Claims
- 1. A composition comprising:
an aqueous based continuous phase; a swellable shale material; and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—R—{OR′}x—Ywherein R and R′ are alkylene groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and x is a value from about 1 to about 25, and and Y is an amine or alkoxy group wherein the shale hydration inhibition agent is present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of the shale.
- 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein x has an average number between about 1 and about 10.
- 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein R and R′ are alkylene groups having a different number of carbon atoms or a same number of carbon atoms..
- 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the shale hydration inhibition agent being further characterized by low toxicity and compatibility with anionic drilling fluid components.
- 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the aqueous based continuous phase is selected from: fresh water, sea water, brine, mixtures of water and water soluble organic compounds and mixtures thereof.
- 6. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a fluid loss control agent selected from the group consisting of organic polymers, starches, and mixtures thereof.
- 7. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an encapsulating agent selected from the group consisting of organic and inorganic polymers and mixtures thereof
- 8 The composition of claim 1 wherein shale hydration inhibition agent is selected from:
- 9. A water-base fluid for use in the slurrification and injection of drill cuttings into a subterranean formation for disposal, the fluid comprising
an aqueous based continuous phase, and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—R—{OR′}x—Ywherein R and R′ are alkylene groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and x is a value from about 1 to about 25, and and Y is an amine or alkoxy group wherein the hydration inhibition agent is present in the drilling fluid in sufficient concentrations to reduce the swelling of shale clay that may be contained in the drill cuttings.
- 10. The fluid of claim 9 wherein the aqueous based continuous phase is selected from: fresh water, sea water, brine, mixtures of water and water soluble organic compounds with mixtures thereof.
- 11. The fluid of claim 10 wherein the drilling fluid further contains a fluid loss control agent selected from the group consisting of organic polymers, starches, and mixtures thereof.
- 12 The fluid of claim 11 wherein shale hydration inhibition agent is selected from:
- 14. A method of disposing of drill cuttings into a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
grinding the drill cuttings in a water-base fluid to form a slurry, wherein the water based fluid includes:
an aqueous based continuous phase and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—R—{OR′}x—Ywherein R and R′ are alkylene groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and x is a value from about 1 to about 25, and Y is an amine or alkoxy group, and wherein the shale hydration inhibition agent is present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of shale, and injecting said slurry into said subterranean formation.
- 15. The method of claim 14 wherein x has a value of about 1 to about 10.
- 16 The fluid of claim 14 wherein shale hydration inhibition agent is selected from:
- 17. A method of disposing of drill cuttings that include a water-swellable shale, into a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
grinding the drill cuttings in a water-base fluid to form a slurry, wherein the water based fluid includes:
an aqueous based continuous phase and a shale hydration inhibition agent selected from: H2N—CH2CH2—O—CH2CH2—NH2 H2N—CH2CH2CH2—O—CH2CH2—O—CH2CH2CH2—NH2 NH2—CH2—CH(CH3)—(O—CH2—CH(CH3))8—O—CH2—CH2—OCH3and mixtures of these, wherein the shale hydration inhibition agent is present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of the shale, and injecting said slurry into said subterranean formation.
- 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the aqueous based continuous phase is selected from: fresh water, sea water, brine, mixtures of water with water soluble organic compounds and mixtures thereof.
- 19. A clear drilling fluid for use in drilling subterranean wells, said fluid comprising:
an aqueous based continuous phase; a viscosifying agent and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—R—{OR′}x—Ywherein R and R′ are alkylene groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and x is a value from about 1 to about 25 and Y is an amine or alkoxy group, and wherein the shale hydration inhibition agent is present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of shale.
- 20. The fluid of claim 19 wherein the viscosifying agent is selected from the group consisting of organic polymers, starches, and mixtures thereof.
- 21. The fluid of claim 19 wherein the aqueous based continuous phase is selected from: fresh water, sea water, brine, mixtures of water with water soluble organic compounds and mixtures thereof.
- 22. A fracturing fluid for use in drilling subterreanean wells, said fluid comprising:
an aqueous based continuous phase; a viscosifying agent and a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N—R—{OR′}x—Ywherein R and R′ are alkylene groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and x is a value from about 1 to about 25 and Y is an amine or alkoxy group, and wherein the shale hydration inhibition agent is present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of shale.
- 23. The fluid of claim 22 wherein the viscosifying agent is selected from the group consisting of organic polymers, starches, and mixtures thereof.
- 24. The fluid of claim 22 wherein the aqueous based continuous phase is selected from: fresh water, sea water, brine, mixtures of water with water soluble organic compounds and mixtures thereof.
Parent Case Info
[0001] Priority of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/709,962, filed Nov. 10, 2000 and copending application Ser. No. 09/503,558, filed Feb. 11, 2000.
Continuation in Parts (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09709962 |
Nov 2000 |
US |
Child |
09884013 |
Jun 2001 |
US |
Parent |
09503558 |
Feb 2000 |
US |
Child |
09884013 |
Jun 2001 |
US |