Drilling fluids based on sulfonated thermoplastic polymers having improved low temperature rheological properties

Patent · Tue Jun 25 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:6414428

Turner, S R; Lundberg, R D; Peiffer, D G; Walker, T O

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.

• Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 4525522
• OSTI ID: 6414428
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DRILLING
DRILLING FLUIDS
ESTERS
FLUIDS
MATERIALS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
PLASTICS
POLYMERS
RHEOLOGY
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
THERMOPLASTICS
WELL DRILLING
WELLS