Abstract: A drilling fluid composition comprising a base fluid, and a shale inhibitor including an ultra-high molecular weight branched block copolymer having the following structure, where monomer A is an anionic monomer, monomer B is a hydrophilic monomer, monomer C is an anionic monomer, monomer D is a crosslinker-divinyl monomer, and -SSCZ ground being a terminal RAFT agent.

Abstract: A drilling fluid comprises an aqueous solution; a clay-based component comprising layered silicate; and a viscosifier additive comprising poly(acrylamide-co-diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (poly(AAm-co-DMAC)) polymer. The polymer comprises a number average molecular weight of from 10,000 g/mol to 2,000,000 g/mol. The layered silicate and poly(AAm-co-DMAC) reacts to form a silicate-poly(AAm-co-DMAC) complex within the aqueous solution. A mass ratio of the poly(AAm-co-DMAC) to the layered silicate is 1 to 8.

Abstract: A method of producing a nanosilica-containing cement formulation, the method comprising the steps of mixing an amount of a determinant nanosilica particle and a functional coating; applying a dynamic initiator to trigger a reversible reaction of the functional coating to produce a reversible cage, where the reversible cage surrounds the determinant nanosilica particle to produce an encapsulated nanosilica; and mixing the encapsulated nanosilica and a cement formulation to produce the nanosilica-containing cement formulation

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A drilling fluid composition comprising a base fluid, and a drag reducing agent including an ultra-high molecular weight branched block copolymer having the following structure, where monomer A is an anionic monomer, monomer B is a hydrophilic monomer, monomer C is an anionic monomer, monomer D is a crosslinker-divinyl monomer, and —SSCZ ground being a terminal RAFT agent.

Abstract: A composition of matter including a mono-facial polymer-grafted graphene particle and an aqueous-based drilling fluid is provided. In the composition, a first side of the graphene particle has a grafted polymer. A method of lubricating a tool surface using the composition of matter is also provided. The method includes providing an aqueous-based drilling fluid, the aqueous-based drilling fluid having a mono-facial polymer-grafted graphene particle, and introducing the aqueous-based drilling fluid into a wellbore such that it contacts a tool surface to form a coated tool. A drilling tool having a mono-facial polymer-grafted graphene particle adhered to its surface is also provided.

Abstract: A drilling fluid comprises an aqueous solution; a clay-based component comprising layered silicate; and a viscosifier additive comprising poly(acrylamide-co-diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (poly(AAm-co-DMAC)) polymer. The polymer comprises a number average molecular weight of from 10,000 g/mol to 2,000,000 g/mol. The layered silicate and poly(AAm-co-DMAC) reacts to form a silicate-poly(AAm-co-DMAC) complex within the aqueous solution. A mass ratio of the poly(AAm-co-DMAC) to the layered silicate is 1 to 8.

Abstract: A method of polymer flooding within a sandstone formation the method comprising: injecting a treatment fluid composition into a wellbore, the treatment fluid composition comprising: a base fluid, and a viscosifier comprising a branched block copolymer wherein the branched block copolymer is a crosslinked, polymerized reaction product of crosslinker C and monomer A and monomer B and monomer D; and increasing hydrocarbon production from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting shale formation during water-based drilling of subterranean formations include s introducing a shale inhibitor to the subterranean formation during the water-based drilling, the shale inhibitor comprising a cationic polymer comprising repeating units of [A-B]. A is a substituted benzene or a substituted triazine of formula (2). B is a N-containing heterocycle. The cationic polymer and a method of making the cationic polymer are also described.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A drilling fluid composition comprising a base fluid, and a drag reducing agent including an ultra-high molecular weight branched block copolymer having the following structure, where monomer A is an anionic monomer, monomer B is a hydrophilic monomer, monomer C is an anionic monomer, monomer D is a crosslinker-divinyl monomer, and -SSCZ ground being a terminal RAFT agent.

Abstract: A drilling fluid composition comprising a base fluid, and a shale inhibitor including an ultra-high molecular weight branched block copolymer having the following structure, where monomer A is an anionic monomer, monomer B is a hydrophilic monomer, monomer C is an anionic monomer, monomer D is a crosslinker-divinyl monomer, and —SSCZ ground being a terminal RAFT agent.

Abstract: An amphiphilic branched star polymer drilling additive includes a crosslinked, polymerized reaction product of crosslinker C, hydrophobic monomer B, and hydrophilic monomer A. The crosslinked polymerized reaction product includes a plurality of block copolymer segments of hydrophobic monomer B and hydrophilic monomer A interconnected via crosslinker C.

Abstract: A method of polymer flooding within a carbonate formation the method comprising: injecting a treatment fluid composition into a wellbore, the treatment fluid composition comprising: a base fluid, and a viscosifier comprising a branched block copolymer wherein the branched block copolymer is a crosslinked, polymerized reaction product of crosslinker C and monomer A and monomer B and monomer D; and increasing hydrocarbon production from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of producing a nanosilica-containing cement formulation, the method comprising the steps of mixing an amount of a determinant nanosilica particle and a functional coating; applying a dynamic initiator to trigger a reversible reaction of the functional coating to produce a reversible cage, where the reversible cage surrounds the determinant nanosilica particle to produce an encapsulated nanosilica; and mixing the encapsulated nanosilica and a cement formulation to produce the nanosilica-containing cement formulation.

Abstract: A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.

Abstract: A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.

Abstract: A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.

Abstract: A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.

Abstract: A method for guiding an untethered measurement device used in a subterranean well ascending from a space provided by a casing and a terminus of a production conduit. The method includes the step of securing a swellable packer radially on an exterior surface of the production conduit at or proximate to the terminus of the production conduit. The swellable packer is in a non-swollen configuration. The method includes the step of deploying the production conduit into the subterranean well to a target depth. The method includes the step of contacting the swellable packer with a fluidic component at the target depth such that the swellable packer transitions to a swollen configuration.