Drilling fluids and methods of making and using drilling fluids are provided. The drilling fluid contains an aqueous phase, an oleaginous phase, and at least one surfactant having the formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH, where R is a hydrocarbyl group having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 to 10. Methods of producing drilling fluids include mixing an aqueous phase, an oleaginous phase, and at least one surfactant, and shearing the mixture. Methods of using drilling fluids to drill subterranean formations include mixing an aqueous phase, an oleaginous phase, and at least one surfactant to produce a mixture, which is sheared to form a drilling fluid, and pumped through a drill string in a drill bit located in a subterranean formation. Rock cuttings are transported from the drill bit to a surface of the subterranean formation and the drilling fluid is circulated in the subterranean formation.

A wellbore servicing fluid comprises an aqueous base fluid, one or more alkali metal or alkali earth metal salts, at least one visocisifier, and a filtration control package. The filtration control package may comprise a carboxylic acid and an ethoxylated alcohol compound. Alternatively, the filtration control package may comprise a polyethylene glycol. The carboxylic acid may have from 8 to 20 carbon atoms. The ethoxylated alcohol compound may have a general formula R(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.xOH, where R is a hydrocarbon having from 10 to 16 atoms and x is an integer from 6 to 9. The ethoxylated alcohol compound may have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of from 8.0 to 16.0. The polyethylene glycol may have a mass average molar mass (M.sub.w) of less than or equal to 1500 daltons.

Anti-bit balling drilling fluids and methods of making and using drilling fluids are provided. The anti-bit balling drilling fluid contains water, a clay-based component, and at least one of a surfactant having the formula: R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.xOH, where R is a hydrocarbyl group having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 1 and 10, or a polyethylene glycol having the formula: H(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.nOH, where n is an integer from 1 to 50. Methods of making and using these drilling fluids are also provided.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a well bore cementing system may comprise a spacer fluid and a cement slurry. The spacer fluid may be positioned within a well bore, and the spacer fluid may comprise a first surfactant package comprising one or more surfactants. The cement slurry may be positioned within the well bore, and the cement slurry may comprise a second surfactant package comprising one or more surfactants.

In one embodiment, a retarded acid system comprises an aqueous acid and a retarding surfactant. The aqueous acid may comprise from 5 wt. % to 25 wt. % of a strong acid, that is, an acid having a K.sub.a greater than or equal to 0.01. The aqueous acid may further comprise from 75 wt. % to 95 wt. % water. The retarding surfactant may have the general chemical formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.XOH where R is a hydrocarbon having from 11 to 15 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 6 to 10. The retarding surfactant may have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance from 8 to 16.

The present invention provides stable water-in-oil emulsions suitable for use as fire-resistant aerosol multipurpose lubricants. The water-in-oil emulsion comprises a synthetic ester base oil, compatible invert emulsifier, water, and a preservative. The aerosol apparatus employs a larger than standard stem orifice to produce a non-flammable aerosol.

In one embodiment, a retarded acid system comprises an aqueous acid and a retarding surfactant. The aqueous acid may comprise from 5 wt. % to 25 wt. % of a strong acid, that is, an acid having a K.sub.a greater than or equal to 0.01. The aqueous acid may further comprise from 75 wt. % to 95 wt. % water. The retarding surfactant may have the general chemical formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.XOH where R is a hydrocarbon having from 11 to 15 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 6 to 10. The retarding surfactant may have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance from 8 to 16.

Embodiments are directed to a lubricant package for water based drilling fluids. The lubricant package includes water, a polyethylene glycol, and a lubricating agent. The lubricating agent includes triethanolamine, or a C.sub.12-C.sub.14 alcohol ethoxylate, or a combination of triethanolamine and C.sub.12-C.sub.14 alcohol ethoxylate. The weight ratio of the polyethylene glycol to the lubricating agent in the lubricant package is from 1:2 to 2:1. Embodiments are also directed to a water-based drilling fluid composition including an aqueous base fluid, one or more additives, and the lubricant package for water based drilling fluids.

In one embodiment, a retarded acid system comprises an aqueous acid and a retarding surfactant. The aqueous acid may comprise from 5 wt. % to 25 wt. % of a strong acid, that is, an acid having a K.sub.a greater than or equal to 0.01. The aqueous acid may further comprise from 75 wt. % to 95 wt. % water. The retarding surfactant may have the general chemical formula R(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.XOH where R is a hydrocarbon having from 11 to 15 carbon atoms and x is an integer from 6 to 10. The retarding surfactant may have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance from 8 to 16.

A drilling fluid composition which includes a base fluid, one or more additives, and a viscosifier package. The base fluid is an invert emulsion comprising oil and water. Further, the one or more additives is chosen from an emulsifier, a weighting material, a fluid-loss control additive, or an alkaline compound. The viscosifier package includes a fatty acid having 6 or more carbon atoms and an aliphatic polyester. The drilling fluid composition has a yield point of from 30 lb.sub.f/100 ft.sup.2 to 100 lb.sub.f/100 ft.sup.2 and a low shear yield point of from 10 lb.sub.f/100 ft.sup.2 to 40 lb.sub.f/100 ft.sup.2. The associated method of drilling a subterranean well including operating a drill in a wellbore in the presence of the drilling fluid composition is also provided.