| 摘要 |
A water-base drilling fluid for use in drilling wells through a formation containing a shale which swells in the presence of water. The drilling fluid preferably includes: an aqueous based continuous phase, a weight material, a nd a shale hydration inhibition agent having the formula: H2N- CH(CH3)CH2 { - OCH2CH(CH3)- }x -NH2 in which x is a value less than 15. The shale hydration inhibition agent should be present in sufficient concentration to reduce the swelling of the shale. Preferably x has an average number between about 1 an d about 5 and more preferably x has an average number of about 2.6. Also inclusive of the present invention is a method of reducing the swelling of shale clay encountered during the drilling of a subterranean well, the metho d comprising circulating in the well a water-base drilling fluid formulated in accordance with the present invention. |
