Increasing environmental constraints have stimulated new developments in drilling fluid technology. To minimize environmental impact of conventional oil-base mud, more environmentally friendly synthetic-based drilling fluids, or muds (SBMs), have been developed.
Although the synthetic base fluids (SBF) may be biodegradable and less toxic, some of them may be incompatible with downhole elastomers. Chemical and thermal degradation of the elastomers can change the physical properties such as volume, elongation, hardness, tear-
strength, and tensile strength. These changes in elastomer physical properties can cause oil tools to fail prematurely. The effects of drilling fluids on elastomers strongly depend upon the chemistry of both the
elastomer material and synthetic base fluid, which is the continuous phase of the drilling fluid. Normally, base fluids have a greater effect on elastomers than do the surfactants and other additives of the drilling fluid formulations. Property changes of elastomers can vary widely depending on functionality, molecular weight, and polarity of the base fluid. Highly polar and lower molecular weight base fluids have profound effects on elastomers. The ultimate performance of the elastomer is dependent on the choice of both elastomer and the base fluid chemistry. Various synthetic base fluids and synthetic-based mud formulations were evaluated for their compatibility with several elastomers and their performance compared to that of conventional oil-base muds.
Keywords: synthetic drilling fluids; elastomers; chemical composition.