Lignin-based drilling fluids and related methods
AssigneeLignoSol IP Limited
InventorsDesmond Alexander Somerville, Patrick Dieter Waibel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Drilling fluids or muds are provided for the drilling of a borehole into an earth formation. The drilling fluid or mud may be used for drilling oil and/or natural gas wells in subterranean reservoirs. In some embodiments, the fluid is formed from an additive comprising lignin and at least one biosurfactant produced by at least one strain of bacteria capable of biosurfactant production.
Claims16
A drilling fluid or mud suitable for drilling a borehole, or well into an earth formation, the drilling fluid or mud comprising an aqueous suspension of solid lignin particles and at least one isolated strain of Bacillus selected from the group consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, and combinations thereof, the drilling fluid or mud having a solid content of above about 55%, wherein the aqueous suspension of solid lignin particles has a solid content of solid lignin particles of about 25% or above.
A drilling fluid or mud suitable for drilling a borehole or well into an earth formation, the drilling fluid or mud comprising an aqueous suspension of solid lignin particles and at least one isolated strain of bacteria capable of producing at least one biosurfactant, the aqueous suspension of solid lignin particles comprising lignin nanoparticles and microparticles and having a solid content of solid lignin particles of about 55% or above.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.