Abstract: A composition suitable for drilling and cementing comprising blast furnace slag, water, a soluble polyalcohol and an insoluble polyalcohol, the components of the drilling fluid being chosen so as to have a dual functionality in promoting the drilling fluid and thereafter in being functional constituents of a cementitious slurry.

Abstract: The use is described ofa) mono- and/or polyfunctional alcohols of natural and/or synthetic origin which are at least largely water-insoluble and are fluid and pumpable in the temperature range of 0.degree. to 5.degree. C.,or ofb) solutions, fluid and pumpable in the given temperature range, in ecologically-acceptable water-insoluble oils, of at least largely water-insoluble mono- and/or polyfunctional alcohols of natural and/or synthetic origin,as the continuous oil phase of drilling fluids, which exist as W/O-emulsions, have a dispersed aqueous phase and preferably have further usual additives in the alcohol-containing oil phase, and which are suitable for the environment-friendly development of, e.g., petroleum and natural gas deposits.

Abstract: A composition suitable for drilling and cementing comprising coal slag, water and drill solids, the components of the drilling fluid being chosen so as to have a dual functionality in promoting the drilling fluid and thereafter in being functional constituents of a cementitious slurry. Also, a method for drilling using a drilling fluid containing coal slag so as to lay down a filter cake which is settable and which is compatible with a subsequent coal slag cementitious slurry.

Abstract: Novel compositions useful as fluid gelling agents, especially for use in subterranean applications such as drilling fluids, are prepared by reacting an aqueous dispersion of a clay, such as bentonite, with an aqueous gel of a monodispersed mixed metal layered hydroxide of the formula Li.sub.m D.sub.d T(OH).sub.(m+2d+3+na) A.sub.a.sup.n, where D is a divalent metal, such as Mg, T is a trivalent metal, such as Al, and A represents other monovalent or polyvalent anions, the formula being described in detail in the disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method comprising the steps of introducing into a well borehole a composition, comprising water and an amount, sufficient to reduce drilling torque, prevent sticking or twisting of a pipe during drilling, or release a stuck pipe in a well borehole, of (A) at least one reaction product of (A-1) at least one hydrocarbyl-substituted carboxylic acylating agent and (A-2) at least one amine-terminated polyoxyalkylene having a number average molecular weight from about 600 to about 10,000, or at least one salt of the reaction product, and drilling the well borehole. Drilling torque, twisting and sticking of the pipe during drilling and releasing of stuck pipe in a well borehole are all effectively controlled by the methods and compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: An aqueous base drilling fluid additive composed of salt and lime or gypsum, and including an acyclic polyol and/or cyclicetherpolyol and salt.

Abstract: Oil in water emulsion drilling fluid properties are enhanced by incorporation thereinto of an alcohol such as glycerol or polycyclicpolyetherpolyol and salt.

Abstract: Drilling fluid properties are enhanced by incorporation thereinto of a cyclicetherpolyol such as a cyclic dimer of glycerol and, optionally, a polyol such as glycerol or a monoalicyclicpolyol, and/or salt.

Abstract: An invert oil emulsion drilling fluid containing oil, an emulsifier such as a fatty acid soap, clay or polymer, and an alcohol such as glycerol or cyclicetherpolyol as the internal phase of the emulsion. A method using substantially water-free drilling fluid and monitoring the influx of formation water into the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the fragmentation and excavation of hard, solid materials such as rock formations is provided which comprises adding to the rock surface an aqueous solution including a high molecular weight nonionic polymer such as polyethylene oxide which is capable of hydrogen bonding with water to produce charge-neutralizing positive charge dipoles. The nonionic polymeric solution is thus capable of neutralizing the rock surface charge and obtaining a condition of zero surface charge (ZSC) so that the drilling, tunneling, cutting or other similar operation can be conducted with substantial increases in drilling performance and penetration rate. The method is also extremely effective in extending the lives of drill bits, cutting tools, grinding media, or other polishing or drilling tools such that an enormous savings in terms of replacing equipment can be achieved.

Abstract: Substantially water-insoluble, oleophilic mono- and/or polyfunctional alcohols of natural and/or synthetic origin which have flash points of at least 80.degree. C., or corresponding solutions of mono- and/or polyhydric alcohols in ecologically acceptable water-insoluble oils as the dispersed oil phase of water-based O/W-emulsion drilling fluids, which are suitable for an environmentally-acceptable development of geological formations and which, if desired, contain insoluble, finely particulate weighting agents for the formation of water-based O/W-emulsions drilling muds and/or further additives, such as emulsifiers, fluid-loss additives, wetting agents, alkali reserves and/or auxiliary substances for the inhibition of drilled rock of high water-sensitivity.

Abstract: Brine-in-glycol emulsions are shown for use as well working fluids. The fluids have a glycol external phase and a brine internal phase. The separate phases are emulsified to create an emulsion and weighted with traditional weighting agents. The external phase is soluble or dispersible in sea water when diluted upon discharge.

Abstract: A water-based drilling fluid additive composition comprising a water soluble polyoxyalkylene compound selected from polyoxyalkylene glycols, monoalkylethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols, and mixtures thereof, which have a cloud point in the range from about 60.degree. F. to about 180.degree. F., in combination with a water dispersible particulate asphalt having an ASTM D-36 softening point of at least 290.degree. F., an ASTM D-5 penetration depth not exceeding about 10 mm, and a particulate size not exceeding more than about 10 percent retained on a 40 mesh U.S. screen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved water based drilling fluid and an improved spotting fluid utilizing unhydrogenated synthetic hydrocarbon compositions which are non-polluting and minimally toxic. The invention provides excellent drilling fluid properties under a wide variety of drilling conditions. The synthetic hydrocabons are selected from the group consisting of branched chain oligomers synthesized from one or more olefins containing a C.sub.2 to C.sub.14 chain length and wherein the oligomers have an average molecular weight of from 120 to 1000. The compositions of these hydrocarbons are free of aromatics and petroleum based toxic impurities. The synthetic hydrocarbons are unhydrogenated.