An invert emulsion drilling fluid has been developed that possesses the drilling properties of conventional invert muds, yet can be discharged onto land as a soil enhancer. The individual components of this Soil-Enhancing Synthetic Based Mud (SE-SBM) -- base fluid, internal polar phase, emulsion stabilizers, wetting agents, fluid-loss-control agents and weighting material -- also possess these attractive features.

One version of the SE-SBM produces mud-laden cuttings that can be land-farmed directly without pretreatment. Where discharges are severely restricted with respect to salt, oil and/or grease content, another version of the SE-SBM is particularly well suited for pretreatment of the cuttings in a bioreactor or other rapid biotreatment technique.

Keywords:
drilling fluid selection and formulation, drilling fluids and materials, growcock, toxicity, drilling fluid property, emulsifier package, emulsifier, internal phase, drilling fluid chemistry, rsc
Subjects:
Drilling Fluids and Materials, Environment, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Drilling fluid management & disposal
Copyright 2002, IADC/SPE Drilling Conference
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