**6. Summary**

New technologies are often sought to mitigate the problems associated with traditional drilling fluid formulations. The field of nanoscience, where nanoparticles with desirable attributes are evaluated for application, provides an alternative. Natural and synthetic (anthropologic) polymeric materials can be used to prepare nanoparticles. Two types of polymers (i) cross-linked and (ii) linear are common in the oil and gas industry for various purposes. Their shapes and sizes influence applications. They are also biodegradable, can act as antibacterial agents and are economically efficient since a relatively small quantity is required to create the nanogel. They have the potential to modify drilling fluid properties such as plastic viscosity, yield point, gel strength, barite sag, fluid loss volume, filter cake thickness as well as improve thermal and wellbore stabilities. They are also used as pollution filters, for improved lubricity, heavy metal absorption and reduction of torque and drag. They are applicable in diverse conditions both on land and marine environments.
