Wellbore Fluids Comprising Poly(trimethylene ether) glycol Polymers

Abstract

Wellbore fluids containing poly(trimethylene ether)glycols are provided. The wellbore fluids can provide enhanced functionality, improved cost effectiveness, and reduced environmental impact as compared to conventional wellbore fluids.

1 . A wellbore fluid comprising (a) a base fluid; (b) one or more renewably sourced polymers selected from the group consisting of poly(trimethylene ether)glycol homopolymer, poly(trimethylene ether)glycol copolymers and poly(trimethylene ether)glycol esters; and (c) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of surfactants, fluid loss control additives, salts, and acid gas scavengers. 
   
   
       2 . The fluid of  claim 1 , further comprising an antioxidant. 
   
   
       3 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the base fluid is water-based. 
   
   
       4 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the base fluid is at least about 75% by weight of the wellbore fluid. 
   
   
       5 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the base fluid is oil-based. 
   
   
       6 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the base fluid is an oil-in-water emulsion or a water-in-oil emulsion. 
   
   
       7 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 6  wherein the amount of the polymer in the water-in-oil emulsion base fluid is 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the fluid. 
   
   
       8 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the renewably sourced polymer has a renewable content of from 20 to 100% by weight. 
   
   
       9 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the renewably sourced polymer has a number average molecular weight from 250 to 5000. 
   
   
       10 . The wellbore fluid of of  claim 1  wherein the amount of renewable sourced polymer is 1 to 90% by weight based on the total weight of the fluid. 
   
   
       11 . The wellbore fluid of  claim 1  wherein the renewable sourced polymer has one or more function selected from the group consisting of: viscosifier, lubricant, foamer, scale inhibitor, and heat transfer agent. 
   
   
       12 . A method for increasing the viscosity of a water-in-oil type wellbore fluid by adding to said wellbore fluid, at least about 1 weight percent, based on the total weight of the wellbore fluid, of one or more poly(trimethylene ether) glycols, said glycols comprising one or members selected from the group consisting of: poly(trimethylene ether)glycol homopolymer, poly(trimethylene ether)glycol copolymers, and poly(trimethylene ether)glycol esters. 
   
   
       13 . A method of increasing the lubricity of a wellbore fluid by adding a polymer in  claim 1  having a coefficient of friction ranging from 0.03 to 0.09. 
   
   
       14 . A method of increasing the heat transfer properties of a wellbore fluid by adding to the wellbore fluid a polymer of  claim 1  having thermal conductivity ranging from 0.15 to 0.2 watts/m ° K. at 100 degrees F. 
   
   
       15 . A method of increasing the foaming characterstics of wellbore fluid by adding a polymer having a molecular weight ranging from 250 to 1900. 
   
   
       16 . A method of using a wellbore fluid in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a wellbore fluid comprising (a) a base fluid; (b) one or more renewably sourced polymers selected from the group consisting of poly(trimethylene ether)glycol homopolymer, poly(trimethylene ether)glycol copolymers and poly(trimethylene ether)glycol esters; and (c) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of surfactants, fluid loss control additives, salts, and acid gas scavengers; and using the wellbore fluid to drill a well bore in the subterranean formation. 
   
   
       17 . A method of drilling a well in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a wellbore fluid comprising (a) a base fluid; (b) one or more renewably sourced polymers selected from the group consisting of poly(trimethylene ether) glycol homopolymer, poly(trimethylene ether)glycol copolymers and poly(trimethylene ether)glycol esters; and (c) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of surfactants, fluid loss control additives, salts, and acid gas scavengers; and placing the wellbore fluid within a well bore in contact with a drill bit and the subterranean formation.