Drilling fluid and methods

Abstract

A drilling fluid comprising: a non-ionic surfactant including: a branched alcohol ethoxylate and/or a capped alcohol ethoxylate; and a detergent builder.

1 . A drilling fluid comprising: 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of (i) a branched alcohol ethoxylate and/or (ii) a capped alcohol ethoxylate; and 0.01% to 0.5% by weight of a detergent builder. 
     
     
         2 . The drilling fluid of  claim 1  further comprising a viscosifier. 
     
     
         3 . The drilling fluid of  claim 1  wherein the branched alcohol ethoxylate includes alkyl polyethylene glycol ethers based on C10-Guerbet alcohol and ethylene oxide. 
     
     
         4 . The drilling fluid of  claim 1  wherein the capped alcohol ethoxylate includes chlorine capped ethoxylated C10-14-ISO alcohols. 
     
     
         5 . The drilling fluid of  claim 1  wherein the capped alcohol ethoxylate is a chlorine capped ethoxylated C9-11 ISO, C10 rich alcohols. 
     
     
         6 . The drilling fluid of  claim 1  wherein the detergent builder includes a phosphate-type builder. 
     
     
         7 . The drilling fluid of  claim 6  wherein the detergent builder includes a pyrophosphate-type builder. 
     
     
         8 . The drilling fluid of  claim 7  wherein the detergent builder is TKPP. 
     
     
         9 . The drilling fluid of  claim 1  wherein the detergent builder includes a silicate-type builder. 
     
     
         10 . The drilling fluid of  claim 1  further comprising a lubricant including a plant-based oil. 
     
     
         11 . The drilling fluid of  claim 10  wherein the lubricant includes a fatty acid methyl ester. 
     
     
         12 . The drilling fluid of  claim 10  wherein the lubricant includes soybean oil. 
     
     
         13 . The drilling fluid of  claim 10  wherein the lubricant includes canola oil. 
     
     
         14 . The drilling fluid of  claim 10  wherein the lubricant includes vegetable oil. 
     
     
         15 . The drilling fluid of  claim 10  wherein the lubricant is non-ionic and has a flash point greater than 148° C. 
     
     
         16 . The drilling fluid of  claim 1  further comprising a defoamer. 
     
     
         17 . The drilling fluid of  claim 16  wherein the defoamer is fatty alcohol ethoxylate. 
     
     
         18 . The drilling fluid of  claim 1  wherein the branched alcohol ethoxylate is an alkyl polyethylene glycol ether based on C10-Guerbet alcohol and ethylene oxide; the detergent builder is TKPP; and 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of a plant-based oil. 
     
     
         19 .- 55 . (canceled)