US3985667A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and composition for drilling shale formation in sea water
Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corp
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Filing: 1973-10-10
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Granted: 1976-10-12
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Expires: 1993-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A process and composition for drilling a well through shale formation in sea water with an aqueous drilling mud comprising a clay -- sea water slurry containing a potassium salt of lignosulfonate. The lignosulfonate is prepared by reaction of potassium hydroxide or a salt of sulfurous acid with spent sulfite liquor at elevated temperatures. A particularly effective drilling composition also contains hydroxy acids and up to 4%, based on total solids content of the lignosulfonate, of an iron complex.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Russell Gray
- 👤 Lloyd Eugene Van Blaricom
- 👤 Harvey Rudolph Deweyert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:21
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/02; C09K8/04; C09K8/14; C09K8/18; C09K8/20; C09K8/203; E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A process for drilling a well through shale formation in sea water comprising drilling through said shale while circulating in the well an aqueous drilling mud comprising a clay-sea water slurry containing an iron complex of a mixture of a potassium salt of lignosulfonate and from 5-15% by weight of hydroxy acid salts, said mixture being prepared by reacting sodium or ammonium base spent sulfite liquor including reducing sugars and from 5 to 25%, based on the solids content of the spent sulfite liquor, of potassium hydroxide, said reaction being carried out at a temperature of from 50° to 175° C to produce a reaction product having a final pH no less than 10, said iron complex being prepared by adding a ferric salt to said reaction product whereby from 1/2 to 4% of the final product, based on total solids, of a ferric complex of said hydroxy acid salts is formed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A process for drilling a well through shale formation in sea water comprising drilling through said shale while circulating in the well an aqueous drilling mud comprising a clay-sea water slurry containing an iron complex of a mixture of a potassium salt of lignosulfonate and from 5-15% by weight of hydroxy acid salts, said mixture being prepared by reacting sodium or ammonium base spent sulfite liquor including reducing sugars and from 5 to 25%, based on the solids content of the spent sulfite liquor, of potassium hydroxide, said reaction being carried out at a temperature of from 50° to 175° C to produce a reaction product having a final pH no less than 10, said iron complex being prepared by adding a ferric salt to said reaction product whereby from 1/2 to 4% of the final product, based on total solids, of a ferric complex of said hydroxy acid salts is formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
An aqueous drilling mud composition for shale formations in sea water comprising a clay-sea water slurry containing an iron complex of a mixture of a potassium salt of lignosulfonate and from 5-15% by weight of hydroxy acid salts, said mixture prepared by reacting sodium or ammonium base spent sulfite liquor including reducing sugars and from 5% to 25%, based on the solids content of the spent sulfite liquor, of potassium hydroxide, said reaction being carried out at a temperature of from 50° to 175° C to produce a reaction product having a final pH no less than 10, said iron complex being prepared by adding a ferric salt to said reaction product whereby from 1/2 to 4%, based on total solids, of a ferric complex of said hydroxy acid salts is formed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
An aqueous drilling mud composition for shale formations in sea water comprising a clay-sea water slurry containing an iron complex of a mixture of a potassium salt of lignosulfonate and from 5-15% by weight of hydroxy acid salts, said mixture prepared by reacting sodium or ammonium base spent sulfite liquor including reducing sugars and from 5% to 25%, based on the solids content of the spent sulfite liquor, of potassium hydroxide, said reaction being carried out at a temperature of from 50° to 175° C to produce a reaction product having a final pH no less than 10, said iron complex being prepared by adding a ferric salt to said reaction product whereby from 1/2 to 4%, based on total solids, of a ferric complex of said hydroxy acid salts is formed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-12 | 1980-04-12 | 1980-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-12 | 1984-04-12 | 1984-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-12 | 1988-04-12 | 1988-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |