Drilling Fluid Additive for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rheology modifiers for drilling fluids lack thermal stability and often cause undesirable changes in plastic viscosity and gel strength, failing to maintain or increase yield point effectively at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A rheology modifying additive comprising an amine salt of a trimer acid with 30-72 carbon atoms and an amine salt of a monocarboxylic fatty acid with 6-30 carbon atoms, which increases yield point and low shear viscosity without significantly altering plastic viscosity or gel strength, even at elevated temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional rheology modifiers are used to increase yield point, then yield point is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the rheology modifier by specifying precise carbon atom ranges (C16-C22 for monocarboxylic acid, C36-C72 for trimer acid) and molecular weight parameters (250-500 for monocarboxylic acid salt, 500-2000 for trimer acid salt). These parameter changes enable the additive to maintain yield point enhancement while achieving thermal stability at high temperatures, resolving the contradiction between yield point improvement and thermal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite rheology modifier consisting of two distinct components: an amine salt of a monocarboxylic fatty acid and an amine salt of a trimer acid. This composite structure combines the yield-point-enhancing properties of the monocarboxylic component with the thermal stability contributions of the trimer acid component, thereby achieving both improved yield point and enhanced thermal stability simultaneously.
2Strength
If conventional rheology modifiers are used to increase yield point, then yield point is improved, but plastic viscosity is adversely altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular parameters of the rheology modifier components, specifically the carbon atom count (C16-C22 and C36-C72) and molecular weight ranges, to achieve selective modification of rheological properties. These parameter changes enable preferential enhancement of yield point while minimizing impact on plastic viscosity, resolving the contradiction between improving yield point and maintaining plastic viscosity stability.
3Strength
If conventional rheology modifiers are used to increase yield point, then yield point is improved, but gel strength is adversely altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise molecular weight parameters (250-500 for monocarboxylic acid salt, 500-2000 for trimer acid salt) and carbon atom ranges to control the interaction mechanisms between the rheology modifier and drilling fluid components. These parameter changes enable selective enhancement of yield point while maintaining gel strength within acceptable ranges, resolving the contradiction between yield point improvement and gel strength stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling fluid for drilling gas or oil wells including: at least one oleaginous base fluid; at least one inorganic thixotropic agent; at least one of water or brine; at least one emulsifier; optionally at least one wetting agent; optionally at least one material which imparts alkalinity in the drilling fluid; optionally at least one weighting material; and a rheology modifying additive; wherein the rheology modifying additive, prior to addition to the drilling fluid, includes: (i) an amine salt of a trimer acid, the trimer acid having from about 30 to about 72 carbon atoms; and (ii) an amine salt of a monocarboxylic fatty acid, the monocarboxylic fatty acid having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, optionally wherein the monocarboxylic fatty acid includes at least one of: (a) at least one saturated carboxylic; or (b) at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid.