Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration control additive for use in invert emulsion drilling fluids; the method of preparing such additives; the invert emulsion drilling fluid produced therefrom; and a method of drilling, completing, and working over a subterranean well, utilizing such drilling fluid containing the filtration control additive which is utilized in a water-in-oil, emulsion-type subterranean drilling fluid. The additive comprises the pyrolyzed product obtained by intermixing and heating a finely divided humic acid-containing material and a primary amine having an alkyl radical of 10 to 20 carbon atoms or a primary amine having one alkyl-substituted phenyl radical, the alkyl radical having 10 to 20 carbon atoms. The amine may also be a secondary amine having at least one alkyl radical of 8 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration control additive for use in invert emulsion drilling fluids; the method of preparing such additive; the invert emulsion drilling fluid produced therefrom; and a method of drilling, completing, and working over a subterranean well, utilizing such drilling fluid containing the filtration control additive which is utilized in a water-in-oil, emulsion-type subterranean drilling fluid. The additive comprises the pyrolyzed product obtained by intermixing and heating a finely divided humic acid-containing material and a primary amine having an alkyl radical of 10 to 20 carbon atoms or a primary amine having one alkyl-substituted phenyl radical, the alkyl radical having 10 to 20 carbon atoms. The amine may also be a secondary amine having at least one alkyl radical of 8 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surfactant for use in invert emulsion drilling fluids, the invert emulsion drilling fluid produced therefrom, and a method of drilling, completing and working over a subterranean well utilizing said drilling fluid. The drilling fluid comprises an emulsion formed by producing a diamide having from between about 20 mole percent and about 35 mole percent of a polyamine, and from between about 30 mole percent and about 70 mole percent of a fatty acid having from between about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms therein, the diamide thereafter being further reacted with from between about 15 mole percent and about 35 mole percent of a tricarboxylic acid. The total amine value of said oligamide being from between about 10 to about 30, and the acid value of said oligamide being from between about 26 to about 46. When the surfactant is diluted to about 70 w/w percent concentration with a suitable solvent, the ES.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surfactant for use in invert emulsion drilling fluids, the invert emulsion drilling fluid produced therefrom, and a method of drilling, completing and working over a subterranean well utilizing said drilling fluid. The drilling fluid comprises an emulsion formed by producing a diamide having from between about 20 mole percent and about 35 mole percent of a polyamine, and from between about 30 mole percent and about 70 mole percent of a fatty acid having from between about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms therein, the diamide thereafter being further reacted with from between about 15 mole percent and about 35 mole percent of a tricarboxylic acid. The total amine value of said oligamide being from between about 10 to about 30, and the acid value of said oligamide being from between about 26 to about 46. When the surfactant is diluted to about 70 w/w percent concentration with a suitable solvent, the ES.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous drilling fluid composition, a filtration control agent for utilization in said aqueous drilling fluid, and a method of forming a filter cake on the wall of a well for the reduction of filtrate from said drilling fluid, by utilization of a copolymer of: (1) a (meth) acrylamido alkyl sulfonic acid or alkali metal salt thereof; and (2) N, N-dialkyl (meth) acrylamide. The copolymer may be cross-linked with N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide or other appropriate cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Particulate matter is deposited on an inclined vibrating screen. A spray of wash solution is directed onto the cuttings. As the cuttings move down the incline, the vibration agitates the wash solution and hydrocarbon contaminants from the cuttings. The solution is recovered below the screen. Washed cuttings are deposited onto a second inclined vibrating screen unit, where the procedure may be repeated. Recovered washing solution is cleaned and recirculated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous solution of a filtration control agent for utilization in said aqueous drilling fluid, useful in a method of forming a filter cake on the wall of a well for the reduction of filtrate from said drilling fluid, which is effective at high temperatures and pressures, the terpolymer consisting essentially of: (1) an alkali metal acrylate units; (2) hydroxyalkyl acrylate units; and (3) acrylamide.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning system is provided for a mud separator apparatus. Water and mud inputs to a mud pump feeding the separator are respectively controlled by two butterfly valves ganged for cooperation, and operated by a single valve actuator motor. When the mud separator is shut off, a time delay relay is actuated which keeps the mud separator rotor motor on line during a predetermined flush cycle. The valve actuator opens the water valve, and closes the mud valve, permitting the separator to be flushed with water. Activating the start button returns the valve actuator to the position in which the mud valve is open and the water valve is closed, thereby returning the apparatus to the mud separation cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous drilling fluid composition, a filtration control agent for utilization in said aqueous drilling fluid, and a method of forming a filter cake on the wall of a well for the reduction of filtrate from said drilling fluid, by utilization of a copolymer of: (1) a (meth) acrylamido alkyl sulfonic acid or alkali metal salt thereof; and (2) a (meth) acrylamide or N-alkyl (meth) acrylamide. The copolymer may be cross-linked with a quaternary ammonium salt cross-linking agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous drilling fluid composition, a filtration control agent for utilization in said aqueous drilling fluid, and a method of forming a filter cake on the wall of a well for the reduction of filtrate from said drilling fluid, which are effective at high temperatures and pressures, by utilization of a terpolymer of: (1) a monovalent alkali metal salt of acrylic acid; (2) an hydroxy alkyl acrylate; and (3) acrylamide.

Abstract: A continuous process is provided for producing substantially homogeneous, non-tacky solid terpolymers of acrylamide, an alkali metal salt of acrylic acid and a hydroxyalkyl acrylate, and copolymers, optionally cross-linked, of a (meth)acrylamidoalkylsulfonic acid or alkali metal salt thereof and (meth)acrylamide or N-alkyl(meth)acrylamide, by rapidly heating a single phase high solids aqueous solution of the monomers to polymerization initiation temperature immediately prior to depositing a uniform layer of the solution and, at the same time, a solution of a polymerization initiator, onto a moving surface, the surface and the reaction mixture only being heated if necessary to keep the temperature of the polymerizing mixing from dropping substantially below the polymerization initiation temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous drilling fluid composition, a filtration control agent for utilization in said aqueous drilling fluid, and a method of forming a filter cake on the wall of a well for the reduction of filtrate from said drilling fluid, which are effective at high temperatures and pressures, by utilization of a terpolymer of: (1) a monovalent alkali metal salt of acrylic acid; (2) an hydroxy alkyl acrylate; and (3) acrylamide.

Abstract: An aqueous drilling fluid is provided having a lubricant therein consisting essentially of the reaction product of a fatty vegetable oil with 4,4'-thiodiphenol.

Abstract: A reaction process and product obtained thereby, said process comprising reacting a polymerizable monomeric compound containing a polymerizably reactive vinyl group, such as methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, or the like, in an aqueous medium at a pH not greater than about 3.5 in the presence of a ceric salt which is soluble in at least one component of said medium, and an inorganic substrate, such as a clayey substrate, e.g., montmorillonite, or the like, capable of initiating polymerization of said monomeric compound, wherein said inorganic substrate is a reducing agent for said reaction.