Abstract: The present invention relates to glycerol based drilling fluids. In particular, the invention relates to drilling fluids comprising a 95-20 volume % glycerol/water solution capable of stabilizing water-sensitive formations during drilling and the use of such solutions for drilling a well having water-sensitive formations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using recycled rubber including recycled rubber from tires to absorb hydrocarbons. The method is particularly applicable to absorbing waste or contaminating hydrocarbons from solid surfaces or particles where hydrocarbons may have been spilt or otherwise have contaminated the surfaces. The methods may also be used for removing spilt hydrocarbons from a liquid such as crude oil spills at sea.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improving the performance of invert drilling fluids are provided. In particular, waxes are used in drilling fluid compositions to improve the performance of organophilic clays within a drilling solution as well as to improve seepage control.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of altering the properties of a drilling fluid by adding effective amounts of crushed oilseeds, whole oilseeds, or one or more purified oils from oilseeds or mixtures of crushed oilseeds, whole oilseeds and/or one or more purified oils from oilseeds to a drilling fluid. The crushed oilseeds, whole oilseeds, and one or more purified oils from oilseeds or mixtures of crushed oilseeds, whole oilseeds and one or more purified oils from oilseeds are selected to impart any one of or a combination of effects including but not limited to: an increase in drilling fluid emulsion stability in oil-based or invert emulsion fluids, decreased specific gravity of the drilling fluid, seepage loss control, filtration control, oil wetting and deflocculation/dispersion of entrained solids and/or reduced torque and drag of the drilling string.

Abstract: A method of altering the properties of a drilling fluid includes adding effective amounts of crushed or whole oilseeds or mixtures of crushed or whole oilseeds to a drilling fluid. The crushed or whole oilseeds or mixture of crushed or whole oilseeds are selected to impart any one of or a combination of effects including but not limited to: an increase in drilling fluid emulsion stability in oil-based or invert emulsion fluids, decreased specific gravity of the drilling fluid, seepage loss control, filtration control, oil wetting and deflocculation/dispersion, of entrained solids and/or reduced torque and drag of the drilling string.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of altering the properties of a drilling fluid by adding effective amounts of crushed or whole oilseeds or mixtures of crushed whole oilseeds to a drilling fluid. The crushed or whole oilseeds or mixture of crushed or whole oilseeds are selected to impart any one of or a combination of effects including but not limited to: an increase in drilling fluid emulsion stability in oil-based or invert emulsion fluids, decreased specific gravity of the drilling fluid, seepage loss control, filtration control, oil wetting and deflocculation/dispersion, of entrained solids and/or reduced torque and drag of the drilling string.