Abstract: Well fluids and methods are provided that can be used for stabilizing a shale formation, especially during drilling of a well into or through a shale formation. The well fluids include: (i) a continuous water phase; (ii) a viscosity-increasing agent, wherein the viscosity-increasing agent comprises water-soluble hydrophilic polymer; (iii) a fluid loss control agent; and (iv) a cyclodextrin-based compound. The methods of drilling include the steps of: (A) introducing the well fluid into a zone of a subterranean formation; and (b) drilling the zone.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the rheology of drilling fluids that is effective for any mud weight “clay-free” invert emulsion drilling fluid, even when drilling at high temperatures. The improved rheology is effected with addition of a silicon oil to the drilling fluid. A nonlimiting example of such a rheology additive comprises polydimethylsiloxane.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method of drilling with such fluid, having improved rheology at low mud weights and high temperatures. The improved rheology is effected with addition of hydrophobic amines, most preferably dimer diamines.

Abstract: Invert emulsion fluids comprising a fatty dimer diamine having 28 to 48 carbon atoms per molecule and an acid or an acid derivative and methods of using such invert emulsion fluids for the treatment of at least a portion of a subterranean formation are provided. The invert emulsion fluids can be suitable for use as, for example, packer fluids and drilling fluids.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method of drilling with such fluid, having improved rheology at low mud weights and high temperatures. The improved rheology is effected with addition of hydrophobic amines, most preferably dimer diamines.

Abstract: A treatment fluid and method for simultaneously swelling an oil-swellable elastomer and breaking a filtercake in a well. The treatment fluid includes an emulsion comprising: (i) a continuous oil phase, wherein the oil phase comprises: (a) an oil; and (b) an emulsifier; and (ii) an internal aqueous phase, wherein the aqueous phase comprises: (a) water; and (b) a water-soluble hydrolyzable ester of a carboxylic acid; wherein the emulsion is stable to hydrolysis of the water-soluble hydrolyzable ester of the carboxylic acid. A method of treating a well includes the steps of: (A) forming the treatment fluid; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the wellbore, wherein: (i) a filtercake has been previously formed in the portion of the wellbore, wherein the filtercake comprises an acid-soluble or an acid-degradable material; and (ii) an oil-swellable elastomer has been previously deposited or positioned in the portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: A composition in the form of an emulsion is provided, the composition including: (i) a continuous oil phase; (ii) an internal aqueous acid phase adjacent the continuous oil phase; and (iii) a source of ammonium ion, wherein the ammonium ion has: (a) at least one ammonium ion; (b) an organic group with at least 40 carbon atoms; (c) at least 40 carbon atoms per ammonium ion; (d) a carbon to nitrogen ratio of at least 20 carbon atoms per nitrogen atom; and (e) at least one alkyl branch on the organic group. In addition, a method of acidizing a subterranean formation is provided, the method including the steps of: (A) forming a treatment fluid comprising a composition according to the invention; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the well.

Abstract: A well fluid including: (i) an oleaginous continuous phase; (ii) an N-acyl amino acid alkylamide; and (iii) a solid particulate. A method of treating a portion of a well with a particulate, the method including the steps of: (A) forming the well fluid; and (B) introducing the well fluid into the well. In addition, the N-acyl amino acid alkylamide affords an invert emulsion with a high OWR ratio, that is, greater than 40% oil by volume, for example, 70:30. The invert emulsion has a low viscosity, but can still suspend gravel. In a gravel packing application, the low viscosity of the invert emulsion fluid eliminates the need to break the emulsion during flow-back.

Abstract: Well fluids and methods are provided that can be used for stabilizing a shale formation, especially during drilling of a well into or through a shale formation. The well fluids include: (i) a continuous water phase; (ii) a viscosity-increasing agent, wherein the viscosity-increasing agent comprises water-soluble hydrophilic polymer; (iii) a fluid loss control agent; and (iv) a cyclodextrin-based compound. The methods of drilling include the steps of: (A) introducing the well fluid into a zone of a subterranean formation; and (b) drilling the zone.

Abstract: Among the methods provided is a method of drilling a subterranean well with an invert emulsion fluid comprising: providing an invert emulsion fluid formed by combining components that comprise: an oil-based continuous phase; an aqueous discontinuous phase; and a polar hydrophobic additive that comprises a polar hydrophobe, wherein the polar hydrophobic additive may substantially increases the yield point, the low-shear yield point, or both of the invert emulsion fluid relative to a fluid without a polar hydrophobic additive while limiting the change in the plastic viscosity to no more than about 35% of the change in the property with the largest increase; and placing the invert emulsion fluid in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the rheology of drilling fluids that is effective for any mud weight “clay-free” invert emulsion drilling fluid, even when drilling at high temperatures. The improved rheology is effected with addition of a silicon oil to the drilling fluid. A nonlimiting example of such a rheology additive comprises polydimethylsiloxane.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method for the use thereof in drilling wellbores, with good rheological properties at high temperatures and pressures. One embodiment of the drilling fluids is free of organophilic clays and lignites, free of calcium chloride, and comprises glycerol in the internal phase, and a suspension agent comprising a combination of a fatty dimer diamine and a short chain acid, such as citric acid. In one embodiment, the base oil for the emulsion is a paraffin and/or mineral oil. The drilling fluids provide good rheological properties including good suspension of drill cuttings.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method of drilling with such fluid, having improved rheology at low mud weights and high temperatures. The improved rheology is effected with addition of a rheology additive of the invention comprising fatty dimer diamines or dimer diamines and an organic acid or ester of the acid. A nonlimiting example of such a rheology additive comprises a C36 fatty dimer diamine and adipic acid or dimethyl adipate.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method of drilling with such fluid, having substantially flat or relatively controlled rheology, as demonstrated by the drilling fluid exhibiting little change in its yield point and gel strength across a temperature range of from about 40° F. to about 180° F., and effected with addition of a fatty dimer diamine additive together with an acid and without the addition of organophilic clays or lignites.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method of drilling with such fluid, having improved rheology at low mud weights and high temperatures. The improved rheology is effected with addition of hydrophobic amines, most preferably dimer diamines.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method of drilling with such fluid, having improved rheology at low mud weights and high temperatures. The improved rheology is effected with addition of hydrophobic amines, most preferably dimer diamines.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method for the use thereof in drilling wellbores, with good rheological properties at high temperatures and pressures. One embodiment of the drilling fluids are free of organophilic clays and lignites, free of calcium chloride, and comprise an alcohol in the internal phase, a quaternary ammonium emulsifier, and argillaceous solids. In one embodiment, the alcohol is a glycerol, a polyglycerol, or a mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the base oil for the emulsion is a paraffin and/or mineral oil. The drilling fluids provide good lubricity and high rates of penetration.

Abstract: Among the methods provided is a method of drilling a subterranean well with an invert emulsion fluid comprising: providing an invert emulsion fluid formed by combining components that comprise: an oil-based continuous phase; an aqueous discontinuous phase; and a polar hydrophobic additive that comprises a polar hydrophobe, wherein the polar hydrophobic additive may substantially increases the yield point, the low-shear yield point, or both of the invert emulsion fluid relative to a fluid without a polar hydrophobic additive while limiting the change in the plastic viscosity to no more than about 35% of the change in the property with the largest increase; and placing the invert emulsion fluid in a subterranean formation.