Research status and development directions of intelligent drilling fluid technologies

By reviewing the current status of drilling fluid technologies with primary intelligence features at home and abroad, the development background and intelligent response mechanisms of drilling fluid technologies such as variable density, salt response, reversible emulsification, constant rheology, shape memory loss prevention and plugging, intelligent reservoir protection and in-situ rheology control are elaborated, current issues and future challenges are analyzed, and it is pointed out that intelligent material science, nanoscience and artificial intelligence theory are important methods for future research of intelligent drilling fluid technology of horizontal wells with more advanced intelligent features of “self-identification, self-tuning and self-adaptation”. Based on the aforementioned outline and integrated with the demands from the drilling fluid technology and intelligent drilling fluid theory, three development suggestions are put forward: (1) research and develop intelligent drilling fluids responding to variable formation pressure, variable formation lithology and fluid, variable reservoir characteristics, high temperature formation and complex ground environmental protection needs; (2) establish an expert system for intelligent drilling fluid design and management; and (3) establish a real-time intelligent check and maintenance processing network.