Suspension supporting additive for water-based drilling and completions fluids

A modified well fluid composition, the composition comprising:

• a water-based fluid with solid particles in suspension;
• and
• a synthetic layered magnesium silicate, the synthetic layered magnesium silicate comprising:
• a first functionalized silicate layer, the first functionalized silicate layer comprising a tetrahedral silicate layer and a functional group,
• an octahedral brucite layer, the octahedral brucite layer comprising magnesium oxide/hydroxide, and
• a second functionalized silicate layer, the second functionalized silicate layer comprising the tetrahedral silicate layer and the functional group,
• wherein the octahedral brucite layer is positioned between the first functionalized silicate layer and the second functionalized silicate layer, and wherein the functional group extends from both the first functionalized silicate layer and the second functionalized silicate layer away from the octahedral brucite layer.

A method of making a modified well fluid, the method comprising:

• 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 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, and the synthetic functionalized additive comprising a synthetic layered magnesium silicate, the synthetic layered magnesium silicate comprising:
• a first functionalized silicate layer, the first functionalized silicate layer comprising a tetrahedral silicate layer and a functional group,
• an octahedral brucite layer, the octahedral brucite layer comprising magnesium oxide/hydroxide, and
• a second functionalized silicate layer, the second functionalized silicate layer comprising the tetrahedral silicate layer and the functional group,
• wherein the octahedral brucite layer is positioned between the first functionalized silicate layer and the second functionalized silicate layer, and wherein the functional group extends from both the first functionalized silicate layer and the second functionalized silicate layer away from the octahedral brucite layer.