Patent · US Active

Shale hydration inhibition agent and method of use

US7494958B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
6References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 6, 2005
Grant dateFeb 24, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 16, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC09K2208/12
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A water-base wellbore fluid for use in subterranean wells that penetrate through a subterranean formation containing a shale which swells in the presence of water. The well bore fluid includes, an aqueous based continuous phase, and a shale hydration inhibition agent. One illustrative shale hydration inhibition agent is preferably the reaction product of a hydrogenation reaction of the product of the reaction of an aromatic amine with an aldehyde, preferably formaldehyde. Alternatively the shale hydration inhibition agent may be the reaction product of a hydrogenation reaction of the product of the reaction of aniline and formaldehyde. In one illustrative embodiment, the shale hydration inhibition agent is selected from the class of compounds known as polycycloaliphatic amines. The shale hydration inhibition agent is present in sufficient concentration to substantially reduce the swelling of shale drilling cuttings upon contact with the fluid.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.