Micro-nano-based drilling fluid has attracted a strong interest due to its attractive properties, and micro-nano composite materials have great potential for developing intelligent drilling fluid. In this study a novel hydrophobic associated polymer based nano-silica composite with core–shell structure was prepared and characterized by PSD, SEM, TEM and ESEM. The results showed that the composite, as a micro-nano drilling fluid additive, possessed excellent properties such as thermal stability, rheology, fluid loss and lubricity. Especially, it could plug the formation effectively and improve the pressure bearing capability of formation significantly. Micro-nano-based drilling fluid has attracted strong interest due to its attractive properties, and micro-nano composite materials have great potential for developing intelligent drilling fluids. In this study a novel hydrophobic associated polymer based nano-silica composite with core-shell The results showed that the composite, as a micro-nano drilling fluid additive, possessed excellent properties such as thermal stability, rheology, fluid loss and lubricity. Especially, it could plug the formation effectively and improve the pressure bearing capability of formation significantly.