Quality Criteria in Selecting Glycols as Alternatives to Oil-Based Drilling Fluid Systems

Abstract

Abstract High performance polyglycol and polyglycerol based drilling fluids are growing in use to replace less environmentally acceptable oil-based, and the newer "synthetic", invert emulsion drilling fluids. The characteristics and properties of these polyglycols and polyglycerols are presented, discussed and recommendations made with respect to shale stabilization, bit balling, torque reduction, differential sticking and gas hydrates formation.