Southern Clay Products, Inc.

Paul W Carroll

William R Menking

David Hugh Durham

Thomas C Farrow

Milburn I Knudson, Jr

Chris A Rasmussen

David J Hanlon

Patricia M Lewis

An organoclay composition comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with an alkyl quaternary ammonium salt said mixture comprising: mineral clay (a) comprising 50 to 95 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a mineral clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite and mixtures of sepiolite and palygorskite; and mineral clay (b) comprising the balance by weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a smectite.

Organoclay compositions and method of preparation

An oil base environmentally benign drilling fluid composition having a stable high viscosity and high gel strength at use temperatures of up to at least 450.degree. F. The drilling fluid includes a low toxicity biodegradable oil vehicle, and as a viscosifying agent an organoclay which is the reaction product of a mineral clay mixture and an alkyl quaternary ammonium salt. The mineral clay mixture comprises at least 50% by weight of a mineral clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite and mixtures of sepiolite and palygorskite; and substantially the balance of the mixture is a smectite. Conventional additives such as emulsifiers and fillers may also be present in the drilling fluid.

High temperature environmentally benign drilling fluid, and viscosifying

A method for preparing a time-stable, low viscosity, pumpable high solids aqueous bentonite slurry which has good application properties upon dilution and use. An aqueous solution of at least first and second salt components is prepared in which there is dispersed at least 8% by weight of the resultant slurry of a powdered bentonite. The first salt component is selected to give if used alone an acceptably low viscosity to the slurry at said high solids and at least good application properties upon the dilution and use. The second salt component is selected to act in combination with the first salt component to substantially further decrease the acceptably low viscosity at a specified high solids content or to enable increase of the solids content while maintaining the acceptably low viscosity, while not substantially impairing the application properties. The high solids pumpable slurry product is also claimed.

Method for preparing high solids bentonite slurries

A smectite clay is provided as an elevated solids aqueous slurry e.g. up to 50% solids, which is composed of the smectite clay slurried or dispersed in water containing an effective concentration of a monovalent salt. When such a salt is present in the clay slurry, the clay does not swell appreciably, is essentially inactive, and the slurry can be shipped and stored without creating a gelling problem. When this slurry is diluted with fresh water at the point of application to make it of the desired solids content for use, the smectite clay is activated and exhibits the desired properties, such as viscosity, retention, etc.

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Gonzales, TX, United States of America

Paul W Carroll