Abstract: The invention provides for either (a) increasing the yield point or gel strength of an aqueous based drilling fluid; (b) decreasing the fluid loss of an aqueous based drilling fluid; (c) decreasing the coefficient of friction of an aqueous based drilling fluid; or (d) decreasing the aqueous activity of an aqueous based fluid drilling fluid thus decreasing the swelling of shales contacted by an aqueous based fluid, the methods comprises adding to the drilling fluid an amount of an alkyl glycoside, preferably methyl glucoside, sufficient to effect such increase or decrease. The invention also provide for aqueous based completion fluids, workover fluids, and well working fluids containing an alkyl glucoside solubilized in the aqueous phase of said fluids.

Abstract: The invention provides a water base drilling fluid having decreased swelling effect on hydratable shales contacted by the drilling fluid wherein the aqueous phase contains an alkyl glucoside solubilized therein. Another embodiment of the invention provides an aqueous solution for addition to drilling fluids to decrease the swelling of hydratable shales contacted by the drilling fluid, the solution comprising an aqueous phase having dissolved (solubilized) therein from about 50% to about 85% by weight methyl glucoside and at least about 2% by weight of an alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: There is disclosed alkylthiomethyl oxazolines such as 2-(octadecylthiomethyl)-5-ethyl-5-methylol-2-oxazoline, suitable for use in drilling fluids as a lubricity agent and/or anti-oxidant.

Abstract: A new class of viscosification agents based on water insoluble and oil insoluble neutralized sulfonated thermoplastic resins is described for oil-based drilling muds. The resultant muds display good viscosity characteristics and good stability when formulated from water insoluble and oil insoluble neutralized sulfonated thermoplastic polymers having an appropriate sulfonate level and cation type.

Abstract: A new family of terpolymers based on acrylamide/sodium styrene sulfonate/methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride has been found to be an improved viscosity control additive for water-based drilling muds. The resultant muds display good viscosity characteristics, thermal stability and gel strength when formulated from the terpolymer intramolecular complex having the appropriate polymer concentration and salt level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to latices of sulfonated thermoplastic polymers which function as viscosification agents when added to oil-based drilling muds which are the fluids used to maintain pressure, cool drill bits and lift cuttings from the holes in the drilling operation for oil and gas wells. The sulfonated thermoplastic polymer of the latex has about 5 to about 100 meq. of sulfonate groups per 100 grams of the sulfonated thermoplastic polymer, wherein the sulfonated groups are neutralized with a metallic cation or an amine or ammonium counterion. A polar cosolvent can optionally be added to the mixture of oil drilling mud and sulfonated polymer, wherein the polar cosolvent increases the solubility of the sulfonated polymer in the oil drilling mud by decreasing the strong ionic interactions between the sulfonate groups of the sulfonated polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the plugging of a porous formation which may be encountered during the drilling of a well. The process entails plugging of the porous formation by means of a polymeric solution containing pseudo-emulsion spheres. These particles penetrate the pore structure within a formation. Eventually, sufficient numbers of the spheres will accumulate within the pores, blocking further flow through the formation by both the pseudo-emulsion particles and any aqueous solutions. The pseudo-emulsion system is formed by a process which includes the steps of forming a solvent system of an organic liquid or oil and a polar cosolvent, the polar cosolvent being less than about 15 weight percent of the solvent system being less than about 100 cps; dissolving a neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of the neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solution being about 0.01 to about 0.

Abstract: Disclosed are invert oil emulsion drilling fluids containing a non-toxic, biodegradable oil having a viscosity at 25.degree. C. of less than 1.5 centipoise, a flash point of at least 60.degree. C., an aniline point of at least 80.degree. C., and a content of aromatic hydrocarbons of less than 1% by volume. These drilling fluids have a low viscosity at the high shear rates imparted to a drilling fluid at the bit during drilling. This low bit viscosity provides for faster penetration rates. Such drilling fluids containing a temperature stabilizing additive exhibit superior thermal stability.

Abstract: Aqueous drilling fluids containing a minor amount of an additive composition featuring oxazolines of C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 alkylthioglycolic acid. Such fluids are especially useful where reduced torque drilling fluids are needed. Another embodiment of this invention relates to a method of drilling utilizing the above-described fluids.

Abstract: A new copolymer of sodium styrene sulfonate-co-sodium-N-(4-sulfophenyl)-maleimidehas been found to be an improved viscosity control additive for water-based drilling muds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the viscosification of an aqueous liquid which includes the steps of forming a solvent system of an organic liquid or oil and a polar cosolvent, the polar cosolvent being less than about 15 weight percent of the solvent system, a viscosity of the solvent system being less than about 100 cps; dissolving a neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of the neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solution being about 0.01 to about 0.5 weight percent, a viscosity of the solution being less than about 200 cps; and admixing or contacting said solution with about 5 to about 500 volume percent water, the water being immiscible with the organic liquid and the polar cosolvent and neutralized sulfonated polymer transferring from the organic liquid to the water phase, thereby causing the water phase to thicken.

Abstract: An additive composition effective in the release of stuck pipe in a borehole during a drilling operation which composition contains propoxylated C.sub.18 -C.sub.32 alkanols, an oil-soluble emulsifier-wetting agent and a liquid hydrocarbon diluent and for enhanced elevated temperature emulsion stability may include an imidazoline.

Abstract: A new family of viscosification agents based on sulfonated ionomers is described for oil-based drilling muds. The resultant muds display good viscosity characteristics and good stability when formulated from ionomers having an appropriate sulfonate level, cation type, and cosolvent content.

Abstract: A new family of viscosification agents based on sulfonated ionomers is described for oil-based drilling muds. The resultant muds display good viscosity characteristics and good stability when formulated from ionomers having an appropriate sulfonate level, cation type, and cosolvent content.

Abstract: An additive composition effective in the release of stuck pipe in a borehole during a drilling operation which composition contains propoxylated C.sub.18 -C.sub.32 alkanols, an oil-soluble emulsifier-wetting agent and a liquid hydrocarbon diluent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the gelation (i.e. thickening) of salt water which includes the steps of forming a solvent system of an organic liquid or oil and a polar cosolvent, the polar cosolvent being less than about 15 weight percent of the solvent system, a viscosity of the solvent system being less than about 100 cps; dissolving a nonionic surfactant and water insoluble, neutralized or unneutralized sulfonated polymer in the solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of the neutralized, or unneutralized sulfonated polymer in the solution being about 0.01 to about 0.5 weight percent, the concentration of the nonionic surfactant in the solvent system being about 0.0001 to about 1.

Abstract: An additive composition effective in the release of stuck pipe in a borehole during a drilling operation which composition contains a propoxylated lactone acid, e.g. a C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkyl lactone acids having from 10 to 13 propylene glycol units, an oil-soluble emulsifier-wetting agent and a liquid hydrocarbon diluent and for enhanced elevated temperature emulsion stability may include an imidazoline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the gelation (i.e. thickening) of an aqueous acid solution which includes the steps of forming a solvent system of an organic liquid or oil and a polar cosolvent, the polar cosolvent being less than about 15 weight percent of the solvent system, a viscosity of the solvent system being less than about 100 cps; dissolving a neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of the neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solution being about 0.01 to about 0.5 weight percent, a viscosity of the solution being less than about 200 cps; and admixing or contacting said solution with about 5 to about 500 volume percent of the aqueous acid solution, the aqueous acid solution being immiscible with the organic liquid and the polar cosolvent and neutralized sulfonated polymer transferring from the organic liquid to the aqueous acid phase, thereby causing the aqueous acid phase to thicken (i.e. interfacial viscosification).

Abstract: The present invention relates to mixtures of sulfonated thermoplastic polymers and amine-treated clays which function as viscosification agents when added to oil-based drilling muds which are the fluids used to maintain pressure, cool drill bits and lift cuttings from the holes in the drilling operation for oil and gas wells. The sulfonated thermoplastic polymers have about 5 to about 100 meq. of sulfonate groups per 100 grams of the sulfonated thermoplastic polymer, wherein the sulfonated groups are neutralized with a metallic cation or an amine or ammonium counterion. A polar cosolvent can optionally be added to the mixture of oil drilling mud and sulfonated thermoplastic polymer, wherein the polar cosolvent increases the solubility of the sulfonated thermoplastic polymer in the oil drilling mud by decreasing the strong ionic interactions between the sulfonate groups of the sulfonated polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to powdered sulfonated thermoplastic polymers which function as viscosification agents when added to oil-based drilling muds which are the fluids used to maintain pressure, cool drill bits and lift cuttings from the holes in the drilling operation for oil and gas wells. The powdered sulfonated thermoplastic polymer has about 5 to about 100 meq. of sulfonate groups per 100 grams of the sulfonated thermoplastic polymer, wherein the sulfonated groups are neutralized with a metallic cation or an amine or ammonium counterion. The powdered sulfonated thermoplastic polymers have a particle size range of 0.25 .mu.m to 2.5 .mu.m and are prepared by spray drying an emulsion of the sulfonated thermoplastic polymer which has been prepared by a free radical copolymerization process.