Drilling fluids containing biodegradable organophilic clay treated with an amide-containing quaternary ammonium surfactant

摘要

Methods are provided including methods of treating a well bore with drilling fluids comprising organophilic clays treated with quaternary ammonium surfactants having at least two amide linkages. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a drilling fluid comprising a nonaqueous phase and an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having at least two amide linkages; and placing at least a portion of the drilling fluid into the well bore. In other embodiments, the methods comprise combining an organophilic clay with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having at least one amide linkage to form a mixture, and combining the mixture with a fluid comprising a nonaqueous phase to form a drilling fluid. Additional methods are also provided.