A lost circulation material (LCM) having date fruit caps is provided. The date fruit cap LCM includes date fruit caps from a date tree. The date fruit caps have multiple flakes (for example, three flakes) attached at one end to an end cap and free at the other end. The date fruit caps may be obtained from the waste product of date tree and date fruit processing. The date fruit cap LCM may be added to a drilling fluid (for example, a drilling mud) to mitigate or prevent such lost circulation in a well. Methods of lost circulation control with the date fruit cap LCM are also provided.

Degradable polymer additives are provided. The degradable polymer additives include a tracer functional group that is bonded to a base polymeric component by a hydrolysable covalent bond. The base polymeric component is a polysaccharide. The tracer functional group is selected from the group comprising a halogen-containing functional group, a substituted heterocyclic aromatic group, and combination thereof. A method utilizing the degradable polymeric additives in an altered drilling fluid is provided. Such a method includes introducing the altered drilling fluid into a wellbore and recovering an associated wellbore cutting from a depleted drilling fluid.

Degradable polymer additives are provided. The degradable polymer additives include a tracer functional group that is bonded to a base polymeric component by a hydrolysable covalent bond. The base polymeric component is a polysaccharide. The tracer functional group is selected from the group comprising a halogen-containing functional group, a substituted heterocyclic aromatic group, and combination thereof. A method utilizing the degradable polymeric additives in an altered drilling fluid is provided. Such a method includes introducing the altered drilling fluid into a wellbore and recovering an associated wellbore cutting from a depleted drilling fluid.

Compounds are identified that act as crystallization suppressants when added to clear brine fluids, significantly lowering the true crystallization temperatures of the brines, and allowing for higher salt content in clear brine fluids. The crystallization suppressants of the invention also allow for the preparation of higher density zinc free brines. Crystallization suppressant blends are also identified that allow for the preparation of high density clear brine fluids with lower viscosities.

Compounds are identified that act as crystallization suppressants when added to clear brine fluids, significantly lowering the true crystallization temperatures of the brines, and allowing for higher salt content in clear brine fluids. The crystallization suppressants of the invention also allow for the preparation of higher density zinc free brines. Crystallization suppressant blends are also identified that allow for the preparation of high density clear brine fluids with lower viscosities.

A composition having: 91% to 97% by weight a first component; and 3% to 9% by weight of a second component, the first component having one, two, or three of the following chlorinated-hydrocarbon subcomponents: the first chlorinated-hydrocarbon subcomponent being a plurality of chlorinated hydrocarbons that range from 35% to 45% by weight chlorine, the second chlorinated-hydrocarbon subcomponent being a plurality of chlorinated hydrocarbons that range from 45% to 55% by weight chlorine, and the third chlorinated-hydrocarbon subcomponent being a plurality of chlorinated hydrocarbons that range from 55% to 65% by weight chlorine, the second component being ethoxylated castor oil, calcium alkylbenzene sulfonate, or a combination thereof.

A composition having: 91% to 97% by weight a first component; and 3% to 9% by weight of a second component, the first component having one, two, or three of the following chlorinated-hydrocarbon subcomponents: the first chlorinated-hydrocarbon subcomponent being a plurality of chlorinated hydrocarbons that range from 35% to 45% by weight chlorine, the second chlorinated-hydrocarbon subcomponent being a plurality of chlorinated hydrocarbons that range from 45% to 55% by weight chlorine, and the third chlorinated-hydrocarbon subcomponent being a plurality of chlorinated hydrocarbons that range from 55% to 65% by weight chlorine, the second component being ethoxylated castor oil, calcium alkylbenzene sulfonate, or a combination thereof.

Brine-tolerant lubricants are provided. The brine-tolerant lubricants may comprise an oil component, a surfactant component, and, optionally, an additive component. In one aspect, the oil component comprises a fatty acid alkyl ester. In one aspect, the surfactant component comprises at least one of an alkoxylated fatty acid and an alkoxylated fatty alcohol. Also provided are methods for increasing the lubricity of a drilling fluid by contacting the drilling fluid with the brine-tolerant lubricants.

An aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; and an additive, wherein the additive comprises a biopolymer matrix and a compound comprising a functional group containing nitrogen, A method of using the aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising: introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore, wherein the wellbore penetrates a subterranean formation.

An aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; and an additive, wherein the additive comprises a biopolymer matrix and a compound comprising a functional group containing nitrogen, A method of using the aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising: introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore, wherein the wellbore penetrates a subterranean formation.