Drilling Fluid Linear Olefins Ester-Free Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-aqueous drilling fluids face challenges in biodegradability and toxicity, particularly due to the use of esters which can break under drilling conditions, leading to product volume limitations and potential well failure.
Innovation Solution
A drilling fluid comprising linear internal olefins with 15 to 18 carbon atoms and less than 25% branching, combined with a hydrogenated Fischer-Tropsch derived product, which passes anaerobic biodegradability and sedimentation toxicity tests without the need for esters, allowing for higher product volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If esters are added to overcome product volume issues, then the volume of drilling fluid increases, but the drilling fluid becomes unstable due to ester bond breakdown under drilling conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes esters from the drilling fluid composition entirely, replacing them with a blend of linear internal olefins and hydrogenated Fischer-Tropsch products. This extraction eliminates the harmful ester bond breakdown while maintaining volume through the alternative hydrocarbon blend.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by specifying linear internal olefins with 15-18 carbon atoms and less than 25% branching, combined with hydrogenated Fischer-Tropsch products. This parameter optimization allows achieving both volume requirements and stability without esters.
2Quantity of substance
If linear internal olefins with high branching are used, then product volume is increased, but biodegradability and toxicity performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the branching parameter by specifying less than 25% branching in linear internal olefins with 15-18 carbon atoms. This parameter control ensures the mixture maintains good biodegradability and low toxicity while achieving the required product volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite mixture of linear internal olefins and hydrogenated Fischer-Tropsch products, where each component contributes to both volume and environmental performance. The synergistic combination achieves volume requirements without compromising biodegradability or toxicity characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to drilling fluid comprising one or more linear internal olefin having from 15 to 18 carbon atoms and containing less than 25% branching based on the total amount of the linear internal olefin and a hydrogenated Fischer-Tropsch derived product.