Patrick C Baker

US Patent:

8476201, Jul 2, 2013

Filed:

Dec 23, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/977425

Inventors:

Jeffrey James Miller - Spring TX, US
Nicholas Braley - Spring TX, US
Donald R. Siems - Houston TX, US
Patrick Chris Baker - Houston TX, US
Dale Jamison - Humble TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

C09K 8/04
C09K 8/06
C09K 8/14

US Classification:

507143, 507137, 507138, 507140

Abstract:

Invert emulsion drilling fluids that have extended emulsion stability and reduced sag potential are described herein. The drilling fluids comprise an invert emulsion, a weighting agent, and a plurality of colloidal particles. The invert emulsion comprises an oleaginous fluid continuous phase, an aqueous fluid internal phase, and a surfactant. At least a portion of the plurality of colloidal particles interact with the surfactant to form an associative supporting structure that inhibits sag of the weighting agent. In some embodiments, the weighting agent comprises barite particles, particularly barite particles that are less than about 45 μm in size. Methods for placing the invert emulsion drilling fluids in a subterranean formation via a wellbore are also disclosed.

US Patent:

8569213, Oct 29, 2013

Filed:

Jan 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/741687

Inventors:

Jeffrey James Miller - Houston TX, US
Nicholas Braley - Houston TX, US
Donald R. Siems - Houston TX, US
Dale E. Jamison - Houston TX, US
Patrick Baker - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

C09K 8/36

US Classification:

507140, 507143, 175 65

Abstract:

Invert emulsion drilling fluids that have extended emulsion stability and reduced sag potential can be realized through incorporation of colloidal particles therein. The invert emulsion drilling fluids can be free of organophilic clays. The organophilic clay-free drilling fluids can comprise: an oleaginous fluid continuous phase; an aqueous fluid internal phase; a surfactant; a weighting agent; and a plurality of colloidal particles, the colloidal particles comprising fibrous colloidal particles and at least one other type of colloidal particle; wherein at least a portion of the plurality of colloidal particles interact with the surfactant to form an associative supporting structure that inhibits sag of the weighting agent.