Use of selected fatty alcohols and their mixtures with carboxylic acid esters as lubricant components in water-based drilling fluid systems for soil exploration

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of linear and/or branched fatty alcohols containing at least 12 carbon atoms in the molecule and/or to the use of mixtures of such fatty alcohols with carboxylic acid esters as a lubricating additive in water-based drilling fluids for their use in geological exploration by drilling. The fatty-alcohol-based lubricants or lubricant systems are particularly suitable for use in water-based alkali metal silicate drilling muds which are known to be distinguished by comparatively high pH values. The additives according to the invention combine their lubricating effect with a foam-suppressing effect, i.e. prevent unwanted foaming.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.