Abstract: The present invention relates to mixtures of sulfonated thermoplastic polymers and sulfonated elastomeric 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 and elastomeric polymers both have about 5 to about 200 meq. of sulfonate groups per 100 grams of the sulfonated thermoplastic or elastomeric polymers, 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 and elastomeric polymers, wherein the polar cosolvent increases the solubility of the sulfonated thermoplastic and elastomeric polymer in the oil drilling mud by decreasing the strong ionic interactions between the sulfonate groups of the sulfonated polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sulfonated elastomeric polymers which are copolymers of isoprene and sodium styrene sulfonate or teropolymers of isoprene, styrene and sodium styrene sulfonate wherein these sulfonated polymers 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 and elastomeric polymers have about 5 to about 100 meq. of sulfonate groups per 100 grams of the sulfonated elastomeric 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 elastomeric polymer, wherein the polar cosolvent increases the solubility of the sulfonated elastomeric polymer in the oil drilling mud by decreasing the strong ionic interactions between the sulfonate groups of the sulfonated polymer.

Abstract: Aqueous drilling fluids containing a minor amount of an additive composition featuring mono- and di-esters of C.sub.12 -C.sub.50 aliphatic hydrocarbon substituted succinic acids or anhydrides, such as octadecenyl succinic anhydride with thio-bis-alkanols such as dithiodiethanol. 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: Aqueous drilling fluids containing an admixture of a polyethoxylated sulfurized fatty acid and polyalkylene glycol. 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: Aqueous drilling fluids containing polyethoxylated sulfurized fatty alcohols. 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: This invention relates to an improved oil well cement composition and a method of use thereof in wells penetrating subterranean formations.My U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,317, issued Nov. 19, 1974, is directed to the hydrolyzed cereal solids as an additive for the reduction of gel strength and yield point of an aqueous drilling fluid saturated with calcium hydroxide in the liquid phase.

Abstract: Aqueous drilling fluids containing a minor amount of an additive composition. 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.The additive is a composition containing a particular emulsifying agent, a petroleum oil carrier, tetraethylene oxide -- nonyl phenol adduct, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, hexahydro 1, 3, 5-triethyl -s-triazine, tri-isopropanolamine and optionally ditertiary alkyl polysulfide, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, and zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate.

Abstract: Aqueous drilling fluids containing a minor amount of polyethoxylated tetraalkyl acetylenic diols. 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: Ethoxylated asphalt solutions have high tolerance for sodium and calcium ions as well as magnesium and other divalent ions. The use of ethoxylated asphalts in combination with other surfactants that normally precipitate out in the presence of these cations results in a stable surfactant solution wherein the surfactant will not precipitate out and wherein the surfactant solution has the ability to efficiently sweep oil from subterranean hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Abstract: The gel strengths and yield points of aqueous fresh water drilling fluids having from 0 to 200 parts per million calcium dissolved therein may be reduced by adding to the drilling fluids an effective amount of a hydrolyzed cereal solid, which is predominantly a hexa-saccharide and higher poly-saccharides. The additive is effective only if the drilling fluid pH is above about 10.0 and preferably about 11.0 or above. The effectiveness is improved by adding from about 1/8 to about 1 pound of a water soluble chromate or dichromate salt per barrel of drilling fluid.

Abstract: A process for producing petroleum from subterranean formations is disclosed wherein production from the formation is obtained by driving a fluid from an injection well to a production well. The process involves injecting into the formation via the injection well an aqueous solution of ethoxylated asphalts as a sacrificial agent to inhibit the deposition of surfactant and/or polymer on the reservoir matrix. Normally the process would be carried out by first injecting the ethoxylated asphalts into the formation through the injection well and following them with either a polymer or a surfactant solution. The polymer and/or surfactant would then be followed by a drive fluid such as water to push the chemicals to the production well.

Abstract: The fluid loss or filtration rate of aqueous drilling fluids containing either high salinity or high soluble calcium can be controlled with conventional products such as prehydrolyzed starch; however, if the aqueous drilling fluid contains both high salinity and high calcium ion concentrations, starch is not effective for control of fluid loss. The fluid loss of such an aqueous drilling fluid saturated with calcium hydroxide and containing high levels of salinity may be reduced by adding to the drilling fluid a small but effective amount of a cationic starch product.

Abstract: Method of and composition for the treatment of an aqueous drilling fluid containing contaminating amounts of salt whereby the rheological properties of the aqueous fluid are improved by treatment with a polyethylene glycol in the molecular weight range of from about 200 to 500.