Spotting Fluid Composition for Drill String Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drill string sticking issues in subterranean operations are costly and time-consuming, with existing spotting fluids facing compatibility issues with stringent environmental regulations, limiting their effectiveness in regions like the North Sea.
Innovation Solution
A spotting fluid composition comprising a water insoluble external phase fluid, a water soluble internal phase fluid, and an ether carboxylic acid emulsifying agent, along with optional viscosifiers, weighting agents, and wetting agents, which forms an emulsion to act as a lubricant and dehydrate filter cakes, reducing differential sticking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spotting fluids are used to reduce drill string sticking, then lubrication and filter cake dehydration effectiveness is improved, but environmental compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of spotting fluids by replacing traditional emulsifying agents (like calcium carbonate and barium sulfate) with environmentally compatible alternatives such as ether carboxylic acids and fatty acid esters. This maintains the fluid's lubrication and dehydration effectiveness while improving environmental compatibility for regional disposal standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite spotting fluid formulations combining water-insoluble external phase fluids (like isobutyl oleate) with water-soluble internal phase fluids (like glycerin) and environmentally compatible emulsifying agents. This composite structure achieves both functional effectiveness and environmental compliance that single-component fluids cannot provide.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If emulsifying agents compatible with environmental regulations are used, then environmental compatibility is improved, but spotting fluid effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular structure parameters of emulsifying agents by selecting ether carboxylic acids with specific chain lengths (C12-C22) and fatty acid esters with controlled carbon numbers. These parameter adjustments ensure sufficient emulsification strength and film-forming capability while maintaining environmental compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fatty acid esters and ether carboxylic acids as intermediary substances that bridge the hydrophobic external phase and hydrophilic internal phase. These intermediaries provide adequate emulsification performance while being biodegradable and environmentally compatible, replacing traditional non-compatible emulsifiers.
3Ease of operation
If differential sticking force is reduced through spotting fluid application, then drill string mobility is improved, but fluid composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spotting fluid into distinct functional components: water-insoluble external phase (provides lubrication), water-soluble internal phase (provides dehydration), and emulsifying agents (maintain stability). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall formulation approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops multi-functional spotting fluid compositions where a single formulation provides both lubrication (reducing differential sticking) and dehydration (managing filter cake) capabilities. This universality reduces the need for multiple specialized fluids and simplifies operational procedures despite the complex functional requirements.
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 effectively reduces drill string sticking by providing lubrication and dehydration of filter cakes, while meeting environmental standards, thus enhancing operational efficiency and compliance.
Implementation Method 1
A spotting fluid composition comprises a water insoluble external phase fluid; a water soluble internal phase fluid; and an ether carboxylic acid emulsifying agent
Implementation Method 2
Spotting fluids may act to assist in reducing the differential sticking problem encountered by drill strings by, among other things, acting as a lubricant
Implementation Method 3
Spotting fluids may act to assist in reducing the differential sticking problem encountered by drill strings by, among other things, acting as a lubricant and/or by dehydrating the filter cake formed around the stuck portion of the drill string
Data Source
AI summary
Fluids and associated methods useful in subterranean applications are provided. Compositions are provided that may be useful in subterranean applications for addressing, among other things, drill string sticking problems. More particularly, spotting fluid compositions are provided having a water insoluble external phase fluid; a water soluble internal phase fluid; and an ether carboxylic acid emulsifying agent. Additional optional components may be used, such as viscosifiers, weighting agents, and wetting agents.