US4447341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Clay stabilizer composition for aqueous drilling fluids
Assignee: WR Grace and Co Conn
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Filing: 1982-08-27
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Granted: 1984-05-08
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Expires: 2002-08-27
Abstract
Abstract The combination of AlO(OH) and crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol can be added to aqueous drilling fluids and especially clay-based aqueous drilling fluids to prevent formation clays and shales from swelling and dispersing when contacted with aqueous drilling fluids. A potassium salt can be added to improve the result. The potassium salt can also be added by making AlO(OH) from potassium aluminate.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacob Block
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:29
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/02; C09K8/04; C09K8/14; C09K8/18; C09K8/22; C08; C08K; C08K3/00; C08K3/18; C08K3/20; C08K3/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A clay stabilizing composition comprising water, clay, and a clay stabilizing additive mixture in an amount of 1-5% by weight of the water comprising an aluminum hydroxide having the formula AlO(OH), and a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol which is crosslinked with at least about 0.05 to 200 percent of stoichiometry with a compound containing at least one aldehyde group therein or capable of generating in an aqueous medium at least one aldehyde group.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A clay stabilizing composition comprising water, clay, and a clay stabilizing additive mixture in an amount of 1-5% by weight of the water comprising an aluminum hydroxide having the formula AlO(OH), and a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol which is crosslinked with at least about 0.05 to 200 percent of stoichiometry with a compound containing at least one aldehyde group therein or capable of generating in an aqueous medium at least one aldehyde group.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 1, wherein the crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol is present in an amount which is from about 20% to 180% by weight of the AlO(OH).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 2, wherein the crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol is present in an amount which is from about 60% to 100% by weight of the AlO(OH).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 1 further comprising a potassium salt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 4, wherein the potassium salt is selected from the group consisting of KCl, K 2 SO 4 , K 2 CO 3 , KHCO 3 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 5, wherein the potassium salt is KCl.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 1, wherein the AlO(OH) is prepared by reacting potassium aluminate with an acid or an aluminum containing acid salt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 7, wherein the acid is HCl.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 7, wherein the aluminum containing acid salt is selected from the group consisting of aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 9, wherein the aluminum containing acid salt is aluminum chloride.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 1, wherein the crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol is formed in an aqueous acidic medium having a pH of about 5.5 or lower by reacting polyvinyl alcohol having a weight average molecular weight of at least 20,000 with at least about 0.05 to 200 percent of stoichiometry of a compound containing at least one aldehyde group therein or capable of generating in an aqueous medium at least one aldehyde group.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 11, wherein the compound containing at least one aldehyde group is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and mixtures thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 11, wherein the crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol has a weight average molecular weight of about 120,000 and is a hydrolysis product of polyvinyl acetate with the hydrolysis being about at least 87% complete.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The clay stabilizing composition of claim 11, wherein the pH of the acidic medium is in the range of about 1.5 to 2.5.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A clay stabilizing composition according to claim 1, wherein the clay is selected from the group consisting of sodium bentonite, attapulgite, sepiolite, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A clay stabilizing composition according to claim 1, wherein the AlO(OH) is prepared by reacting potassium aluminate with an acid.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of reducing the swelling of clays and shales in formations when drilling a bore hole with bore hole drilling tools and utilizing an aqueous clay-based drilling fluid circulating in the bore hole comprising adding to the aqueous drilling fluid an additive composition comprising an aluminum hydroxide having the formula AlO(OH), and a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol which is crosslinked with at least about 0.05 to 200 percent of stoichiometry with a compound containing at least one aldehyde group therein or capable of generating in an aqueous medium at least one aldehyde group.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of reducing the swelling of clays and shales in formations when drilling a bore hole with bore hole drilling tools and utilizing an aqueous clay-based drilling fluid circulating in the bore hole comprising adding to the aqueous drilling fluid an additive composition comprising an aluminum hydroxide having the formula AlO(OH), and a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol which is crosslinked with at least about 0.05 to 200 percent of stoichiometry with a compound containing at least one aldehyde group therein or capable of generating in an aqueous medium at least one aldehyde group.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay is selected from the group consisting of sodium bentonite, attapulgite, sepiolite, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 2.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 3.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 4.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 5.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 6.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 7.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 8.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 9.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 10.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 11.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 12.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 13.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the clay stabilizing composition is as defined in claim 14.
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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 |