Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An improved aqueous drilling fluid containing a surfactant-dispersant and a colloidal suspension of asphaltic solids in an aqueous fluid in the absence of oil comprising water and an additive comprised of colloidal asphaltic solids and a surfactant-dispersant comprising a mixture of sulfonated lignin mixed with a fatty acid amide, wherein the fatty acid precursor contains 12-18 carbon atoms and the amine precursor is an alkyl or aryl amino sulfonic acid, wherein the alkyl or aryl radicals contain 1-6 carbon atoms, wherein the fatty acid amide is mixed with said sulfonated lignin in an amount equal to about 25-75% of said mixture and wherein said additive is present in said aqueous drilling fluid in an amount in the range of from about 0.5-2% by weight of the fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An improved aqueous drilling fluid containing a surfactant-dispersant and a colloidal suspension of asphaltic solids in an aqueous fluid in the absence of oil comprising water and an additive comprised of colloidal asphaltic solids and a surfactant-dispersant comprising a mixture of sulfonated lignin mixed with a fatty acid amide, wherein the fatty acid precursor contains 12-18 carbon atoms and the amine precursor is an alkyl or aryl amino sulfonic acid, wherein the alkyl or aryl radicals contain 1-6 carbon atoms, wherein the fatty acid amide is mixed with said sulfonated lignin in an amount equal to about 25-75% of said mixture and wherein said additive is present in said aqueous drilling fluid in an amount in the range of from about 0.5-2% by weight of the fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fluid of claim 1 wherein the amino sulfonic acid is a sulfonic acid other than N-methyl taurine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a process for drilling a well through a subterranean formation comprising circulating in said well a liquid drilling fluid, the improvement of using as at least a portion of said drilling fluid a continuous aqueous phase drilling fluid free of oil containing from about 0.5%-2% by weight of said aqueous fluid of an additive comprising suspended asphaltic material and a surfactant-dispersant comprising a mixture of a sulfonated lignin mixed with a fatty acid amide, wherein the fatty acid precursor contains 12-18 carbon atoms and the amine precursor is an alkyl or aryl amino sulfonic acid, wherein the alkyl or aryl radicals contain 1-6 carbon atoms, wherein the fatty acid amide is mixed with said sulfonated lignin in an amount equal to about 25-75% of said mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a process for drilling a well through a subterranean formation comprising circulating in said well a liquid drilling fluid, the improvement of using as at least a portion of said drilling fluid a continuous aqueous phase drilling fluid free of oil containing from about 0.5%-2% by weight of said aqueous fluid of an additive comprising suspended asphaltic material and a surfactant-dispersant comprising a mixture of a sulfonated lignin mixed with a fatty acid amide, wherein the fatty acid precursor contains 12-18 carbon atoms and the amine precursor is an alkyl or aryl amino sulfonic acid, wherein the alkyl or aryl radicals contain 1-6 carbon atoms, wherein the fatty acid amide is mixed with said sulfonated lignin in an amount equal to about 25-75% of said mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process of claim 3 wherein the amino sulfonic acid is a sulfonic acid other than N-methyl taurine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a process for drilling a well through a subterranean formation comprising circulating in said well an aqueous, oil-free drilling fluid, the improvement for improving lubrication and fluid loss control of adding to said aqueous fluid in the absence of oil from about 0.5%-2% by weight of said aqueous fluid of a mixture of asphaltic material and a surfactant-dispersant comprising a mixture of sulfonated lignin mixed with a fatty acid amide, wherein the fatty acid precursor contains 12-18 carbon atoms and the amine precursor is an alkyl or aryl amino sulfonic acid, wherein the alkyl or aryl radicals contain 1-6 carbon atoms, and wherein the fatty acid amide is mixed with said sulfonated lignin in an amount equal to about 25-75% of said mixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a process for drilling a well through a subterranean formation comprising circulating in said well an aqueous, oil-free drilling fluid, the improvement for improving lubrication and fluid loss control of adding to said aqueous fluid in the absence of oil from about 0.5%-2% by weight of said aqueous fluid of a mixture of asphaltic material and a surfactant-dispersant comprising a mixture of sulfonated lignin mixed with a fatty acid amide, wherein the fatty acid precursor contains 12-18 carbon atoms and the amine precursor is an alkyl or aryl amino sulfonic acid, wherein the alkyl or aryl radicals contain 1-6 carbon atoms, and wherein the fatty acid amide is mixed with said sulfonated lignin in an amount equal to about 25-75% of said mixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process of claims 5 wherein the amino sulfonic acid is a sulfonic acid other than N-methyl taurine.