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U.S. Department of Energy
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New approach to high temperature drilling fields

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7309564

The clay mineral sepiolite has been under investigation since 1972 by our laboratories for possible use in drilling fluids. This paper reviews the work done on this clay mineral in an effort to obtain a drilling fluid capable of withstanding temperatures in the ultra high range. This includes a study on the rheology of sepiolite slurries that have been subjected to temperatures up to 800/sup 0/F. X-ray diffraction techniques and scanning electron microscope studies were used to examine the crystalline structure of the sepiolite before and after exposure to these high temperatures. There appears to be some changes in the sepiolite after being subjected to temperatures up to 800/sup 0/F. However, the basic structure seems to be stable. Data is given showing that slurries prepared from sepiolite and other additives have favorable rheological and fluid loss properties over wide temperature ranges.

OSTI ID:
7309564
Report Number(s):
CONF-761008-125
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English