Nanoparticle-densified completion fluids

A method for preparing a completion fluid usable in conjunction with well completion operations associated with subterranean wells, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) selecting a quantity of nanoparticles on the basis of their specific gravity and inertness in relation to corresponding requirements for a particular application;
• and
• b) adding the quantity of nanoparticles to a quantity of base fluid so as to provide for a nanoparticulate-weighted completion fluid,
• wherein the nanoparticles:
• are (i) compatible with the base fluid and the at least one additive type;
• (ii) generally compatible with the well completion operations;
• (iii) possess a mean diameter in the range of from about 1 nm to about 100 nm in at least two dimensions;
• (iv) are dispersible or otherwise suspendable in the base fluid;
• and (v) are operable for densifying the resulting completion fluid composition;
• and wherein the resulting weight of said composition is a function of the size of the nanoparticles, the quantity of nanoparticles, and the specific gravity of the nanoparticles.