Deep Eutectic Solvent Drilling Fluids Reducing Solid Additives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drilling fluids require complex formulations and significant logistical support, often leading to issues like pipe sticking, reduced drill bit penetration rates, and formation strength degradation due to high solids content.

Innovation Solution

The use of deep eutectic solvents, comprising hydrogen bond acceptor and donor compounds, which form a eutectic system with a melting point lower than the individual compounds, allowing for simplified on-site formulation of drilling fluids with reduced solid additives and improved properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional drilling fluids use multiple additives to tailor properties, then the desired drilling fluid properties are achieved, but the solids content increases causing pipes to stick, formation strength reduction, and reduced drill bit penetration rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling fluid property tailoringVSAvoidpipe sticking, formation strength reduction, reduced penetration rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using deep eutectic solvents formed from hydrogen bond donor and acceptor compounds, replacing conventional additives. This allows tailoring drilling fluid properties through controlled hydrogen bonding interactions while maintaining low solids content, thus achieving property customization without the harmful effects of high solids concentration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite drilling fluids by combining deep eutectic solvents with base fluids in specific ratios. The composite system integrates the unique properties of hydrogen bond donor and acceptor compounds to achieve desired rheological and functional characteristics without relying on multiple solid additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex mixtures of additives are used to formulate drilling fluids, then the desired properties are achieved, but significant logistical support is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling fluid property tailoringVSAvoidformulation complexity, logistical support requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional additives into a single deep eutectic solvent system formed by combining hydrogen bond donor and acceptor compounds. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components from site, simplifies formulation procedures, and decreases logistical requirements while maintaining the ability to tailor drilling fluid properties through controlled composition ratios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If deep eutectic solvents are used to reduce solids content, then solids-related harmful effects are reduced, but the drilling fluid must maintain sufficient viscosity and density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolids content related issuesVSAvoidviscosity and density maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the molecular structure parameters of hydrogen bond donor and acceptor compounds to optimize the deep eutectic solvent properties. By selecting compounds with appropriate molecular weights, functional groups, and hydrogen bonding capabilities, the formulation achieves sufficient viscosity and density without relying on solid additives, thus maintaining reliability while reducing solids content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables the creation of drilling fluids with tailored properties, reducing solids content-related issues and enhancing drilling efficiency by maintaining viscosity and density suitable for effective well drilling operations.

Implementation Method 1

deep eutectic solvents may comprise at least one hydrogen bond acceptor compound and at least one hydrogen bond donor compound, which are capable of self-association via hydrogen bond interactions to form a eutectic system having a melting point less than the melting points of the individual compounds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

capable of self-association via hydrogen bond interactions to form a eutectic system having a melting point less than the melting points of the individual compounds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEutectic system formation:

Data Source

PatentUS11608462B2Drilling fluids comprising deep eutectic solvents and methods for drilling wells in subterranean formations
Publication Date: 2023.03.21 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A drilling fluid comprises one or more deep eutectic solvents in an amount greater than or equal to 70 wt. % based on the total weight of the drilling fluid. Each deep eutectic solvent comprises at least one hydrogen bond acceptor compound and at least one hydrogen bond donor compound. A molar ratio of the total moles of the hydrogen bond donor compounds to the total moles of the hydrogen bond acceptor compounds in each deep eutectic solvent is from 0.1 to 1.0. The drilling fluid has a density greater than or equal to 200 kg/m3. The drilling fluid has a viscosity greater than or equal to 0.5 Pa·s when measured at 25° C. Methods for drilling wells in subterranean formations using the drilling fluid are also disclosed.