Glycol Ether Thermal Thickening in Invert Emulsion Drilling Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drilling fluids used in subterranean formations face challenges in maintaining optimal viscosity at elevated temperatures, leading to issues such as sticking of the drill string and lost circulation problems, while existing additives like organophilic clays require vigorous agitation and may not effectively increase low-shear viscosity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a glycol ether additive into oil-based invert emulsion fluids to increase low-shear viscosity at temperatures between 120°F and 500°F without significantly affecting high-shear viscosity, thereby enhancing the fluid's ability to suspend barite and other weighting agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If organophilic clays are used as viscosity-building agents, then viscosity increases, but vigorous agitation is required and low-shear viscosity may not be effectively increased

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveviscosityVSAvoidagitation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the viscosity-building agent from organophilic clays to glycol ether compounds. This parameter change eliminates the need for vigorous agitation while effectively increasing both high-shear and low-shear viscosities, particularly at elevated temperatures between 120°F and 500°F.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs glycol ether additives that can be easily added and mixed into the drilling fluid without requiring complex preparation or vigorous agitation. These additives provide immediate viscosity enhancement and can be adjusted or removed more easily than clay-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If viscosity is increased to support drill cuttings and suspend weighting agents, then carrying capacity improves, but drill string sticking and lost circulation problems increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrying capacityVSAvoiddrill string sticking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively increasing low-shear viscosity to improve suspension characteristics while maintaining appropriate high-shear viscosity for circulation. The glycol ether additive provides differential viscosity enhancement that targets specific rheological requirements without uniformly increasing viscosity across all shear conditions, thereby avoiding drill string sticking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If solids are added to increase viscosity and carrying capacity, then fluid rheology improves, but drilling rate decreases and filter cake formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveviscosityVSAvoiddrilling rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical solids (clays and other solid viscosifiers) with a chemical additive system based on glycol ethers. This substitution achieves viscosity enhancement through molecular interactions rather than solid particle suspension, eliminating the need for vigorous agitation and avoiding the productivity penalties associated with solid-containing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 glycol ether additive effectively increases low-shear viscosity at elevated temperatures, improving the fluid's ability to suspend barite or other weighting materials for extended periods, while maintaining appropriate circulating density, thus aiding in efficient drilling operations.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a glycol ether additive into oil-based invert emulsion fluids to increase low-shear viscosity at temperatures between 120°F and 500°F

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal thickening:

Data Source

PatentUS10435612B2Thermal thickening in invert emulsion treatment fluids

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Among the methods provided is a method comprising: providing an oil-based fluid formed by combining components that comprise a glycol ether additive comprising a glycol ether, wherein the glycol ether additive substantially increases the low-shear viscosity of the oil-based fluid at temperatures between approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 degrees Celsius) and 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius); and using the oil-based fluid to drill at least a portion of a well bore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation.