Nanomaterial-Modified Thermally Expandable Thixotropic Gel for Enhanced Plugging Performance in High-Temperature Fractured Formations

Abstract

Lost circulation in fractured formations remains a critical challenge in petroleum engineering, significantly hindering drilling efficiency and increasing operational risks. To overcome the limitations of conventional plugging materials under high-temperature and complex fracture conditions, a nanomaterial L-modified thermally expandable thixotropic gel system was developed. By incorporating a nanomaterial with strong thixotropic characteristics and multifunctional monomers, multiscale network regulation and interfacial enhancement were achieved. Systematic rheological and performance evaluations were conducted to optimize the formulation, enabling a balanced combination of flowability, structural recovery, and plugging performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the gel exhibits pronounced shear-thinning behavior and excellent thixotropic recovery, ensuring superior injectability under high shear and strong structural integrity under low-shear conditions. The system also maintains good thermal stability below 150 °C and achieves effective plugging across varying fracture scales. In addition, moderate salinity enhances network strength, whereas excessive salt concentration weakens structural stability and recovery capability. This study provides a novel design strategy for nanomaterial-regulated thermally expandable gels and offers a promising solution for lost circulation control in complex fractured formations.