM) is provided. The date tree product LCM includes date tree seed particles, a first group of date tree waste fibers, a second group of date tree waste fibers, scrap tire particles, an acid-soluble particulate material, marble particles, flaked calcium carbonate, and polymer fibers. The LCM may be mixed with a carrier fluid, such as a drilling mud, to form a fluid pill. Methods of lost circulation control using the date tree product LCM and manufacture of the date tree product LCM are also provided.

A method for finish a drilling operation by reducing the amount of pressure needed to pull a pipe through a borehole is provided. The method generally uses a lubricating clay composition that has a stable volume when exposed to water. The systems generally used to carry out the method comprise various boring machines, pumps, and mixing devices. The lubricating clay composition is added to water to create a drilling fluid, which may be used to lubricate the borehole and reduce the amount of wear on the boring machine as well as speed the progress of the job, especially during the completion, or pulling, phase.