Pourable Wetting Agent Composition for Low-Viscosity Drilling Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wetting agents used in oil-based drilling fluids are highly viscous, making them difficult to handle and pour at ambient temperatures, complicating the preparation of drilling fluids.

Innovation Solution

Development of pourable wetting agents composed of amidated imidazoline and/or amidated polyamine through condensation reactions with dicarboxylic acids, which maintain desirable performance characteristics while being pourable at ambient temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional wetting agents are used in oil-based drilling fluids, then performance requirements are met, but viscosity is high and pourability is poor at ambient temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepourabilityVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of wetting agents by incorporating specific molecular weight ranges and structural parameters (e.g., polyether chains with 5-20 repeating units, specific hydrocarbon chain lengths) to achieve optimal pourability while maintaining performance. This structural parameter optimization allows the wetting agent to remain pourable at ambient temperatures without sacrificing its functional effectiveness in drilling fluid systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If wetting agent viscosity is reduced for better pourability, then handling is improved, but performance in drilling fluid may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehandlingVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wetting agents are designed as composite molecular structures combining hydrophilic polyether segments with hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains, creating amphiphilic molecules that can simultaneously provide low viscosity for easy handling and high performance for emulsification and drilling fluid stabilization. The specific composition ratios and structural arrangements ensure both handleability and functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 pourable wetting agents exhibit lower viscosity and are effective components in oil-based drilling fluids, providing similar or improved performance compared to conventional agents, facilitating easier handling and preparation.

Implementation Method 1

heating the reaction mixture at a first reaction temperature for a first time period to form a second amidated imidazoline

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation reaction:

Data Source

PatentUS12624272B2Pourable wetting agents and methods associated therewith

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Pourable wetting agent compositions include a first condensation reaction product having a structure represented by the formula R″—NH—CH2—(CH2NR″CH2)a—CH2—C3H4N2—R′;wherein a is 0 or a positive integer; R′ is a C6-C30 hydrocarbyl group; and R″ is-CO—R′ or —CO-A-COOH, provided that at least one occurrence of R″ is-CO-A-COOH; wherein A is a divalent hydrocarbyl group.