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.

Interactions between aqueous fluids and clay-containing subterranean formations may be problematic due to issues associated with clay destabilization and migration. Subterranean treatment methods may comprise: providing a clay stabilizing composition comprising an amine-functionalized dextrin compound having 2 to about 20 glucose units linked together with α(1,4) glycosidic bonds, and an amine-functionalized dextran polymer having a plurality of glucose units linked together with α(1,6) glycosidic bonds; introducing the clay stabilizing composition into a subterranean formation bearing a clay-containing mineral; and interacting the amine-functionalized dextrin compound and the amine-functionalized dextran polymer with the clay-containing mineral to affect stabilization thereof. A portion of the glucose units are oxidatively opened and functionalized with at least one amine group at a site of oxidative opening in both the amine-functionalized dextrin compound and the amine-functionalized dextran polymer. The amine-functionalized dextrin compound and the amine-functionalized dextran polymer operate synergistically with one another.

Interactions between aqueous fluids and clay-containing subterranean formations may be problematic due to issues associated with clay destabilization and migration. Subterranean treatment methods may comprise: providing a clay stabilizing composition comprising an amine-functionalized dextrin compound having 2 to about 20 glucose units linked together with α(1,4) glycosidic bonds, and an amine-functionalized dextran polymer having a plurality of glucose units linked together with α(1,6) glycosidic bonds; introducing the clay stabilizing composition into a subterranean formation bearing a clay-containing mineral; and interacting the amine-functionalized dextrin compound and the amine-functionalized dextran polymer with the clay-containing mineral to affect stabilization thereof. A portion of the glucose units are oxidatively opened and functionalized with at least one amine group at a site of oxidative opening in both the amine-functionalized dextrin compound and the amine-functionalized dextran polymer. The amine-functionalized dextrin compound and the amine-functionalized dextran polymer operate synergistically with one another.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, water-based drilling fluids may include an aqueous base fluid and one or more additives. In embodiments, water-based drilling fluids may include a lubricant blend including at least oleic acid and palmitoleic acid. The sum of the volume percent of the oleic acid and palmitoleic acid may be from 0.1 vol. % to 10 vol. % of the total volume of the water-based drilling fluid. In embodiments, water-based drilling fluids may include a lesser melting point fraction of jojoba oil in an amount of from 0.1 vol. % to 10 vol. % relative to the total volume of the water-based drilling fluid. At least 90% of the lesser melting point fraction of jojoba oil may have a melting point less than or equal to 15° C. Methods for drilling subterranean wells with the water-based drilling fluids are also disclosed.

A micronized date tree particle mix loss prevention material (LPM) is provided. The micronized date tree particle mix LPM includes date palm seed particles produced from date palm seeds and date tree fiber particles produced from date tree waste such as date tree trunks. The date palm seed particles may have a size in the range of 1 micron to less than 150 microns. The date tree waste fiber particles may have a size in the range of 1 micron to less than 250 microns. Methods of loss prevention and manufacture of a micronized date tree particle mix LPM are also provided.

A drilling fluid and method for drilling in a coal containing formation. The method includes: providing a mixed metal-viscosified drilling fluid including at least 1% potassium salt; circulating the drilling fluid through the well; and drilling into a coal seam.

A trimodal hybrid particle mix loss prevention material (LPM) is provided. The trimodal hybrid particle mix LPM includes date palm seed particles produced from date palm seeds, scrap tire particles produced from scrap tires, and date tree pruning waste particles produced from date tree pruning waste. The LCM may include date palm seed particles in the range of about 40 wt % to about 50%, scrap tire particles in the range of about 30 wt % to about 40 wt %, and date tree pruning waste particles in the range of about 15 wt % to about 25 wt %. Methods of loss prevention and manufacture of a trimodal hybrid particle mix LPM are also provided.

A trimodal hybrid particle mix loss prevention material (LPM) is provided. The trimodal hybrid particle mix LPM includes date palm seed particles produced from date palm seeds, scrap tire particles produced from scrap tires, and date tree pruning waste particles produced from date tree pruning waste. The LCM may include date palm seed particles in the range of about 40 wt % to about 50%, scrap tire particles in the range of about 30 wt % to about 40 wt %, and date tree pruning waste particles in the range of about 15 wt % to about 25 wt %. Methods of loss prevention and manufacture of a trimodal hybrid particle mix LPM are also provided.

A wellbore servicing fluid comprising (a) a cationic formation stabilizer having (i) a molecular weight in a range of from equal to or greater than 0.05 to equal to or less than 2.0 kiloDaltons (kDa), or (ii) cationic charge functional groups of greater than 2 to equal to or less than 5 cationic charges per molecule, or (iii) both (i) and (ii), (b) an anionic friction reducer, and (c) an aqueous fluid.

Modified asphalt particles contain asphalt and a modifier. The modifier comprises poly-sulfur and free sulfur. The sulfur element accounts for 10-40 weight percent of the total amount of the modified asphalt particles, and the poly-sulfur accounts for 30-70 weight percent of the total amount of the sulfur element. The total particle size of the modified asphalt particle is smaller than or equal to 150 m. The modified asphalt particles have an excellent high temperature performance, and can be used for preparing drilling fluids. Water-in-oil based drilling fluid obtained from the modified asphalt particles has low plastic viscosity, high dynamic shear force, high dynamic plastic ratio, and high emulsion-breaking voltage, and improves the high temperature resistance and cutting carrying capability of a system.