ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE DRILLING FLUID

摘要

The invention provides methods for either (a) increasing the yield point or gel strength of an aqueous (water) base drilling fluid; (b) decreasing the fluid loss of an aqueous base drilling fluid; (c) decreasing the coefficient of friction of an aqueous base drilling fluid; or (d) decreasing the aqueous activity of an aqueous base fluid thus decreasing the swelling of shales contacted by an aqueous base fluid, the methods comprising adding to the drilling fluid an amount of an alkyl glycoside, preferably methyl glucoside, sufficient to effect such increase or decrease. The invention also provides aqueous base fluids containing an alkyl glycoside. The aqueous base drilling fluid is circulated within a borehole during drilling for oil and/or gas to perform the functions well known in the drilling art.