<![CDATA[Swelling shale is one of the most common problems encountered in oil and gas drilling operations. Potassium chloride (KCl) is widely applied as a shale inhibitor due to its ionic inhibition mechanism; however, excessive KCl concentrations can have detrimental effects on drilling mud performance. This study examines the potential of nanosilica derived from geothermal industrial waste as a substitute for KCl. Five mud samples were tested: base fluid, 1% nanosilica, 3% nanosilica, 1% KCl, and 3% KCl. The samples were evaluated through a series of physical property tests, including density, rheology, filtration loss, pH, methylene blue test (MBT), K⁺ concentration, and Cl⁻ concentration. Swelling-related parameters were also assessed using Linear Swelling Meter (LSM), accretion tests, and erosion tests under both before hot rolling (BHR) and after hot rolling (AHR) conditions at 200°F for 16 hours. The results indicate that nanosilica improved rheological properties and reduced shale swelling compared to the base fluid. Meanwhile, the 1% KCl formulation demonstrated strong performance in LSM and erosion tests. Overall, nanosilica shows potential as a partial substitute for KCl as a shale inhibitor; however, surface modification and field-scale validation are recommended for further confirmation.]]>
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