Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating recovery of lubrication beads is provided. The apparatus includes a hydrocyclone, for separating drilling fluid into a high density stream and a low density stream containing a major portion of the lubrication beads; a receiving pump, for pumping drilling fluid to the hydrocyclone; a discharge pump, for pumping the high density stream from the lower end of the hydrocyclone to further processing; and a hose for flowing the low density stream from the upper end of the hydrocyclone to the cleaned fluid handling system. A method for integrating the apparatus for facilitating recovery of lubrication beads from a drilling fluid into a solids control apparatus includes positioning an end of a first hose to receive the drilling fluid; arranging an end of a second hose in communication with the first shaker's filter screen; and setting an end of a third hose to empty into the cleaned fluid handling system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating recovery of lubrication beads is provided. The apparatus includes a hydrocyclone, for separating drilling fluid into a high density stream and a low density stream containing a major portion of the lubrication beads; a receiving pump, for pumping drilling fluid to the hydrocyclone; a discharge pump, for pumping the high density stream from the lower end of the hydrocyclone to further processing; and a hose for flowing the low density stream from the upper end of the hydrocyclone to the cleaned fluid handling system. A method for integrating the apparatus for facilitating recovery of lubrication beads from a drilling fluid into a solids control apparatus includes positioning an end of a first hose to receive the drilling fluid; arranging an end of a second hose in communication with the first shaker's filter screen; and setting an end of a third hose to empty into the cleaned fluid handling system.

Abstract: A method for capturing waste liquid from waste liquid-containing material, the method includes: combining expanded polystyrene particles that have cut surfaces with the material, to thereby form a mixture wherein at least some of the waste liquid from the material is captured by the expanded polystyrene particles.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides drilling fluid additives for reducing or controlling lost circulation in a drilling operation. The additives comprises particles. The particles comprise one or more solids in association a wax or waxy substance. A drilling fluid comprising a drilling fluid additive of the invention is also provided, as well as a method and use of the drilling fluid additive in a drilling operation to reduce or control lost circulation. Methods for manufacturing the drilling fluid additives are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drilling fluid additive for improving lubricity or rate of penetration (ROP) in a drilling operation, such as an oil and gas drilling operation. The additive comprises particles of wax or waxy substance, or a mixture of two or more types of the particles having distinct properties, such as particle size, type of wax or waxy substance, melt point, solubility, dissolution rate, hardness, shape, blocking ability, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the additive is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. The invention also relates to a drilling fluid comprising the drilling fluid additive of the invention. A method of improving lubricity or increasing ROP in a drilling operation is also provided, as well as a use of particles of wax or waxy substance or mixture thereof as a drilling fluid additive for improving lubricity or increasing ROP in a drilling operation.

Abstract: Lost circulation of drilling fluid is one of the most serious and expensive problems facing the drilling industry. The present invention relates to an improved drilling fluid for reducing or preventing lost circulation to an underground formation surrounding a well bore in the process of drilling a well. The drilling fluid comprises a base fluid and wax or waxy substance as a primary seepage loss agent. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the seepage loss agent does not include particles having a blend of natural wax and synthetic wax together in a single particle. The invention also provides a method of reducing or preventing lost circulation to an underground formation surrounding a well bore in the process of drilling a well using the drilling fluid of the invention, wherein the primary seepage loss agent is added to the drilling fluid, either before or during drilling, and the drilling fluid is pumped down hole during drilling.

Abstract: Lost circulation of drilling fluid is one of the most serious and expensive problems facing the drilling industry. The present invention relates to an improved drilling fluid for reducing or preventing lost circulation to an underground formation surrounding a well bore in the process of drilling a well. The drilling fluid comprises a base fluid and wax or waxy substance as a primary seepage loss agent. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the seepage loss agent does not include particles having a blend of natural wax and synthetic wax together in a single particle. The invention also provides a method of reducing or preventing lost circulation to an underground formation surrounding a well bore in the process of drilling a well using the drilling fluid of the invention, wherein the primary seepage loss agent is added to the drilling fluid, either before or during drilling, and the drilling fluid is pumped down hole during drilling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drilling fluid additive for improving lubricity or rate of penetration (ROP) in a drilling operation, such as an oil and gas drilling operation. The additive comprises particles of wax or waxy substance, or a mixture of two or more types of said particles having distinct properties, such as particle size, type of wax or waxy substance, melt point, solubility, dissolution rate, hardness, shape, blocking ability, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the additive is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. The invention also relates to a drilling fluid comprising the drilling fluid additive of the invention. A method of improving lubricity or increasing ROP in a drilling operation is also provided, as well as a use of particles of wax or waxy substance or mixture thereof as a drilling fluid additive for improving lubricity or increasing ROP in a drilling operation.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides drilling fluid additives for reducing or controlling lost circulation in a drilling operation. The additives comprises particles. The particles comprise one or more solids in association a wax or waxy substance. A drilling fluid comprising a drilling fluid additive of the invention is also provided, as well as a method and use of the drilling fluid additive in a drilling operation to reduce or control lost circulation. Methods for manufacturing the drilling fluid additives are also described.

Abstract: Lost circulation of drilling fluid is one of the most serious and expensive problems facing the drilling industry. The present invention relates to an improved drilling fluid for reducing or preventing lost circulation to an underground formation surrounding a well bore in the process of drilling a well. The drilling fluid comprises a base fluid and wax or waxy substance as a primary seepage loss agent. The invention also provides a method of reducing or preventing lost circulation to an underground formation surrounding a well bore in the process of drilling a well using the drilling fluid of the invention, wherein the primary seepage loss agent is added to the drilling fluid, either before or during drilling, and the drilling fluid is pumped down hole during drilling.