Described herein are methods of enhancing the rheological properties of a colloidal mineral suspension in a liquid with high-intensity acoustical energy. In some examples, the colloidal mineral suspension may be dehydrated after treatment with high-intensity acoustical energy.

Described herein are methods of enhancing the rheological properties of a colloidal mineral suspension in a liquid with high-intensity acoustical energy. In some examples, the colloidal mineral suspension may be dehydrated after treatment with high-intensity acoustical energy.

Methods and compositions for modified well fluids. One method including combining an amount of a synthetic functionalized additive with an intermediate well fluid composition to form a synthetic functionalized additive-containing well fluid composition; the synthetic functionalized additive comprising a synthetic layered magnesium silicate that is covalently bonded to a functional group, and the intermediate well fluid composition comprising a water-based continuous phase with solid particles, wherein the synthetic functionalized additive increases suspension stability of the solid particles versus a well fluid composition comprising the solid particles without the synthetic functionalized additive.

Methods and compositions for modified well fluids. One method including combining an amount of a synthetic functionalized additive with an intermediate well fluid composition to form a synthetic functionalized additive-containing well fluid composition; the synthetic functionalized additive comprising a synthetic layered magnesium silicate that is covalently bonded to a functional group, and the intermediate well fluid composition comprising a water-based continuous phase with solid particles, wherein the synthetic functionalized additive increases suspension stability of the solid particles versus a well fluid composition comprising the solid particles without the synthetic functionalized additive.

A method for controlling loss circulation in a subterranean formation and a convertible drilling mud operable to convert into a solid gel lost circulation material. The method includes circulating in a wellbore a nanosilica drilling fluid having a pH in a range of from about 8 to about 11 and a gel pH of less than 8, where the nanosilica drilling fluid includes an aqueous-based drilling mud, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion, and at least one additive. The method also includes introducing into the nanosilica drilling fluid an amount of a chemical activator sufficient to produce a convertible drilling mud where the chemical activator is an acid and the pH of the convertible drilling mud is less than the gel pH. The method also includes allowing the convertible drilling mud to convert into a solid gel lost circulation material.

A method for controlling loss circulation in a subterranean formation and a convertible drilling mud operable to convert into a solid gel lost circulation material. The method includes circulating in a wellbore a nanosilica drilling fluid having a pH in a range of from about 8 to about 11 and a gel pH of less than 8, where the nanosilica drilling fluid includes an aqueous-based drilling mud, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion, and at least one additive. The method also includes introducing into the nanosilica drilling fluid an amount of a chemical activator sufficient to produce a convertible drilling mud where the chemical activator is an acid and the pH of the convertible drilling mud is less than the gel pH. The method also includes allowing the convertible drilling mud to convert into a solid gel lost circulation material.

Methods and compositions including treatment fluids that include geopolymers for use in subterranean formations are provided. The methods of the present disclosure include introducing a treatment fluid including a geopolymer material into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein the geopolymer material includes an aluminosilicate source, a metal silicate source, an activator, and water; contacting a first fluid present in the wellbore with the treatment fluid; and allowing the treatment fluid to displace at least a portion of the first fluid from at least a portion of the wellbore.

Methods and compositions including treatment fluids that include geopolymers for use in subterranean formations are provided. The methods of the present disclosure include introducing a treatment fluid including a geopolymer material into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein the geopolymer material includes an aluminosilicate source, a metal silicate source, an activator, and water; contacting a first fluid present in the wellbore with the treatment fluid; and allowing the treatment fluid to displace at least a portion of the first fluid from at least a portion of the wellbore.

A magnetic drilling mud for use in a well, the magnetic drilling mud including water; bentonite; magnetic micro-particles; and an anionic surfactant that prevents separation of the bentonite and the magnetic micro-particles in the water. The magnetic micro-particles have a diameter less than 100 μm.

A magnetic drilling mud for use in a well, the magnetic drilling mud including water; bentonite; magnetic micro-particles; and an anionic surfactant that prevents separation of the bentonite and the magnetic micro-particles in the water. The magnetic micro-particles have a diameter less than 100 μm.