USE OF SELECTED OLEOPHILIC ETHERS IN WATER-BASED DRILLING FLUIDS OF THE O/W EMULSION TYPE AND CORRESPONDING DRILLING FLUIDS WITH IMPROVED ECOLOGICAL ACCEPTABILITY

摘要

Use of selected oleophilic ethers in water-based drilling fluids of theO/W-emulsion type, and also corresponding drilling fluids with with improved ecological acceptability The use is disclosed of at least largely water-insoluble ethers whichare fluid and/or at least plastically deformable at working temperature and have flash points of at least 80.degree.C, of mono- and/or polyfunctional alcohols of natural and/or synthetic origin or corresponding solutions of such ethers in ecologically acceptable water-insoluble oils as the dispersed oil phase of water-based O/W-emulsion drilling fluids which are suitable for the environmentally friendly development of geological formations and which contain, if desired, insoluble, finely particulate weighting agents for the formation of water-base O/W-emulsion drilling muds and/or further additives, such as emulsifiers, fluid-loss additives, wetting agents, alkali reserves and/or auxiliary substances for the inhibition of drilled rock of high water-sensitivity.