Abstract:
PRE-TEATMENT OR POST-TREATMENT OF OIL BASE DRILLING FLUIDS FOR OIL WELL APPLICATIONS FOR PURPOSES OF STABILIZING THE FLUID AGANINST DETERIORATION UPON CONTAMINATION WITH WATER BASE DRILLING FLUIDS, WITH OR WITHOUT CLAY SOLIDS, IS EFFECTED BY ADDING TO THE OIL BASE FLUID AN AMPHOTERIC SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT CONTAINING BOTH ANIONIC AND CATIONIC SURFACE-ACTIVE GROUPS. EXEMPLARY COMPOUNDS WHICH ARE EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE SUFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS IN THE FUNCTION ARE AMINES AND BETAINES WHICH CONTAIN ONE OR MORE CARBOXYL OR CARBOXYLATE GROUPS. ENHANCED EFFECTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE EMPLOYING SUCH AMPHOTERIC COMPOUNDS WITH SUFONATE TYPE ANINIC SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS.