Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods of cleaning invert emulsion drilling fluids. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of cleaning a drilling fluid. The method includes cleaning a used invert emulsion drilling fluid that includes drilled cuttings to form a cleaned invert emulsion drilling fluid. The cleaning includes processing the used invert emulsion drilling fluid in a separator to remove at least some of the drilled cuttings therefrom.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separation of oleaginous fluids, aqueous fluids, and solids from drilling or other oilfield emulsions by solvent extraction. A method for separation of oilfield emulsions comprising: providing an oilfield emulsion prepared for use in a wellbore and/or recovered from a wellbore; mixing the oilfield emulsion with at least a solvent to form at least a mixture; and separating the mixture to at least partially recover an oleaginous phase of the oilfield emulsion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a pre-treatment source generates pre-treated oilfield fluid from oilfield fluid, prior to injection into an inverting filter centrifuge system. The pre-treatment source increases an efficiency of separating solids from the injected oilfield fluid. An inverting filter centrifuge coupled to the pre-treatment source generates filtered oilfield fluid from the pre-treated oilfield fluid. Post-treatment may be applied to the filtered oilfield fluid. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separation of oleaginous fluids, aqueous fluids, and solids from drilling or other oilfield emulsions by solvent extraction. A method for separation of oilfield emulsions comprising: providing an oilfield emulsion prepared for use in a wellbore and/or recovered from a wellbore; mixing the oilfield emulsion with at least a solvent to form at least a mixture; and separating the mixture to at least partially recover an oleaginous phase of the oilfield emulsion.

Abstract: Beneficiating particulate additives by removing contaminants or minerals that impact the quality and specific gravity of the particulate additives may be achieved via dry solids separation technologies. For example, an air classifier, an electrostatic separator, and a combination thereof may be used to produce a beneficiated particulate additive comprising less than 40% of drill solids by weight of the beneficiated particulate additive.

Abstract: Disclosed are treatments of recovered commercial solids and use of the treated recovered commercial solids in well treatment fluids. Systems and methods are disclosed for chemically treating recovered commercial solids to remove contaminants and then recycling the recovered commercial solids by using them in a treatment fluid.

Abstract: A process control system can include a vessel, and at least one heat transfer property sensor that measures a heat transfer property of a substance at the vessel. The process control system can also include a monitoring device that receives an output of the heat transfer property sensor, and a process control device that is adjusted in response to the heat transfer property sensor output. A method of controlling a process can include measuring a thermal conductivity of a substance at a vessel, and adjusting the process in response to the measuring.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the oil content for solids recovered from a wellbore is provided. The method comprises providing the solids recovered from the wellbore and measuring the thermal conductivity of the solids recovered from the wellbore using a thermal conductivity probe. The method further comprises using the thermal conductivity measurement to determine the oil content in the solids recovered from the wellbore.

Abstract: Beneficiating particulate additives by removing contaminants or minerals that impact the quality and specific gravity of the particulate additives may be achieved via dry solids separation technologies. For example, an air classifier, an electrostatic separator, and a combination thereof may be used to produce a beneficiated particulate additive comprising less than 40% of drill solids by weight of the beneficiated particulate additive.

Abstract: A drilling fluid conditioning system can include a centrifuge, and at least one heat transfer property sensor that outputs real time measurements of a heat transfer property of a drilling fluid that flows through the centrifuge. A method can include measuring a heat transfer property of a drilling fluid, and determining, based on the measured heat transfer property, an operational parameter of a centrifuge through which the drilling fluid flows. A well system can include a drilling fluid that circulates through a wellbore, and a drilling fluid conditioning system including a centrifuge and at least one heat transfer property sensor that measures a heat transfer property of the drilling fluid.

Abstract: Beneficiating particulate additives by removing contaminants or minerals that impact the quality and specific gravity of the particulate additives may be achieved via dry solids separation technologies. For example, an air classifier, an electrostatic separator, and a combination thereof may be used to produce a beneficiated particulate additive comprising less than 40% of drill solids by weight of the beneficiated particulate additive.

Abstract: Disclosed are treatments of recovered commercial solids and use of the treated recovered commercial solids in well treatment fluids. Systems and methods are disclosed for chemically treating recovered commercial solids to remove contaminants and then recycling the recovered commercial solids by using them in a treatment fluid.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods of cleaning invert emulsion drilling fluids. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of cleaning a drilling fluid. The method includes cleaning a used invert emulsion drilling fluid that includes drilled cuttings to form a cleaned invert emulsion drilling fluid. The cleaning includes processing the used invert emulsion drilling fluid in a separator to remove at least some of the drilled cuttings therefrom.

Abstract: Thermal conductivity measurements of a wellbore fluid may be used to derive the sag of the wellbore fluid (i.e., the inhomogeneity or gradation in particle distribution in the fluid as a result of the particles settling). For example, a method may include measuring a thermal conductivity of a fluid at two or more locations along a height of a vessel containing the fluid that comprises particles dispersed in a base fluid; and calculating a sag of the fluid based on the thermal conductivity at the two or more locations. In some instances, the temperature and pressure of the wellbore fluid may be changed and/or the wellbore fluid may be sheared to investigate their effects on sag.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a pre-treatment source generates pre-treated oilfield fluid from oilfield fluid, prior to injection into an inverting filter centrifuge system. The pre-treatment source increases an efficiency of separating solids from the injected oilfield fluid. An inverting filter centrifuge coupled to the pre-treatment source generates filtered oilfield fluid from the pre-treated oilfield fluid. Post-treatment may be applied to the filtered oilfield fluid. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the oil content for solids recovered from a wellbore is provided. The method comprises providing the solids recovered from the wellbore and measuring the thermal conductivity of the solids recovered from the wellbore using a thermal conductivity probe. The method further comprises using the thermal conductivity measurement to determine the oil content in the solids recovered from the wellbore.

Abstract: Beneficiating particulate additives by removing contaminants or minerals that impact the quality and specific gravity of the particulate additives may be achieved via dry solids separation technologies. For example, an air classifier, an electrostatic separator, and a combination thereof may be used to produce a beneficiated particulate additive comprising less than 40% of drill solids by weight of the beneficiated particulate additive.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separation of oleaginous fluids, aqueous fluids, and solids from drilling or other oilfield emulsions by solvent extraction. A method for separation of oilfield emulsions comprising: providing an oilfield emulsion prepared for use in a wellbore and/or recovered from a wellbore; mixing the oilfield emulsion with at least a solvent to form at least a mixture; and separating the mixture to at least partially recover an oleaginous phase of the oilfield emulsion.

Abstract: A process control system can include a vessel, and at least one heat transfer property sensor that measures a heat transfer property of a substance at the vessel. The process control system can also include a monitoring device that receives an output of the heat transfer property sensor, and a process control device that is adjusted in response to the heat transfer property sensor output. A method of controlling a process can include measuring a thermal conductivity of a substance at a vessel, and adjusting the process in response to the measuring.

Abstract: A drilling fluid conditioning system can include at least one drilling fluid conditioning device, and at least one heat transfer property sensor that outputs real time measurements of a heat transfer property of a drilling fluid that flows through the drilling fluid conditioning device. A method can include measuring a heat transfer property of a drilling fluid, and determining, based on the measured heat transfer property, an oil to water ratio of the drilling fluid. A well system can include a drilling fluid that circulates through a wellbore and a drilling fluid conditioning system, and the drilling fluid conditioning system including at least one drilling fluid conditioning device, and at least one thermal conductivity sensor that measures a thermal conductivity of the drilling fluid.