Drilling fluid additives and fracturing fluid additives containing cellulose nanofibers and/or nanocrystals

Abstract

This disclosure provides drilling fluids and additives as well as fracturing fluids and additives that contain cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals. In some embodiments, hydrophobic nanocellulose is provided which can be incorporated into oil-based fluids and additives. These water-based or oil-based fluids and additives may further include lignosulfonates and other biomass-derived components. Also, these water-based or oil-based fluids and additives may further include enzymes. The drilling and fracturing fluids and additives described herein may be produced using the AVAP® process technology to produce a nanocellulose precursor, followed by low-energy refining to produce nanocellulose for incorporation into a variety of drilling and fracturing fluids and additives.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fracturing fluid additive comprising (i) cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals and (ii) lignosulfonates. 
     
     
         2 . The fracturing fluid additive of  claim 1 , wherein said cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals are hydrophobic. 
     
     
         3 . The fracturing fluid additive of  claim 2 , wherein said cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals are lignin-coated. 
     
     
         4 . The fracturing fluid additive of  claim 1 , wherein said cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals are hydrophilic. 
     
     
         5 . The fracturing fluid additive of  claim 1 , wherein said cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals are crosslinked. 
     
     
         6 . A fracturing fluid comprising a drilling fluid additive containing cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals. 
     
     
         7 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 6 , wherein said cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals are hydrophobic. 
     
     
         8 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 6 , wherein said cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals are lignin-coated. 
     
     
         9 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 6 , wherein said cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals are hydrophilic. 
     
     
         10 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 6 , wherein said cellulose nanofibers and/or cellulose nanocrystals are crosslinked. 
     
     
         11 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 6 , wherein said fracturing fluid is a water-based drilling fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 6 , wherein said fracturing fluid is an oil-based drilling fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 6 , wherein said fracturing fluid is a hybrid water-based/oil-based drilling fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 6 , said fracturing fluid further comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a biomass-derived acid, a biomass-derived corrosion inhibitor, a biomass-derived friction reducer, a biomass-derived clay-control agent, a biomass-derived crosslinking agent, a biomass-derived scale inhibitor, a biomass-derived breaker, a biomass-derived iron-control agent, a biomass-derived biocide, a biorefinery-derived source of recycled or recovered water, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 14 , wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, formic acid, levulinic acid, lignosulfonic acid, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 14 , wherein said corrosion inhibitor comprises lignin or a lignin derivative. 
     
     
         17 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 14 , wherein said friction reducer comprises lignosulfonate or a lignosulfonate derivative. 
     
     
         18 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 14 , said fracturing fluid further comprising, or in combination with, a proppant. 
     
     
         19 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 18 , wherein said proppant includes a biomass-derived proppant. 
     
     
         20 . The fracturing fluid of  claim 19 , wherein said biomass-derived proppant is ash or sand.