Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for producing an emulsifier suitable for use in an emulsion drilling fluid may comprise esterifying a processed vegetable oil to produce a first mixture comprising fatty acid alkyl esters. The processed vegetable oil may comprise less than 1 wt. % of compounds having an atmospheric boiling point less than or equal to 150° C. The method may further comprise removing at least 99 wt. % of each of glycerol, water, and short-chain alcohols having a main chain of less than or equal to 12 carbon atoms from the first mixture to produce a modified mixture, and hydrolyzing the fatty acid alkyl esters of the modified mixture with a base to produce the emulsifier comprising at least one salt of a fatty acid. Emulsion drilling fluids comprising the emulsifier and methods of producing emulsion drilling fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for instructing a device within a wellbore of a subterranean well includes a drill string with an actuator assembly extending into the subterranean. The actuator assembly has a first pipe member with a segment formed of a first material. A second pipe member is coaxially aligned with the first pipe member. A plurality of bearings are positioned between the first pipe member and the second pipe member. Each of the plurality of bearings includes a second material. The first material is reactive to the second material. Certain of the plurality of bearings are changeable bearings that include a dissolvable material. The actuator assembly is operable to instruct an operation of the device by generating an instruction signal by rotating the first pipe member relative to the second pipe member and interpreting a pattern of a reaction of the segment as a bearing rotates past the segment.

Abstract: A method includes introducing an epoxy resin system to a wellbore defect in a wellbore. The epoxy resin system comprises a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) epoxy resin with at least one reactive group and a curing agent. The method includes maintaining the epoxy resin system in the wellbore such that a cured epoxy resin system product forms in the wellbore defect.

Abstract: Drilling fluid compositions and methods for using drilling fluid compositions are provided with enhanced anti-bit balling properties that include an aqueous-based fluid, one or more drilling fluid additives, and an anti-bit balling additive. The anti-bit balling additive may be an epoxidized ?-olefin and the drilling fluid may include the anti-bit balling additive in an amount ranging from about 0.5 ppb to about 20 ppb. Methods for using the drilling fluid compositions may further include mixing an aqueous base fluid with one or more drilling fluid additives and an anti-bit balling additive, wherein the anti-bit balling additive includes epoxidized ?-olefin and the drilling fluid may include the anti-bit balling additive in an amount ranging from about 0.5 ppb to about 20 ppb, and introducing the drilling fluid to a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring conditions within a wellbore of a subterranean well include extending a drill string into the subterranean well from a terranean surface. The drill string has an actuator assembly, a sensor compartment, and a plurality of sensors located within the sensor compartment. The actuator assembly is instructed to transmit a swarm release signal to a central power unit of the sensor compartment so that the central power unit of the sensor compartment releases certain of the plurality of sensors from the sensor compartment. Data from the sensors is transferred to a data processing system after the sensors reach the terranean surface.

Abstract: An invert oil-based mud (OBM) may include an oleaginous continuous phase, an aqueous internal phase, and an emulsifier. The emulsifier may include one or more of the group consisting of epoxidized methyl oleate, epoxidized methyl linoleate, and epoxidized methyl ?-linolenate. The invert OBM may contain the emulsifier in an amount of the range of 0.1 to 10 wt. % (weight percent), relative to the total weight of the OBM.

Abstract: An invert oil-based mud (OBM) may include an oleaginous continuous phase, an aqueous internal phase, an emulsifier; and a rheology modifier. The rheology modifier may include one or more of the group consisting of epoxidized methyl oleate, epoxidized methyl linoleate, and epoxidized methyl ?-linolenate. The invert OBM may contain the rheology modifier in an amount of the range of 0.1 to 5 wt. % (weight percent) relative to the total weight of the OBM.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluids having a combination of fatty acids derived from waste vegetable oil (WVO) and a fatty alcohol as a rheology modifier. An invert emulsion drilling fluid may include a water in oil emulsion, an invert emulsifier, a fatty alcohol having six to thirty carbon atoms, and a fatty acid having six to eighteen carbon atoms. The fatty acid is provided by esterifying a waste vegetable oil to produce a methyl ester of the waste vegetable oil and cleaving an ester group from the methyl ester of the waste vegetable oil. The invert emulsion drilling fluid may be formulated free of organoclay. Methods of drilling a wellbore using an invert emulsion drilling fluid are also provided.

Abstract: Drilling fluid compositions and methods for using drilling fluid compositions are provided with enhanced lubricating properties that include an aqueous-based fluid, one or more drilling fluid additives, and a lubricating additive. The lubricating additive may be an epoxidized ?-olefin and the drilling fluid may include the lubricating additive in an amount ranging from about 1 ppb to about 20 ppb. Methods for using the drilling fluid compositions may further include mixing an aqueous base fluid with one or more drilling fluid additives and a lubricating additive, wherein the lubricating additive includes epoxidized ?-olefin and the drilling fluid may include the lubricating additive in an amount ranging from about 0.5 ppb to about 20 ppb, and introducing the drilling fluid to a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A lost circulation system and a method for reducing losses of drilling fluid in a lost circulation zone of a wellbore are described. The lost circulation system includes a sheet of lost circulation fabric and particles of a second lost circulation material. The sheet of lost circulation fabric is a material whose structure and composition limit the flow of fluids, particularly drilling fluid, through the sheet. The sheet of lost circulation material has a maximum thickness of 1 millimeter, a length of one foot to one thousand feet, and a width of one inch to twenty inches. The sheet of the lost circulation fabric has holes extending through the sheet.

Abstract: A lost circulation system and a method for reducing losses of drilling fluid in a lost circulation zone of a wellbore are described. The lost circulation system includes a sheet of lost circulation material and particles of a lost circulation material. The sheet of lost circulation material has a maximum thickness of 1 millimeter, a length of one foot to one thousand feet, and a width of one inch to twenty inches. The method for reducing losses of drilling fluid in a lost circulation zone of a wellbore includes identifying the lost circulation zone, deploying a sheet of a first lost circulation material in the wellbore at the lost circulation zone, and circulating a slurry containing particles of the lost circulation material through the wellbore.

Abstract: A wellbore loss zone remediation method to reduce losses of drilling fluid in a lost circulation zone of a wellbore is described. The wellbore loss zone remediation method includes identifying a lost circulation zone in a wellbore, selecting a lost circulation fabric, selecting a lost circulation material for a slurry, disposing the lost circulation fabric in the wellbore, circulating the slurry in the wellbore, and determining if the lost circulation zone is remediated.

Abstract: The present application discloses water-based drilling fluid systems and methods of making water-based drilling fluids systems. According to one embodiment, a drilling fluid system may include a drilling fluid and a lubricant. The lubricant may be synthesized from waste vegetable oil.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating loss circulation material (LCM) in loss circulation zones is described. The apparatus includes a drilling fluid reservoir that can carry a wellbore drilling fluid. The apparatus includes a LCM reservoir that can carry a LCM. The apparatus includes a spacer fluid reservoir that can carry a spacer fluid. The apparatus includes a LCM test cell that includes a disk member that includes multiple openings. The disk member represents a loss circulation zone in a subterranean zone in which a wellbore is drilled using the wellbore drilling fluid. The LCM test cell is fluidically connected to the drilling fluid reservoir, the LCM reservoir and the spacer fluid reservoir. The LCM test cell is configured to fluidically receive a quantity of LCM from the LCM reservoir and to evaluate an ability of the LCM to decrease loss circulation through the loss circulation zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for actuation of downhole devices are disclosed. The system includes a first cylindrical pipe having one or more first materials attached to an outer surface of the first cylindrical pipe, a second cylindrical pipe co-axial with the first cylindrical pipe and having a diameter greater than the first cylindrical pipe, the second cylindrical pipe comprising one or more second materials disposed on an inner surface of the second cylindrical pipe, wherein the first materials generate one or more signals when the first materials come in contact with the second materials, and a digital logic circuit configured to receive the one or more signals as input, and generate an output based on the input, the output configured for actuation of the downhole devices.

Abstract: Invert emulsion drilling fluids having a combination of fatty acids derived from waste vegetable oil (WVO) and a fatty amine as a rheology modifier are provided. An invert emulsion drilling fluid may include a water in oil emulsion, an invert emulsifier, a fatty amine having six to thirty carbon atoms, and a fatty acid having six to eighteen carbon atoms. The fatty acid is provided by esterifying a waste vegetable oil to produce a methyl ester of the waste vegetable oil and cleaving an ester group from the methyl ester of the waste vegetable oil. The invert emulsion drilling fluid may be formulated free of organoclay. Methods of drilling a wellbore using an invert emulsion drilling fluid are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring conditions within a wellbore of a subterranean well include extending a drill string into the subterranean well from a terranean surface. The drill string has an actuator assembly, a sensor compartment, and a plurality of sensors located within the sensor compartment. The actuator assembly is instructed to transmit a swarm release signal to a central power unit of the sensor compartment so that the central power unit of the sensor compartment releases certain of the plurality of sensors from the sensor compartment. Data from the sensors is transferred to a data processing system after the sensors reach the terranean surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for actuation of downhole devices are disclosed. The system includes a first cylindrical pipe having one or more first materials attached to an outer surface of the first cylindrical pipe, a second cylindrical pipe co-axial with the first cylindrical pipe and having a diameter greater than the first cylindrical pipe, the second cylindrical pipe comprising one or more second materials disposed on an inner surface of the second cylindrical pipe, wherein the first materials generate one or more signals when the first materials come in contact with the second materials, and a digital logic circuit configured to receive the one or more signals as input, and generate an output based on the input, the output configured for actuation of the downhole devices.

Abstract: Drilling fluids and methods of making and using drilling fluids are provided. The drilling fluid includes an emulsion comprising an oleaginous phase suspended within an aqueous phase, a clay-based component in the aqueous phase, CaCl2, KCl, or both in the aqueous phase, and a polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. The polyglycerol-fatty acid complex may be free of covalent crosslinks. The polyglycerol-fatty acid complex may include polyglycerol hydrogen bonded to a fatty acid, and the oleaginous phase may include safra oil and the polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. Methods of producing the drilling fluid include reacting polyglycerol and a fatty acid at a temperature of less than 250° C. thereby forming a polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. The method further includes mixing an aqueous phase, a clay-based component, and the polyglycerol-fatty acid complex to produce a drilling fluid.

Abstract: Drilling fluids and methods of making and using drilling fluids are provided. The drilling fluid includes an emulsion comprising an oleaginous phase suspended within an aqueous phase, a clay-based component in the aqueous phase, CaCl2, KCl, or both in the aqueous phase, and a polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. The polyglycerol-fatty acid complex may be free of covalent crosslinks. The polyglycerol-fatty acid complex may include polyglycerol hydrogen bonded to a fatty acid, and the oleaginous phase may include safra oil and the polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. Methods of producing the drilling fluid include reacting polyglycerol and a fatty acid at a temperature of less than 250° C. thereby forming a polyglycerol-fatty acid complex. The method further includes mixing an aqueous phase, a clay-based component, and the polyglycerol-fatty acid complex to produce a drilling fluid.