Phospholipid lubricating agents in aqueous based drilling fluids

摘要

A method of improving the lubricity of an aqueous based drilling fluid composed of an aqueous base fluid, and a weighting agent. The method involves the addition of an effective amount of a phospholipid to substantially reduce the coefficient of friction when compared to the fluid absent the phospholipids. Preferably the phospholipids have the structure: in which R and R' are C₆ to C₂₅ hydrocarbon groups; and A is an anion to counter the cationic charge.