Drilling Composition Hydrocarbon Ester Emulsion Rheology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling fluids face challenges in achieving suitable rheological properties without increasing toxicity, and there is a need for more environmentally friendly options that reduce wear on drilling equipment and minimize environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A drilling composition comprising a mixture of linear or branched hydrocarbons and esters, with specific properties to form a water-in-oil emulsion that provides improved lubricity, biodegradability, and reduced toxicity, along with additives to enhance rheological properties and storage stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If reduced toxicity hydrocarbons are used as main component of the oil phase, then environmental compatibility is improved, but rheological properties deteriorate requiring increased structure building agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the oil phase by using specific reduced toxicity hydrocarbons (such as isoparaffins with controlled molecular weight and structure) to achieve both low toxicity and adequate rheological properties without excessive structure building agents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite oil phase system combining reduced toxicity hydrocarbons with carefully selected esters and surfactants to achieve synergistic effects that provide both environmental compatibility and suitable rheological properties
2Device complexity
If heavier oils derived from petrochemicals are used, then rheological properties are improved, but environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the oil phase from heavy petrochemical oils to lighter reduced toxicity hydrocarbons by changing molecular weight, chemical structure, and composition parameters while maintaining functional performance through additive optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts biodegradable hydrocarbon-based drilling fluids that can be environmentally disposed of more easily than heavy petrochemical oils, prioritizing environmental compatibility over long-term stability
3Device complexity
If increased amounts of structure building agents are added, then rheological properties are improved, but toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of structure building agents to minimal effective levels by improving the base oil phase composition, thereby reducing toxicity while maintaining rheological properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes excessive structure building agents from the formulation, retaining only the minimal amount necessary to achieve adequate rheological performance with reduced toxicity
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
The composition enables faster and more efficient drilling operations with reduced equipment wear and improved ecological compatibility, maintaining effective rheological properties and stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
form a water-in-oil emulsion that provides improved lubricity, biodegradability, and reduced toxicity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a drilling composition comprising: I) an organic phase comprising components i, from about 20 wt. % to about 99,999 wt. %, based on the total weight of components i. and ii., of at least one linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic, saturated hydrocarbon, ii. from about 0.001 wt % to about 25 wt. %, based on the total weight of components i. and ii., of at least one ester, II) from 0 to about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of water or aqueous phase, III) from 0 to about 60 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of at least one additive, wherein the sum of the weight components I) to III) is 100 wt %, to a process for preparation of a drilling composition, to uses of a drilling composition, to a drilling system, to a process for making a borehole, to a process for conveying cuttings, to a process for treating a drill head, to a process for production of at least one of oil and gas.