OIL WELL DRILLING FLUIDS WITH IMPROVED ANTI-SETTLING PROPERTIES AND METHODS OF PROVIDING ANTI-SETTLING PROPERTIES TO OIL WELL DRILLING FLUIDS

摘要

An improved drilling fluid with enhanced anti-settling properties useful for oil welldrilling systems is described. The invention includes a process for providing anti-settlingproperties to oil invert (i.e., water in oil emulsion) based fluids. The drilling fluid/drillingmud invention contains at least one copolymer reaction product of which the reactantscomprise at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic compound and at least onealpha-olefin. As an alternative embodiment one or more rheologically-active claysincluding organoclays and smectite clays in combination with such copolymer reactionproduct are also added to the drilling fluid. The invention also includes an anti-settlingadditive comprising a rheologically active clay and the above described copolymer.