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The unforgiving shale formations require special shale inhibitors to mitigate wellbore instability problems. (3–Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane polypropylene-nanosilica composite (PNSC + NH₂) was evaluated in water-based drilling muds (WBDMs) as a clay swelling and hydration inhibitor. The size distribution, functional groups, morphology, and thermal stability of the PNSC + NH₂ were studied. Rheological and filtrate volume tests were carried out to determine the influence of the PNSC + NH₂ on WBDMs. The clay swelling inhibition performance of the PNSC + NH₂ mud system was examined and compared with that of potassium chloride (KCl) and KCl + partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (KCl + HPAM) through clay swelling inhibition test, extended clay swelling inhibition test (inhibition longevity test), and BET analysis test. Four shale specimens were prepared with compactor cell for the measurement of clay …