Brine-tolerant lubricants and methods for using the same
AssigneeMETSS Corp.
InventorsAdriane Lewis, Courtney Stankavich, Michelle L. Docter, Matthew Nilsen, Kenneth J. Heater
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Brine-tolerant lubricants are provided. The brine-tolerant lubricants may comprise an oil component, a surfactant component, and, optionally, an additive component. In one aspect, the oil component comprises a fatty acid alkyl ester. In one aspect, the surfactant component comprises at least one of an alkoxylated fatty acid and an alkoxylated fatty alcohol. Also provided are methods for increasing the lubricity of a drilling fluid by contacting the drilling fluid with the brine-tolerant lubricants.
Claims20
A brine-tolerant lubricant, comprising:
- (A) an oil component, comprising:
- at least about 90% by weight of a fatty acid alkyl ester having the formula R1—C(O)—O—R2, wherein:
- R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, and
- R2 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
- and
- (B) a surfactant component, comprising at least one of:
- (1) an alkoxylated fatty acid having the formula R1″—C(O)—(O—R3)x—OH, wherein:
- R1′ is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms,
- R3 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and
- X is a number from 3 to 25;
- and
- (2) an alkoxylated fatty alcohol having the formula R1″—(O—R3′)x′—OH, wherein:
- R1″ is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms,
- R3′ is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and
- X′ is a number from 3 to 25.
A method for increasing the lubricity of a drilling fluid, comprising contacting the drilling fluid with a brine-tolerant lubricant comprising:
- (A) an oil component, comprising at least about 90% by weight of a fatty acid alkyl ester having the formula R1—C(O)—O—R2, wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, and R2 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
- and (B) a surfactant component, comprising at least one of:
- (1) an alkoxylated fatty acid having the formula R1′—C(O)—(O—R3)x—OH, wherein R1′ is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl groups having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, R3 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X is a number from 3 to 25;
- and (2) an alkoxylated fatty alcohol having the formula R1″—(O—R3′)x′—OH, wherein R1″ is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl group having 11 to 23 carbon atoms, R3′ is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X′ is a number from 3 to 25.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.