Abstract:

Organoclay is an important additive in oil base drilling fluid, whose main effect is to thicken and increase the yield point of the drilling fluid. A critical problem associated with commonorganoclays is that they are susceptible to decompose at high temperatures, and that the surfactant released may reduce the stability of the invert emulsion. To cope with this problem, a high temperature-tolerable organoclay (XNORB) is synthesized with optimally selected quartered-ammonium and by chelation. Result evaluation indicates that the XNORB not only has good dispersal ability and thickening effect in diesel and mineral oils, but also can remain stable at temperatures as high as 220℃ while showing no disadvantageous influence on the emulsion’s stability.

Key words: organoclay, high temperature, decomposition, chelation, evaluation