| abstract |
Aphron-containing oil based well drilling and servicing fluids are disclosed which seal microfractutres and the like during drilling and well servicing operations, thus decreasing the volume of fluid lost to the formations contacted by the fluids. The fluids comprise an oleaginous liquid as the continuous phase, a viscosifier which imparts a low shear rate viscosity to the fluids of at least 10,000 centipoise, an aphron-generating surfactant, and aphrons. The fluids are used in a conventional method of drilling an oil and/or gas well or in conventional methods of servicing or treating such wells, such as in completion, workover, sand control, and frac pack operations, and as spotting fluids to released stuck pipes or tools in a wellbore. |