Earth boring – well treating – and oil field chemistry – Earth boring – Contains organic component
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-29
2003-02-04
Tucker, Philip (Department: 1712)
Earth boring, well treating, and oil field chemistry
Earth boring
Contains organic component
C507S203000, C507S905000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06514915
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to blends of synthetic olefins for use as the continuous phase of fluids selected from the group consisting of drilling, drill-in, and completion fluids. The blends meet EPA discharge requirements while also permitting investigators to clearly discern the presence and quantity of biological markers in reservoir fluid samples—particularly pristane and phytane.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Synthetic drilling fluids are prepared using isomerized olefins and linear alpha olefins in many combinations. The variety of olefin blends that are available today is the result of efforts to provide an adequate supply of base fluid to a robust market. Another reason for the variety of available blends is the variation in supply of olefin products from olefin manufacturers based on differences in manufacturing processes.
Environmental regulations require synthetic drilling fluid systems to meet a given set of test protocols in order for the cuttings generated by these systems to be discharged into the environment. Current evidence suggests that linear alpha olefins—particularly those having fewer than 14 carbon atoms or less—contribute to aquatic toxicity. The same toxicity problem apparently does not exist for isomerized olefins having 14 (or more) carbon atoms.
In addition to toxicity issues, it is important for the synthetic base used in a drilling system not to interfere with the analysis of reservoir fluids from the drilling or production operation. Two compounds for which the reservoir fluids commonly are evaluated are pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane; also known as norphytane) and phytane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylhexadecane). The presence of these two compounds in reservoir fluids has been widely studied, and their presence and ratio are benchmark indicators of the potential economic value of any crude oil to be found in the formation being drilled. It is important for a drilling system not to interfere with accurate analysis of these economic indicators.
Unfortunately, certain olefins or olefin blends interfere with an accurate analysis of pristane and phytane content in reservoir fluids, at least when the analytical tool used is gas chromatography (GC). Olefin-based drilling systems are needed that both meet environmental standards and do not interfere with an accurate analysis of the pristane and phytane content of reservoir fluids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a drilling system comprising a continuous phase comprising a blend of olefins. The blend consists essentially of a first quantity of isomerized olefins having from about 14 to about 16 carbon atoms and a second quantity of linear alpha olefins having about 18 carbon atoms.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3391291 (1968-07-01), Benson et al.
patent: 3482000 (1969-12-01), Fernald et al.
patent: 3663647 (1972-05-01), Lanier
patent: 3676523 (1972-07-01), Mason
patent: 3689584 (1972-09-01), Kobetz
patent: 5189012 (1993-02-01), Patel et al.
patent: 5589442 (1996-12-01), Gee et al.
patent: 5605879 (1997-02-01), Halliday et al.
patent: 5627143 (1997-05-01), Sawdon
patent: 5741759 (1998-04-01), Gee et al.
patent: 5851958 (1998-12-01), Halliday et al.
patent: 5869434 (1999-02-01), Mueller et al.
patent: 6054415 (2000-04-01), Gee et al.
patent: 6057272 (2000-05-01), Gee et al.
patent: 6323157 (2001-11-01), Carpenter et al.
Beyer Timothy Martin
Watson Steven Kyle
Baker Hughes Incorporated
Paula D. Morris & Associates P.C.
Tucker Philip
LandOfFree
Synthetic base fluid for enhancing the results of crude oil... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Synthetic base fluid for enhancing the results of crude oil..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Synthetic base fluid for enhancing the results of crude oil... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3132308