Patent ID: 7018955
Filing Date: 2006-03-28
Classification: C09K

Abstract:
1. A drilling fluid comprising: a liquid base selected from the group consisting of water, water-miscible liquids, and mixtures thereof; an alkyl glycoside, said alkyl glycoside being present in an amount effective to inhibit shale swelling and being selected from among the α-form, the β-form, and mixtures thereof, said alkyl glycoside selected from among the methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl glycosides of glucose, maltose, maltotriose, and maltotetraose; and carboxyalkylated corn hulls, said carboxyalkylated corn hulls being selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl, carboxyethyl, carboxypropyl, and carboxybutyl corn hulls, said carboxyalkylated corn hulls being present in said drilling fluid in an amount effective to inhibit loss of said drilling fluid into a wellbore formation.