CA2452861C - Method of use and composition of pomace additive - Google Patents
Method of use and composition of pomace additive Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2452861C CA2452861C CA2452861A CA2452861A CA2452861C CA 2452861 C CA2452861 C CA 2452861C CA 2452861 A CA2452861 A CA 2452861A CA 2452861 A CA2452861 A CA 2452861A CA 2452861 C CA2452861 C CA 2452861C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- additive
- drilling fluid
- pomace
- fruit pomace
- drilling
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 title claims description 89
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 81
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 title description 8
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 83
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 80
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 235000009754 Vitis X bourquina Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 235000012333 Vitis X labruscana Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 235000014787 Vitis vinifera Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000000227 grinding Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 235000007688 Lycopersicon esculentum Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 claims description 37
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 241000219095 Vitis Species 0.000 claims description 7
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims description 7
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 241000227653 Lycopersicon Species 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910010272 inorganic material Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011147 inorganic material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000080 wetting agent Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000003139 biocide Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000417 fungicide Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007873 sieving Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000010815 organic waste Substances 0.000 abstract description 5
- 239000001648 tannin Substances 0.000 abstract description 5
- 229920001864 tannin Polymers 0.000 abstract description 5
- 235000018553 tannin Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 5
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 235000005018 Pinus echinata Nutrition 0.000 abstract 2
- 235000013264 Pinus jeffreyi Nutrition 0.000 abstract 2
- 235000016013 Pinus leiophylla var chihuahuana Nutrition 0.000 abstract 2
- 240000007320 Pinus strobus Species 0.000 abstract 2
- 235000013490 limbo Nutrition 0.000 abstract 2
- 240000003768 Solanum lycopersicum Species 0.000 abstract 1
- 240000006365 Vitis vinifera Species 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 14
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 description 10
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000006259 organic additive Substances 0.000 description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000016068 Berberis vulgaris Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 241000335053 Beta vulgaris Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011368 organic material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000011437 Amygdalus communis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000144725 Amygdalus communis Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000017060 Arachis glabrata Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000105624 Arachis hypogaea Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000010777 Arachis hypogaea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000018262 Arachis monticola Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000207199 Citrus Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000008733 Citrus aurantifolia Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000132456 Haplocarpha Species 0.000 description 1
- 229920001732 Lignosulfonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 241000220317 Rosa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000015076 Shorea robusta Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000166071 Shorea robusta Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000011941 Tilia x europaea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000008042 Zea mays Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000005824 Zea mays ssp. parviglumis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000002017 Zea mays subsp mays Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008186 active pharmaceutical agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020224 almond Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L barium sulfate Chemical compound [Ba+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 229910052601 baryte Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010428 baryte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002199 base oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004071 biological effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020971 citrus fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000005822 corn Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003995 emulsifying agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004571 lime Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000020232 peanut Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000518 rheometry Methods 0.000 description 1
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000375 suspending agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010998 test method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
- E21B21/06—Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
- Lubricants (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method of performing drilling operations wherein a drilling fluid is circulated in a well being drilled in the ground comprising the steps of grinding a tannin-containing organic waste to form granules, adding the ground tannin-containing organic waste product to the drilling fluid, and circulating the drilling fluid with the ground tannin-containing organic waste product in the well while drilling operations are being carried out. In a preferred embodiment, tannin-containing organic waste products include grape pomace, tomato pomace, yellow pine bark, yellow pine, wood bark and the like.
Description
METHOD OF USE AND COMPOSITION OF POMACE ADDITIVE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention [00011 The invention relates to an improved organic drilling fluid additive that does not disrupt electrical stability while simultaneously providing seepage control, lost circulation control and fluid loss control of drilling fluid and to the composition of the drilling fluid with the particular additives.
Description of the Prior Art [00021 Numerous organic and inorganic components are known for use as additives in drilling operations, both in aqueous fluids and oil muds, to control detrimental losses such as gross loss of whole fluid, commonly referred to as lost circulation.
Similarly, additives are used to control fluid loss and provide seepage control. Organics are often preferred for their cost effectiveness as well as functionality. Organics suffer from a drawback that they interfere with electrical stability of the drilling fluids and therefore affect readings for electrical stability when measuring for hydrocarbons.
[00031 Generally voltage applied across two electrodes is increased until the drilling fluid emulsion breaks and a surge of current flows between the two electrodes. The voltage required to break" the emulsion is a common measure of the stability of such an emulsion.
Oil-based muds are used where the use of water-based muds cannot solve specific problems, such as: drilling shales which swell or slough; drilling directional holes;
drilling hot, deep holes; or to prevent or recover stuck pipe and the like. For proper functioning of oil-based muds, the small quantities of water used in oil muds must be completely emulsified in the oil.
Electrical Stability or voltage break-down (V-B) is measured for oil muds to determine the stability of the emulsion. Electrical stability measures the amount of current required to achieve the breakdown voltage or the point at which the emulsion becomes conductive. Pure oils do not conduct electricity whereas water is a highly effective conductor of electricity.
High readings indicate stable, oil continuous emulsions, while low readings indicate poor emulsions. "E.S.", or electrical stability of the emulsion, is measured by the test described in Composition and Properties of Drilling and Completion Fluids, 5th Edition, H.
C. H. Darley, George R. Gray, Gulf Publishing Company, 1988, pp. 116. Generally, the higher the number, the more stable the emulsion.
[00041 Efforts have been continuous in attempting to address the problem of lost circulation, seepage, or fluid loss. Patent literature has examples of various agricultural and cellulosic waste products being used as lost circulation materials and seepage control agents designed to function in specific ways. Yet lost circulation remains a critical issue in the drilling industry often directly affecting the profitability of a well.
[00051 Examples of patents addressing this recognized problem of lost circulation, seepage or fluid loss include US Patent 5,071,575 and 5,004,553 issued to House for well working compositions using ground oat hulls in a certain particle size range with the possibility of adding one or more agricultural byproducts including ground citrus pulp. Many patents teach the use of specific organic materials. U.S. Patent 5,147,852 issued to Cowan, discusses the use of organic materials, specifically cellulose materials, generally described as those from wood sources of fibrous materials, indicating generally the benefit of cellulose. For example U.S. Patent No. 5,229,018 issued to Forest teaches the use of peanut hulls as an additive along with a suitable suspending agent. However, organic additives added to drilling fluids generally suffer from certain drawbacks, in particular, interference with the electrical stability of oil-based drilling fluid.
HOUSTON\ 1591575.1 -2-[00061 US Patent No. 6,399,545 recently issued to the current inventor, Rose, explores the use of fruit pomace in drilling fluid additives for the purpose of inhibiting lost circulation, seepage and/or fluid loss. However, the difficulty in use of various organic matters relative to the electrical stability has not previously been explored.
[00071 Common additives tend to drastically alter the properties of the drilling fluid. One of the most difficult issues to address is the issue that organic additives tend to disrupt electrical stability and the ability to accurately measure hydrocarbon content. This creates difficulties with the ability to determine producing formation locations accurately. It would be advantageous to provide an additive such that an electrical well-logging tool when disposed in the drilling fluid with additive can accurately perform an electrical well-logging survey or imaging of a borehole containing the fluid with additive.
[00081 It would be advantageous to provide an additive that functions to prevent fluid loss, seepage and lost circulation while at the same time minimizing disruption of the electrical stability of the system. It would also be advantageous to create a method for producing such an additive. Furthermore, the use of organic waste products would allow for the advantage of a cost effective additive.
[00091 The use of an organic additive that otherwise reduces the need to add further refined chemical components to the system, such as lignosulfonates and tannins, would be advantageous.
[00101 The introduction of an additive that can be used in both water base and oil base well working fluids would be advantageous. An additive that provides the desired control without interfering with the rheology or the electrical stability of the system would also be advantageous.
[00111 The current invention includes certain advantages that will be appreciated by one skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.
HOUSTON11591575.1 -3-BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00121 The current invention advantageously presents an additive, and the method of use of such additive, for use in drilling fluid that does not substantially affect the electrical stability of the drilling fluid. The additive of the invention is useful in drilling fluid for drilling operation. The additive has the property of inhibiting seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss and is useful for this purpose. Also, the additive of the invention includes an amount of fruit pomace such that the additive exhibits certain novel characteristics when added to the drilling fluid. The fruit pomace is ground to create granules, the granules being sieved to define an original size distribution. The amount of fruit pomace in the additive is such that the additive, when added to the drilling fluid in a quantity sufficient to inhibit seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss, is effective to maintain the electric stability of the drilling fluid.
This ability to maintain the electric stability is exhibited by no or little change of the electric stability experienced upon addition of the additive. Any change experienced as a result of the addition of the additive is within a predefined range, the predefined range being effective such that an electrostatic measure for hydrocarbon content can be performed within a predetermined degree of error.
[00131 Preferred sources of fruit pomace include grape pomace, tomato pomace, beet pomace and the like. This pomace is then ground. A preferred embodiment also includes allowing the pomace to dry or acquiring dried pomace for grinding. After grinding the pomace into granules, the granules are sieved.
[00141 The additive of the invention is advantageously useful in all types of drilling fluids including oil mud, synthetic muds and aqueous muds.
[00151 In a preferred embodiment, the amount of fruit pomace included in the additive is at least 30% by weight fruit pomace to gain the advantage of maintaining the electrical stability within a predefined range, preferably greater than about 400 volts. More preferably, the amount of fruit pomace included in the additive is at least 40% by weight fruit pomace. In one embodiment, the additive of the invention can include substantially only one fluid loss, lost circulation and/or seepage control agent. In that case, the sole fluid loss, lost circulation and/or seepage control agent is fruit pomace. Depending upon the particular application, it can be desirable to add wetting agents, fungicides, biocides, or rheological agents to the additive. Another preferred embodiment includes an additive containing at least 98% by weight fruit pomace.
Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the additive includes only one fruit pomace, such as only tomato or only grape pomace.
[00161 The additive of the invention, when not substantially all fruit pomace, can contain other materials that are effective to inhibit seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss.
Inorganic materials are preferred, the inorganic material being ground to define an original inorganic size distribution.
[00171 The current invention includes mixing the pomace with organics to produce different blends that enhance the organics while maintaining electrical stability. Solid particles of organics added to a drilling fluid system tend to interfere with electrical charges. It has been observed that the addition of pomace in accordance with the invention counteracts this effect.
This is regarded to be an enhancement to the performance of the organics.
[00181 The invention also includes a method of performing drilling operations wherein the drilling fluid is circulated in a well being drilled in the ground wherein the invention includes the steps of preparing additive for addition to the drilling fluid, adding the additive to the drilling fluid, and circulating the drilling fluid with additive in the well while drilling operations are being carried out. Preparing the additive includes grinding an amount of fruit pomace to form granules and adding the amount of fruit pomace to create the additive. The amount of fruit pomace added is effective to substantially maintain the electric stability of the drilling fluid when added to the drilling fluid. The electric stability is to be maintained within HOUSTON\1591575.1 -5-the predefined range, the predefined range being effective such that an electrostatic measure for hydrocarbon content can be performed. The additive is also effective to inhibit seepage, lost circulation and/or fluid loss and the like. The ground fruit pomace granules are sieved such that the granules define an original particle size distribution.
[0019] Another preferred embodiment of the additive includes an amount of a facilitator effective to facilitate the incorporation of the additive into the drilling fluid such that the additive containing fruit pomaces acts to begin mixing with the drilling fluid immediately upon introduction of the additive to the drilling fluid. In this manner, the additive is substantially completely incorporated into the drilling fluid prior to delivery of the drilling fluid with additive downhole.
[0020] The structure and method of the present invention as well as other features, advantages, benefits and objects thereof over other structures and methods known in the art can be better understood with reference to the detailed description which follows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] A pomace, such as tomato, grape or beet, is generally described as the crushed matter remaining of the pressed items. This can contain any combination of pulp, skin, seed or other naturally occurring substance in the pressed item. These organic products can be used individually or in combination with each other or other products.
[0022] In drilling operations, drilling fluid electrical stability of about 350 volts or less, preferably about 250 volts or less, allows use of an electric logging tool. A
fluid is stable if the electrical stability is above about 400 volts in a weighted fluid, which is above 10 pounds per gallon weight. Electrical stability of an unweighted fluid, which is below 10 pounds per gallon, is typically considered stable at 200 volts and above. The drilling fluid, prior to addition of the additive, is relatively non-conductive. This is true of both oil based drilling HOUSTON\1591575.1 -6-fluids and aqueous based drilling fluids or invert emulsions. The presence of certain organic additives can interfere with electrical stability, as measured by used in API
RP 13 B-2.
[0023] While it is known in the industry to use organic products to reduce lost circulation, each organic product has its own set of characteristics that can be useful or disruptive to the drilling fluid system. Fruit pulp products, however, provide surprisingly efficient results over other organics and provide the unexpected benefit of maintaining electric stability, in contravention to expectations based on behavior of other organic additives. It is postulated that the unexpected efficacy results from naturally occurring compounds in fruit pomace.
This results in increased efficacy.
[0024] Wetting agents such as NOVAWETTM, a product of M-I Drilling fluids, are useful to enhance the dispersion of the additive throughout the drilling fluid for particular drilling fluids..
[0025] The fruit pomace to be ground is typical a byproduct from other industries and thus can be economically obtained. In fact, they are frequently considered waste materials and therefore pose a waste disposal problem. After acquiring the fruit pomace, further drying and/or pressing can be performed prior to such grinding, depending on the moisture content of the pomace. Another preferred embodiment includes heating the products for a length of time in order to sanitize the organic products, thus further reducing the possibility of undesirable biological activity when the additive is mixed with the drilling fluid.
[0026] After the organic products of the invention have been. ground, they are added to the drilling fluid. There are various apparatuses and methods known in the art for adding materials to drilling fluid such that the material is incorporated into the fluid, all of which are useful in this invention. A preferred embodiment includes mixing the additive into the drilling fluid using a conventional jet-type hopper.
HOUSTON\1591575.1 -7-[0027] The additive is typically ground coarse, medium, fine or ultra fine, depending upon the particular usage. Coarse is generally that which will pass through a 4 mesh and retained on a 60 mesh. Medium is consider that which will pass through a 20 mesh and be retained on a 100 mesh. Fine is typically that which will pass through a 60 mesh and be retained on a 600 mesh. Ultra fine passes through meshes smaller than 600 mesh. There are general categories of definitions and include some overlapping sizes of mesh. A
preferred embodiment of the current invention includes providing two to fifty lbs of additive per barrel of mud circulated.
[0028] Following are test results on electrical stability.
ELECTRICAL
STABILITY
COMPARISON
TEST
Sample Description:
Sample A - Grape Pomace Regular Sample B - Grape Pomace Fine Sample C - ground corn cob Sample D - Ground almond hulls Test Procedure:
A base mud formulation was prepared and the electrical stability measured.
This is reported below. 25 ppb sample was added and mixed 10 minutes. Samples were then rolled 72 hours at 150 F. Samples were removed from oven and electrical stability measured while samples were still at 150 F. Samples were then cooled to room temperature and the electrical stability measured again. Samples were then mixed one minute on multimixer and the electrical stability measured again.
Base Mud:
235 mis synthetic base oil 50 mis 10.8 ppg CaC12 brine 6 ppb organoclay ppb Lime 8 ppb Emulsifier 250 g Barite HOUSTON\1591575.1 -8-Results:
A .rapt : _~ = ., B Crape C - C oultd` I~ Almond Pom;cc vt IECgu(ar -"Pomace Fine Cozri Cob ` Steens ase Mud 470 494 508 501 Hots olled' 590 550 134 353 Room Temp 647 560 165 411 Imin mix 657 560 160 433 [0029] The additives and the method of their use are useful in drilling fluids that are oil muds, including diesel and synthetic oils. The additives and the method of their use are also useful in aqueous drilling fluids.
[0030] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus and structure.
[0031] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
[00321 Because many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0033] For example the additives of this invention for use with drilling fluids not only perform as control agents for seepage, lost circulation and lost fluid control with the novel benefit afforded by pomace, but they also act as a thinner. The use of these compounds for purposes of thinning is encompassed within this invention.
HOUSTON\1591575.1 -9-
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention [00011 The invention relates to an improved organic drilling fluid additive that does not disrupt electrical stability while simultaneously providing seepage control, lost circulation control and fluid loss control of drilling fluid and to the composition of the drilling fluid with the particular additives.
Description of the Prior Art [00021 Numerous organic and inorganic components are known for use as additives in drilling operations, both in aqueous fluids and oil muds, to control detrimental losses such as gross loss of whole fluid, commonly referred to as lost circulation.
Similarly, additives are used to control fluid loss and provide seepage control. Organics are often preferred for their cost effectiveness as well as functionality. Organics suffer from a drawback that they interfere with electrical stability of the drilling fluids and therefore affect readings for electrical stability when measuring for hydrocarbons.
[00031 Generally voltage applied across two electrodes is increased until the drilling fluid emulsion breaks and a surge of current flows between the two electrodes. The voltage required to break" the emulsion is a common measure of the stability of such an emulsion.
Oil-based muds are used where the use of water-based muds cannot solve specific problems, such as: drilling shales which swell or slough; drilling directional holes;
drilling hot, deep holes; or to prevent or recover stuck pipe and the like. For proper functioning of oil-based muds, the small quantities of water used in oil muds must be completely emulsified in the oil.
Electrical Stability or voltage break-down (V-B) is measured for oil muds to determine the stability of the emulsion. Electrical stability measures the amount of current required to achieve the breakdown voltage or the point at which the emulsion becomes conductive. Pure oils do not conduct electricity whereas water is a highly effective conductor of electricity.
High readings indicate stable, oil continuous emulsions, while low readings indicate poor emulsions. "E.S.", or electrical stability of the emulsion, is measured by the test described in Composition and Properties of Drilling and Completion Fluids, 5th Edition, H.
C. H. Darley, George R. Gray, Gulf Publishing Company, 1988, pp. 116. Generally, the higher the number, the more stable the emulsion.
[00041 Efforts have been continuous in attempting to address the problem of lost circulation, seepage, or fluid loss. Patent literature has examples of various agricultural and cellulosic waste products being used as lost circulation materials and seepage control agents designed to function in specific ways. Yet lost circulation remains a critical issue in the drilling industry often directly affecting the profitability of a well.
[00051 Examples of patents addressing this recognized problem of lost circulation, seepage or fluid loss include US Patent 5,071,575 and 5,004,553 issued to House for well working compositions using ground oat hulls in a certain particle size range with the possibility of adding one or more agricultural byproducts including ground citrus pulp. Many patents teach the use of specific organic materials. U.S. Patent 5,147,852 issued to Cowan, discusses the use of organic materials, specifically cellulose materials, generally described as those from wood sources of fibrous materials, indicating generally the benefit of cellulose. For example U.S. Patent No. 5,229,018 issued to Forest teaches the use of peanut hulls as an additive along with a suitable suspending agent. However, organic additives added to drilling fluids generally suffer from certain drawbacks, in particular, interference with the electrical stability of oil-based drilling fluid.
HOUSTON\ 1591575.1 -2-[00061 US Patent No. 6,399,545 recently issued to the current inventor, Rose, explores the use of fruit pomace in drilling fluid additives for the purpose of inhibiting lost circulation, seepage and/or fluid loss. However, the difficulty in use of various organic matters relative to the electrical stability has not previously been explored.
[00071 Common additives tend to drastically alter the properties of the drilling fluid. One of the most difficult issues to address is the issue that organic additives tend to disrupt electrical stability and the ability to accurately measure hydrocarbon content. This creates difficulties with the ability to determine producing formation locations accurately. It would be advantageous to provide an additive such that an electrical well-logging tool when disposed in the drilling fluid with additive can accurately perform an electrical well-logging survey or imaging of a borehole containing the fluid with additive.
[00081 It would be advantageous to provide an additive that functions to prevent fluid loss, seepage and lost circulation while at the same time minimizing disruption of the electrical stability of the system. It would also be advantageous to create a method for producing such an additive. Furthermore, the use of organic waste products would allow for the advantage of a cost effective additive.
[00091 The use of an organic additive that otherwise reduces the need to add further refined chemical components to the system, such as lignosulfonates and tannins, would be advantageous.
[00101 The introduction of an additive that can be used in both water base and oil base well working fluids would be advantageous. An additive that provides the desired control without interfering with the rheology or the electrical stability of the system would also be advantageous.
[00111 The current invention includes certain advantages that will be appreciated by one skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.
HOUSTON11591575.1 -3-BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00121 The current invention advantageously presents an additive, and the method of use of such additive, for use in drilling fluid that does not substantially affect the electrical stability of the drilling fluid. The additive of the invention is useful in drilling fluid for drilling operation. The additive has the property of inhibiting seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss and is useful for this purpose. Also, the additive of the invention includes an amount of fruit pomace such that the additive exhibits certain novel characteristics when added to the drilling fluid. The fruit pomace is ground to create granules, the granules being sieved to define an original size distribution. The amount of fruit pomace in the additive is such that the additive, when added to the drilling fluid in a quantity sufficient to inhibit seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss, is effective to maintain the electric stability of the drilling fluid.
This ability to maintain the electric stability is exhibited by no or little change of the electric stability experienced upon addition of the additive. Any change experienced as a result of the addition of the additive is within a predefined range, the predefined range being effective such that an electrostatic measure for hydrocarbon content can be performed within a predetermined degree of error.
[00131 Preferred sources of fruit pomace include grape pomace, tomato pomace, beet pomace and the like. This pomace is then ground. A preferred embodiment also includes allowing the pomace to dry or acquiring dried pomace for grinding. After grinding the pomace into granules, the granules are sieved.
[00141 The additive of the invention is advantageously useful in all types of drilling fluids including oil mud, synthetic muds and aqueous muds.
[00151 In a preferred embodiment, the amount of fruit pomace included in the additive is at least 30% by weight fruit pomace to gain the advantage of maintaining the electrical stability within a predefined range, preferably greater than about 400 volts. More preferably, the amount of fruit pomace included in the additive is at least 40% by weight fruit pomace. In one embodiment, the additive of the invention can include substantially only one fluid loss, lost circulation and/or seepage control agent. In that case, the sole fluid loss, lost circulation and/or seepage control agent is fruit pomace. Depending upon the particular application, it can be desirable to add wetting agents, fungicides, biocides, or rheological agents to the additive. Another preferred embodiment includes an additive containing at least 98% by weight fruit pomace.
Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the additive includes only one fruit pomace, such as only tomato or only grape pomace.
[00161 The additive of the invention, when not substantially all fruit pomace, can contain other materials that are effective to inhibit seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss.
Inorganic materials are preferred, the inorganic material being ground to define an original inorganic size distribution.
[00171 The current invention includes mixing the pomace with organics to produce different blends that enhance the organics while maintaining electrical stability. Solid particles of organics added to a drilling fluid system tend to interfere with electrical charges. It has been observed that the addition of pomace in accordance with the invention counteracts this effect.
This is regarded to be an enhancement to the performance of the organics.
[00181 The invention also includes a method of performing drilling operations wherein the drilling fluid is circulated in a well being drilled in the ground wherein the invention includes the steps of preparing additive for addition to the drilling fluid, adding the additive to the drilling fluid, and circulating the drilling fluid with additive in the well while drilling operations are being carried out. Preparing the additive includes grinding an amount of fruit pomace to form granules and adding the amount of fruit pomace to create the additive. The amount of fruit pomace added is effective to substantially maintain the electric stability of the drilling fluid when added to the drilling fluid. The electric stability is to be maintained within HOUSTON\1591575.1 -5-the predefined range, the predefined range being effective such that an electrostatic measure for hydrocarbon content can be performed. The additive is also effective to inhibit seepage, lost circulation and/or fluid loss and the like. The ground fruit pomace granules are sieved such that the granules define an original particle size distribution.
[0019] Another preferred embodiment of the additive includes an amount of a facilitator effective to facilitate the incorporation of the additive into the drilling fluid such that the additive containing fruit pomaces acts to begin mixing with the drilling fluid immediately upon introduction of the additive to the drilling fluid. In this manner, the additive is substantially completely incorporated into the drilling fluid prior to delivery of the drilling fluid with additive downhole.
[0020] The structure and method of the present invention as well as other features, advantages, benefits and objects thereof over other structures and methods known in the art can be better understood with reference to the detailed description which follows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] A pomace, such as tomato, grape or beet, is generally described as the crushed matter remaining of the pressed items. This can contain any combination of pulp, skin, seed or other naturally occurring substance in the pressed item. These organic products can be used individually or in combination with each other or other products.
[0022] In drilling operations, drilling fluid electrical stability of about 350 volts or less, preferably about 250 volts or less, allows use of an electric logging tool. A
fluid is stable if the electrical stability is above about 400 volts in a weighted fluid, which is above 10 pounds per gallon weight. Electrical stability of an unweighted fluid, which is below 10 pounds per gallon, is typically considered stable at 200 volts and above. The drilling fluid, prior to addition of the additive, is relatively non-conductive. This is true of both oil based drilling HOUSTON\1591575.1 -6-fluids and aqueous based drilling fluids or invert emulsions. The presence of certain organic additives can interfere with electrical stability, as measured by used in API
RP 13 B-2.
[0023] While it is known in the industry to use organic products to reduce lost circulation, each organic product has its own set of characteristics that can be useful or disruptive to the drilling fluid system. Fruit pulp products, however, provide surprisingly efficient results over other organics and provide the unexpected benefit of maintaining electric stability, in contravention to expectations based on behavior of other organic additives. It is postulated that the unexpected efficacy results from naturally occurring compounds in fruit pomace.
This results in increased efficacy.
[0024] Wetting agents such as NOVAWETTM, a product of M-I Drilling fluids, are useful to enhance the dispersion of the additive throughout the drilling fluid for particular drilling fluids..
[0025] The fruit pomace to be ground is typical a byproduct from other industries and thus can be economically obtained. In fact, they are frequently considered waste materials and therefore pose a waste disposal problem. After acquiring the fruit pomace, further drying and/or pressing can be performed prior to such grinding, depending on the moisture content of the pomace. Another preferred embodiment includes heating the products for a length of time in order to sanitize the organic products, thus further reducing the possibility of undesirable biological activity when the additive is mixed with the drilling fluid.
[0026] After the organic products of the invention have been. ground, they are added to the drilling fluid. There are various apparatuses and methods known in the art for adding materials to drilling fluid such that the material is incorporated into the fluid, all of which are useful in this invention. A preferred embodiment includes mixing the additive into the drilling fluid using a conventional jet-type hopper.
HOUSTON\1591575.1 -7-[0027] The additive is typically ground coarse, medium, fine or ultra fine, depending upon the particular usage. Coarse is generally that which will pass through a 4 mesh and retained on a 60 mesh. Medium is consider that which will pass through a 20 mesh and be retained on a 100 mesh. Fine is typically that which will pass through a 60 mesh and be retained on a 600 mesh. Ultra fine passes through meshes smaller than 600 mesh. There are general categories of definitions and include some overlapping sizes of mesh. A
preferred embodiment of the current invention includes providing two to fifty lbs of additive per barrel of mud circulated.
[0028] Following are test results on electrical stability.
ELECTRICAL
STABILITY
COMPARISON
TEST
Sample Description:
Sample A - Grape Pomace Regular Sample B - Grape Pomace Fine Sample C - ground corn cob Sample D - Ground almond hulls Test Procedure:
A base mud formulation was prepared and the electrical stability measured.
This is reported below. 25 ppb sample was added and mixed 10 minutes. Samples were then rolled 72 hours at 150 F. Samples were removed from oven and electrical stability measured while samples were still at 150 F. Samples were then cooled to room temperature and the electrical stability measured again. Samples were then mixed one minute on multimixer and the electrical stability measured again.
Base Mud:
235 mis synthetic base oil 50 mis 10.8 ppg CaC12 brine 6 ppb organoclay ppb Lime 8 ppb Emulsifier 250 g Barite HOUSTON\1591575.1 -8-Results:
A .rapt : _~ = ., B Crape C - C oultd` I~ Almond Pom;cc vt IECgu(ar -"Pomace Fine Cozri Cob ` Steens ase Mud 470 494 508 501 Hots olled' 590 550 134 353 Room Temp 647 560 165 411 Imin mix 657 560 160 433 [0029] The additives and the method of their use are useful in drilling fluids that are oil muds, including diesel and synthetic oils. The additives and the method of their use are also useful in aqueous drilling fluids.
[0030] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus and structure.
[0031] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
[00321 Because many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0033] For example the additives of this invention for use with drilling fluids not only perform as control agents for seepage, lost circulation and lost fluid control with the novel benefit afforded by pomace, but they also act as a thinner. The use of these compounds for purposes of thinning is encompassed within this invention.
HOUSTON\1591575.1 -9-
Claims (18)
1. An additive for drilling fluid for use in a drilling operation, the additive comprising:
at least 30% by weight fruit pomace, the fruit pomace being ground to create granules, the granules being sieved to define an original size distribution, wherein the additive, when added to the drilling fluid inhibits seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss, and wherein the additive is effective to maintain the electric stability at greater than about 400 volts, such that an electrostatic measure for hydrocarbon content can be performed within a predetermined degree of error.
at least 30% by weight fruit pomace, the fruit pomace being ground to create granules, the granules being sieved to define an original size distribution, wherein the additive, when added to the drilling fluid inhibits seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss, and wherein the additive is effective to maintain the electric stability at greater than about 400 volts, such that an electrostatic measure for hydrocarbon content can be performed within a predetermined degree of error.
2. The additive of claim 1 wherein the fruit pomace is grape pomace.
3. The additive of claim 1 wherein the fruit pomace is tomato pomace.
4. The additive of claim 1 wherein the drilling fluid is an oil mud.
5. The additive of claim 4 wherein the drilling fluid is a synthetic mud.
6. The additive of claim 1 wherein the drilling fluid is aqueous.
7. The additive of claim 1 wherein the additive is at least 40% by weight fruit pomace.
8. The additive of claim 1 further comprising a wetting agent effective to enhance the dispersion of the additive throughout the drilling fluid.
9. The additive of claim 1 further comprising an inorganic material effective to inhibit seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss, the inorganic material being ground to define an original inorganic size distribution.
10. The additive of claim 1 wherein the additive contains at least 98% by weight fruit pomace.
11. A method of performing drilling operations wherein a drilling fluid is circulated in a well being drilled in the ground, the method comprising the steps of:
preparing an additive for addition to the drilling fluid including grinding an amount of fruit pomace to form granules having a uniform size distribution;
adding an amount of fruit pomace to the additive, the amount being effective such that the additive maintains the electric stability of the drilling fluid at greater than 400 volts, the additive also being effective to inhibit seepage, lost circulation and/or fluid loss;
sieving the ground fruit pomace such that the granules define an original particle size distribution;
adding the additive to the drilling fluid;
circulating the drilling fluid with additive in the well while drilling operations are being carried out, and electrostatically measuring the hydrocarbon content of drilling fluid.
preparing an additive for addition to the drilling fluid including grinding an amount of fruit pomace to form granules having a uniform size distribution;
adding an amount of fruit pomace to the additive, the amount being effective such that the additive maintains the electric stability of the drilling fluid at greater than 400 volts, the additive also being effective to inhibit seepage, lost circulation and/or fluid loss;
sieving the ground fruit pomace such that the granules define an original particle size distribution;
adding the additive to the drilling fluid;
circulating the drilling fluid with additive in the well while drilling operations are being carried out, and electrostatically measuring the hydrocarbon content of drilling fluid.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the fruit pomace is grape pomace.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the fruit pomace is tomato pomace.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the grinding of the fruit pomace to form granules creates an original particle size distribution.
15. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of drying the fruit pomace prior to adding the fruit pomace to the drilling fluid.
16. An additive for drilling fluid consisting of:
at least about 30% by weight fruit pomace, such that the additive, when added to the drilling fluid maintains the electric stability of the drilling fluid at above about 400 volts and such that an electrostatic measure for hydrocarbon content can be performed, the fruit pomace being ground to create granules, wherein the granules have been sieved to define an original size distribution, and wherein the additive inhibits seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss; and an amount of a facilitator effective to facilitate incorporation of the additive into the drilling fluid such that the additive mixes with the drilling fluid immediately upon introduction of the additive to the drilling fluid such that the additive is incorporated into the drilling fluid prior to delivery of the drilling fluid with additive downhole.
at least about 30% by weight fruit pomace, such that the additive, when added to the drilling fluid maintains the electric stability of the drilling fluid at above about 400 volts and such that an electrostatic measure for hydrocarbon content can be performed, the fruit pomace being ground to create granules, wherein the granules have been sieved to define an original size distribution, and wherein the additive inhibits seepage, lost circulation, and/or fluid loss; and an amount of a facilitator effective to facilitate incorporation of the additive into the drilling fluid such that the additive mixes with the drilling fluid immediately upon introduction of the additive to the drilling fluid such that the additive is incorporated into the drilling fluid prior to delivery of the drilling fluid with additive downhole.
17. The additive of claim 1, further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of fungicides, biocides and rheological agents.
18. The additive of claim 1, wherein the drilling fluid is a weighted fluid.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2452861A CA2452861C (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2003-12-12 | Method of use and composition of pomace additive |
| PCT/US2004/006150 WO2005061651A1 (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-03-02 | Method of use and composition of pomace additive |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2452861A CA2452861C (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2003-12-12 | Method of use and composition of pomace additive |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2452861A1 CA2452861A1 (en) | 2005-06-12 |
| CA2452861C true CA2452861C (en) | 2011-07-12 |
Family
ID=34658559
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2452861A Expired - Lifetime CA2452861C (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2003-12-12 | Method of use and composition of pomace additive |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2452861C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2005061651A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107011803B (en) * | 2017-04-20 | 2020-09-22 | 中国石油化工股份有限公司 | Sulfonated tannin extract and preparation method thereof |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5147852A (en) * | 1989-10-16 | 1992-09-15 | Venture Innovations, Inc. | Reduction of seepage losses in well working compositions |
| US5071575A (en) * | 1989-10-16 | 1991-12-10 | Venture Innovations, Inc. | Well working compositions, method of decreasing the seepage loss from such compositions, and additive therefor |
| US6399545B1 (en) * | 1999-07-23 | 2002-06-04 | Grinding & Sizing Co., Inc. | Method and composition of drilling with fluid including additive |
| EP1208282A1 (en) * | 1999-07-26 | 2002-05-29 | Grinding & Sizing Co., Inc. | Method for injecting dense additive into drilling wells and composition therefore |
| EA005728B1 (en) * | 2001-08-29 | 2005-06-30 | Бейкер Хьюз Инкорпорейтед | Lost circulation materials (lcm) effective to maintain emulsion stability of drilling fluid |
-
2003
- 2003-12-12 CA CA2452861A patent/CA2452861C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2004
- 2004-03-02 WO PCT/US2004/006150 patent/WO2005061651A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2452861A1 (en) | 2005-06-12 |
| WO2005061651A1 (en) | 2005-07-07 |
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