Methods of using drilling fluids containing biodegradable organophilic clay
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorJeffrey J. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of treating a wellbore comprise displacing a drilling fluid comprising an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage into the wellbore. Methods of drilling a wellbore comprise: applying torque to a bit within the wellbore and concurrently applying force to urge the bit to extend through the wellbore; and circulating a drilling fluid past the bit to remove cuttings therefrom, the drilling fluid comprising an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage. Methods of preparing a drilling fluid comprise: forming an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage; and combining the organophilic clay with an oil-based fluid.
Claims20
A method of treating a wellbore, comprising:
- providing a drilling fluid comprising a nonaqueous phase and an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage, wherein the quaternary ammonium surfactant comprises a compound generally represented by one of the following formulas:
- wherein M− is an anion, R1 is an alkyl group, R2 is a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, R3 is a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, R4 is a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, and x is greater than or equal to 1 or:
- wherein R is an alkyl group and X− is an anion;
- and
- placing at least a portion of the drilling fluid into the wellbore.
A method of treating a well bore, comprising placing a drilling fluid into the well bore, the drilling fluid having been prepared by steps comprising:
- forming an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage, wherein the quaternary ammonium surfactant comprises a compound generally represented by one of the following formulas:
- wherein M− is an anion, R1 is an alkyl group, R2 is a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, R3 is a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, R4 is a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, and x is greater than or equal to 1 or:
- wherein R is an alkyl group and X− is an anion;
- and
- combining the organophilic clay with a fluid comprising a nonaqueous phase.
A method of drilling a wellbore, comprising:
- applying torque to a bit within the wellbore and concurrently applying force to urge the bit to extend through the wellbore;
- and
- circulating a drilling fluid past the bit to remove cuttings therefrom, the drilling fluid comprising a nonaqueous phase and an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage, wherein the quaternary ammonium surfactant comprises a compound generally represented by one of the following formulas:
- wherein M− is an anion, R1 is an alkyl group, R2 is a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, R3 is a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, R4 is a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, and x is greater than or equal to 1 or:
- wherein R is an alkyl group and X− is an anion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.