US4040866A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laundering of oil base mud cuttings
Assignee: NL Industries Inc
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Filing: 1976-01-15
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Granted: 1977-08-09
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Expires: 1996-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A process for removing oil base mud adhering to cuttings obtained in well drilling operations, comprising contacting the cuttings with a solvent consisting essentially of a mixture of ethyleneglycol monoisobutyl ether, diethyleneglycol monobutyl ether acetate, ethyl butyl ketone, ethyleneglycol monobutyl ether, ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethyleneglycol diethyl ether, and diethyleneglycol mono-n-hexyl ether, together with paraffin oil, in relative proportions of from 10:90 to 80:20. This forms a mixture of oil and solvent on the cuttings which is readily removable; as by washing or centrifuging or a combination of the two.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas C. Mondshine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:15
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; E21B21/068; E21B21/063; E21B21/065; E21B21/066; E21B41/00; E21B41/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
The method of removing oil adhering as a coating to drilled well cuttings obtained during the course of drilling which comprises the steps of intimately contacting said cuttings with a mixture of a solvent selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol monoisobutyl ether, diethyleneglycol monobutyl ether acetate, ethyl butyl ketone, ethyleneglycol monobutyl ether, ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethyleneglycol diethyl ether, and diethyleneglycol mono-n-hexyl ether and mixtures thereof in any proportion, together with a paraffin oil, the relative proportions of said solvent and said oil being within the range of about 10:90 to 80:20 by volume, so as to form a mixture of oil and said solvent on said cuttings; and thereafter removing said oil-solvent from said cuttings by washing said contacted cuttings with water.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
The method of removing oil adhering as a coating to drilled well cuttings obtained during the course of drilling which comprises the steps of intimately contacting said cuttings with a mixture of a solvent selected from the group consisting of ethyleneglycol monoisobutyl ether, diethyleneglycol monobutyl ether acetate, ethyl butyl ketone, ethyleneglycol monobutyl ether, ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethyleneglycol diethyl ether, and diethyleneglycol mono-n-hexyl ether and mixtures thereof in any proportion, together with a paraffin oil, the relative proportions of said solvent and said oil being within the range of about 10:90 to 80:20 by volume, so as to form a mixture of oil and said solvent on said cuttings; and thereafter removing said oil-solvent from said cuttings by washing said contacted cuttings with water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said water is sea water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said removal is accomplished by centrifuging.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said washing is expedited by centrifuging.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said oil-solvent mixture is recovered from said water subsequent to said washing by decantation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said paraffin oil is selected from the group consisting of diesel oil, heavy kerosene, topped crude oil, and mixtures thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |