Green directional drilling fluid composition
AssigneeHarr Technologies, LLC
InventorRobert E. Harr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A drilling fluid composition for horizontal directional drilling is a flowable aqueous slurry of biodegradable, non-toxic, preferably edible plant particles. The particle size of the plant-derived particles depends on the drill bit used. The particles should be small enough not to clog the fluid jet orifices in normal use. The slurry is pumped through to the drill bit in a warm or preferably hot state, e.g. 80-100° C. After ejection, the slurry cools rapidly, causing solidification and creating a lining on the tunnel wall.
Claims14
A method of drilling a bore hole in the ground, comprising:
- connecting a drill head to a drill string operable by a drilling machine, the drill head having internal passages therein ending in orifices for ejection of drilling fluid;
- making a supply of drilling fluid comprising a slurry of water and particles obtained from edible plants, which particles are sized to fit through the drill head orifices without clogging;
- heating the drilling fluid;
- drilling a hole through the ground in a substantially horizontal direction by movement of the drill head and drill string in a lengthwise direction of the hole while rotating the drill string in order to rotate the drill head;
- during the drilling step, flowing the heated drilling fluid to the drill head passages so that the drilling fluid is ejected from the orifices;
- and
- upon cooling of the drilling fluid in contact with a wall of the borehole, forming a layer of solids on the wall of the borehole upon congealing of the drilling fluid.
A drilling fluid composition usable in horizontal directional drilling, consisting essentially of from 10% to 50% by weight of plant particles having a size to pass through drill head orifices, and the balance is essentially water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.