US4447338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Drilling mud viscosification agents based on sulfonated ionomers
Assignee: Nalco Energy Services LP
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Filing: 1981-08-12
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Granted: 1984-05-08
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Expires: 2001-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A new family of viscosification agents based on sulfonated ionomers is described for oil-based drilling muds. The resultant muds display good viscosity characteristics and good stability when formulated from ionomers having an appropriate sulfonate level, cation type, and cosolvent content.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Lundberg
- 👤 Thad O. Walker
- 👤 Charles P. O'Farrell
- 👤 Henry S. Makowski, deceased
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:10
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/02; C09K8/32; C09K8/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An oil base drilling mud which comprises: (a) an organic liquid selected from the group consisting of a diesel fuel, kerosene, fuel oil and crude oil; (b) about 1 to about 10 parts by weight of water per 100 parts by weight of the organic liquid; (c) about 20 to about 50 lb/bbl of at least one emulsifier; (d) weighting material of sufficient quantity necessary to achieve the desired density; and (e) about 0.25 to abut 2 lb/bbl of a water insoluble neutralized sulfonated elastomer, said neutralized sulfonated polymer elastomer having about 5 to about 30 meg. of sulfonate groups per 100 grams of the neutralized sulfonated polymer elastomer, said neutralized sulfonated elastomer being derived from an elastomeric polymer selected from the group consisting of EPDM terpolymers and butyl rubber, said EPDM terpolymers having a number average molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 200,000 and said butyl rubber having a Staudinger molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 500,000.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An oil base drilling mud which comprises: (a) an organic liquid selected from the group consisting of a diesel fuel, kerosene, fuel oil and crude oil; (b) about 1 to about 10 parts by weight of water per 100 parts by weight of the organic liquid; (c) about 20 to about 50 lb/bbl of at least one emulsifier; (d) weighting material of sufficient quantity necessary to achieve the desired density; and (e) about 0.25 to abut 2 lb/bbl of a water insoluble neutralized sulfonated elastomer, said neutralized sulfonated polymer elastomer having about 5 to about 30 meg. of sulfonate groups per 100 grams of the neutralized sulfonated polymer elastomer, said neutralized sulfonated elastomer being derived from an elastomeric polymer selected from the group consisting of EPDM terpolymers and butyl rubber, said EPDM terpolymers having a number average molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 200,000 and said butyl rubber having a Staudinger molecular weight of about 20,000 to about 500,000.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An oil-based drilling mud according to claim 1 wherein said emulsifier is a magnesium or calcium soap of a fatty acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An oil-based drilling mud according to claim 1 further including a wetting agent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An oil-based drilling mud according to claim 3 wherein said wetting agent is an alkylaryl sulfonate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An oil-based drilling mud according to claim 1 wherein said weighing material is barite or barium sulfate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An oil-based drilling mud according to claim 1 wherein said neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer is EPDM terpolymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An oil-based drilling mud according to claims 1, 5 or 6 wherein said sulfonate groups are neutralized with a counterion selected from the group consisting of ammonium, amines, antimony, iron, aluminum, lead and Groups I-A, II-A, I-B and II-B of the Periodic Table of Elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An oil-based drilling mud according to claims 1, 5 or 6 further including a cosolvent having a solubility parameter of at least 8.5.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An oil-based drilling mud according to claim 8, wherein said cosolvent is an aliphatic alcohol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An oil-based drilling mud according to claim 1, 5 or 6 further including a cosolvent having a solubility parameter of at least 9.0.
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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) | 1987-05-08 | 1987-11-07 | 1988-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-08 | 1991-11-07 | 1992-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-08 | 1995-11-07 | 1996-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |