The present invention provides non-toxic, biodegradable olefin isomers which may be used as lubricants, rate of penetration enhancers, and/or spotting fluids for water-based drilling muds. When used as a spotting fluid additive, the olefin isomers preferably are supplemented with functional additives, namely emulsifiers, viscosifiers, surfactants, and/or brine. When used as lubricants and/or rate of penetration enhancers, the olefin isomers preferably are used alone or in combination with surfactants.