Boring With Specific Fluid Patents (Class 175/65)
  • Patent number: 7981845
    Abstract: This relates to a method and composition for forming and utilizing a fluid in the oilfield services industry including exposing a polyacid and/or polyacid derivative to a preparation method, introducing the prepared polyacid and/or polyacid derivative to a fluid to form a treatment fluid, and treating a subterranean formation and/or a wellbore with the treatment fluid, wherein the viscosity of the treatment fluid is not observably reduced by introducing the prepared polyacid and/or polyacid derivative to a treatment fluid. This also relates to a method and composition for use in the oil field services industry including a prepared polyacid and/or polyacid derivative, a fluid, and a viscosity control agent, wherein the viscosity of the composition is not observably lower than if the prepared polyacid and/or polyacid derivative were not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mathew M. Samuel, Balkrishna Gadiyar, Sai Aung Zaw Min
  • Patent number: 7971642
    Abstract: A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons is described. The method includes drilling a wellbore using a drilling fluid, conditioning the drilling fluid, running a production string in the wellbore and gravel packing an interval of the wellbore with a carrier fluid. The production string includes a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end, the load sleeve assembly having at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit disposed therethrough. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Ted A. Long
  • Patent number: 7964537
    Abstract: An air drilling misting fluid is provided and the fluid comprises: a continuous liquid phase solution comprising syrup, syrup solids and a first liquid medium, the syrup and syrup solids are derived from a group consisting essentially of agave syrup, barley syrup, sugar syrup, beets syrup, birch syrup, rice syrup, cane syrup, chocolate syrup, coconut syrup, corn syrup, date syrup, fruit syrup, golden syrup, high fructose corn syrup, inverted sugar syrup, karo syrup, citrus fruit syrup, maple syrup, molasses, Muscavado syrup, palm syrup, rice syrup, sorghum syrup, Turbinado syrup, vanilla syrup and mixtures and blends thereof; and a second liquid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: Jerry Rayborn, Sr., Dan M. DeLaRosa
  • Patent number: 7964538
    Abstract: A synthetic glass family in the quaternary phase field of CaO—SiO2-Al2O3-MgO (CSAM) with hydraulic and pozzolanic properties for use in differing applications in the gas and oil well cementing area. A method of making a mud-to-cement (MTC) slurry and a method for treating oil and gas wells with the MTC slurry containing a homogenous amorphous synthetic glass made from a mixture of inorganic materials selected from the group consisting of CSAM, wherein the cementing glasses with the mixture of inorganic materials are in a 100% amorphous phase with a degree of crystallization of zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Yibran Perera, Virginia Buccellato, George Quercia, Aiskely Blanco
  • Patent number: 7956012
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method comprising introducing into a well bore a fluid comprising a zwitterionic polymer. The polymer is prepared by inverse emulsion polymerization of at least one monomer Ab comprising a betaine group and optionally one or more nonionic monomers Ba. The well bore is chosen from a natural gas well bore and an oil well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: BJ Services Company LLC
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Madhukar Chetty, Paul Carman
  • Patent number: 7951755
    Abstract: A water-based polymer drilling fluid, containing effective quantities of surfactants having HLB numbers equal to or greater than approximately 7, emulsifies oil and bitumen contained in oil sand cuttings, resulting in the oil and bitumen being dispersed into the mud as an emulsion. This eliminates or significantly reduces the ability of the oil, bitumen, and cuttings to clog the well or stick to drill string components when drilling a well through oil-bearing sands, particularly sands containing highly viscous oil or bitumen. The emulsification process separates the sand particles from the oil and bitumen, such that the sand particles can be removed when the mud is run through a conventional shale shaker or other suitable apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: An-Ming Wu, Jay Brockhoff
  • Patent number: 7943554
    Abstract: Wellbore fluid having a continuous aqueous phase, and containing at least one polymer which (a) has a number average molecular weight in the range of from 10,000 to less than 100,000; (b) contains hydrophilic units such that the polymer is at least 2% soluble in water at a temperature of 20° C. wherein none of said hydrophilic units comprise —CH2.CH2.O— units; and (c) contains pendant alkyl groups having at least 10 carbon atoms. The combined molecular weight of the pendant alkyl groups is in the range of from 15 to 70% by weight based on the weight of the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
    Inventors: Simon Neil Duncum, Christopher Alan Sawdon
  • Patent number: 7942215
    Abstract: Compositions including relatively low reactivity acids, mixed with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) and internal breakers may serve as drilling fluids to open underground hydrocarbon reservoirs with carbonate contents of 10 wt % or above. The drilling fluids have low viscosities in the drilling pipe. After the fluid flows out of the drill bit, the acids react with carbonates in the formation thereby increasing the pH of the drilling fluids causing the VES to gel the fluid at the bottom of the hole and the downhole annulus between the drilling pipe and the formation rock. The viscosified drilling fluid will reduce fluid loss and will carry no dissolved drilling debris to the surface. After drilling through the targeted formation, the internal breakers in the viscosified drilling fluids will break down the fluids to permit their removal, and the well is ready to produce with very little or no near well bore damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews, John R. Willingham
  • Patent number: 7939470
    Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method for the use thereof in drilling wellbores, with good rheological properties at high temperatures and pressures. One embodiment of the drilling fluids are free of organophilic clays and lignites, free of calcium chloride, and comprise an alcohol in the internal phase, a quaternary ammonium emulsifier, and argillaceous solids. In one embodiment, the alcohol is a glycerol, a polyglycerol, or a mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the base oil for the emulsion is a paraffin and/or mineral oil. The drilling fluids provide good lubricity and high rates of penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Vikrant Bhavanishankar Wagle, Shadaab Syed Maghrabi
  • Patent number: 7926591
    Abstract: Methods are described for drilling a wellbore through a production zone within a subterranean formation. Some of the methods use water-based consolidating emulsions that comprise an aqueous liquid and an emulsion comprising a hardening agent external phase and hardenable resin internal phase to drill along a production zone. Other methods use water-based consolidation emulsions that comprise a first emulsion comprising a hardenable resin internal phase and an aqueous external phase and a second emulsion comprising a hardening agent internal phase and an aqueous external phase to drill along a production zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman
  • Patent number: 7926588
    Abstract: To improve drilling performance, a drilling fluid is selected based on one or more criteria and to have at least one target characteristic. Drilling equipment is used to drill a wellbore, and the selected drilling fluid is provided into the wellbore during drilling with the drilling equipment. The at least one target characteristic of the drilling fluid includes an ability of the drilling fluid to penetrate into formation cuttings during drilling to weaken the formation cuttings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Terratek Inc., Baker Hughes, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnis Judzis, Alan D. Black, Sidney J. Green, Homer A. Robertson, Ronald G. Bland, David Alexander Curry, Leroy W. Ledgerwood, III
  • Publication number: 20110083902
    Abstract: Compositions including relatively low reactivity acids and having a pH of from about 2 to about 5, mixed with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) and internal breakers may serve as fluids, in a non-limiting embodiment as drill-in fluids, to open underground hydrocarbon reservoirs with carbonate contents of 10 wt % or above. The fluids initially have low viscosities. After the fluid flows out of the drill bit, the acids react with carbonates in the formation thereby increasing the pH of the fluids causing the VES to gel the fluid at the bottom of the hole and within the formation rock. Even when the subterranean formation contains naturally-occurring fractures, the viscosified fluid will reduce fluid loss into the formation. After drilling through the targeted formation, internal breakers in the viscosified fluids will break down the fluids to permit their removal, and production of the well with very little or no near well bore damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews, David E. Clark
  • Patent number: 7921941
    Abstract: A pressurized fluid flow system for a reverse circulation down-the-hole hammer having a cylinder coaxially disposed in between an outer casing and the piston. This piston reciprocates due to changes in pressure of the pressurized fluid contained inside of a front chamber and a rear chamber at opposite sides of the piston, where the flow into and out of these chambers is controlled solely by the overlap or relative position of the piston and the cylinder as a supply chamber and a discharge chamber, which are defined by recesses on the inner surface of the outer casing and separated by a dividing wall, respectively, supply to and discharge from the front and rear chambers, the pressurized fluid. An internal chamber may also be provided in between the piston and a sampling tube coaxial with the outer casing for a more efficient filling of the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Drillco Tools S.A.
    Inventor: Jaime Andres Aros
  • Patent number: 7919437
    Abstract: Wellbore fluid having a continuous aqueous phase, and comprising at least one polymer which has a number average molecular weight in the range of from 10,000 to less than 100,000, wherein the polymer is selected from a copolymer of at least one hydrophilic monomer and at least one hydrophobic monomer containing an alkyl group having at least 8 carbon atoms. The hydrophilic monomer is selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid and itaconic acid, and sulfonate groups have been introduced into the copolymer by reaction of at least a portion of the carboxylic acid and/or anhydride groups with a compound of general formula R12N(CH2)nSO3X (I) or a compound of general formula HO(CH2)nSO3X (II). Each R1 is independently selected from hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, X is either H or a Group IA metal, and n is an integer of from 1 to 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
    Inventors: Simon Neil Duncum, Christopher Alan Sawdon
  • Patent number: 7918289
    Abstract: A method for drilling and completing a wellbore that includes drilling a wellbore through a subterranean formation with a wellbore fluid, the wellbore fluid comprising: a base fluid; and micronized weighting agent; and disposing a sand screen in an interval of the wellbore with the wellbore fluid is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Doug Oakley, Gunnar Fimreite, Grete Svanes, Jarrod Massam, Andrew Bradbury
  • Patent number: 7915203
    Abstract: A new class of secondary emulsifying agents for use in inverted mud and other inverted system is disclosed and method for making and using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Clearwater International, LLC
    Inventors: Olusegun Matthew Falana, Arthur T. Gilmer, Edward Marshall
  • Patent number: 7906461
    Abstract: A composition is comprised of a mixture of the reaction product of an amine and a poly-functional isocyanate, and the reaction product of (i) a carboxylic acid with at least two carboxylic moieties; (ii) a polyamine having an amine functionality of two or more; and a chemical selected from the group consisting of (i) alkoxylated alkyl amines, (ii) fatty acid amides and (iii) mixtures thereof, and it is used as a drilling fluid additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Elementis Specialties, Inc.
    Inventors: David Dino, Jeffrey Thompson, Richard Geurtsen
  • Patent number: 7886824
    Abstract: A microemulsion system is disclosed which comprises a solvent subsystem, a co-solvent subsystem and a surfactant subsystem comprises at least one monoalkyl branched propoxy sulfate anionic surfactant, where the microemulsion system are useful in drilling, producing, remediation, and fracturing application to reduce water blocks and water blocking in formation of a producing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Clearwater International, LLC
    Inventors: Sarkis R. Kakadjian, Frank Zamora, Tina Garza
  • Patent number: 7890307
    Abstract: A method for determining distribution data for a disposal domain parameter to increase assurance in a cuttings injection process, including performing a fracturing simulation using a site specific datum to obtain a fracturing result, determining a probability of creating a new fracture using the fracturing result and a probability model, performing a plurality of fracturing simulations using the probability and a distribution associated with the probability to obtain disposal domain information, and extracting the distribution data for the disposal domain parameter from the disposal domain information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas Geehan, Quanxin Guo
  • Publication number: 20110031024
    Abstract: Methods of treating a wellbore comprise displacing a drilling fluid comprising an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage into the wellbore. Methods of drilling a wellbore comprise: applying torque to a bit within the wellbore and concurrently applying force to urge the bit to extend through the wellbore; and circulating a drilling fluid past the bit to remove cuttings therefrom, the drilling fluid comprising an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage. Methods of preparing a drilling fluid comprise: forming an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage; and combining the organophilic clay with an oil-based fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Miller
  • Patent number: 7882903
    Abstract: A cuttings bed removal tool for use on a drill string in a well bore includes: a sub having a region of enlarged outer diameter over the string diameters indicated by its upper end connection and an indicator disposed downhole of the region of enlarged outer diameter and having at least one bypass port extending through the indicator to permit passage of fluid in an upward direction through the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: BBJ Tools Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Barnett
  • Publication number: 20110024195
    Abstract: A Drill-To-The-Limit (DTTL) drilling method variant to Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) applies constant surface backpressure, whether the mud is circulating (choke valve open) or not (choke valve closed). Because of the constant application of surface backpressure, the DTTL method can use lighter mud weight that still has the cutting carrying ability to keep the borehole clean. The DTTL method identifies the weakest component of the pressure containment system, such as the fracture pressure of the formation or the casing shoe leak off test (LOT). With a higher pressure rated RCD, such as 5,000 psi (34,474 kPa) dynamic or working pressure and 10,000 psi (68,948 kPa) static pressure, the limitation will generally be the fracture pressure of the formation or the LOT. In the DTTL method, since surface backpressure is constantly applied, the pore pressure limitation of the conventional drilling window can be disregarded in developing the fluid and drilling programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Carel W. Hoyer, Don M. Hannegan, Thomas F. Bailey, Melvin T. Jacobs, Nicky A. White
  • Publication number: 20110005773
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation including providing a well bore that includes a filter cake on at least a portion of the well bore and contacting at least a portion of the filter cake with a filter cake degradation fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier. The method also includes allowing the relative permeability modifier to retain at least a portion of the filter cake degradation fluid in the well bore for a time sufficient to contact the filtercake and allowing the filter cake to degrade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Andrew D. Penno
  • Publication number: 20110005761
    Abstract: Methods and compositions that include a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising at least a plurality of degradable diverting agents that comprise at least one degradable material selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid salt, a fatty ester, a proteinous material, and a combination thereof; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation during a subterranean operation via a well bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Hongyu Luo, Dwight D. Fulton
  • Publication number: 20110000713
    Abstract: A method and a system for detecting or measuring influxes of formation water or brine into a drilling fluid being used to drill a borehole through an earth formation are described. The method and system comprising using an electrode based sensor system to determine changes in capacitance and/or conductance of the drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald H. Meeten, Richard H. Mills
  • Publication number: 20100326733
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for vibrating a downhole drill string operable to have a drilling fluid pumped therethrough. The apparatus comprises a tubular body securable to the drill string and having a central bore therethrough, a valve in the tubular body for venting the drilling fluid out of the drill string and a valve actuator for cyclically opening and closing the valve. The method comprises pumping a drilling fluid down the drill string and cyclically venting the drilling fluid through the valve so as to cyclically reduce the pressure of the drilling fluid in the drill string. The valve may comprise a tubular body port and a corresponding rotor port selectably alignable with the tubular body port as the rotor rotates within the central bore. The valve actuator may comprise at least one vane on the rotor for rotating the rotor as the drilling fluid flows therepast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Charles Abernethy Anderson
  • Patent number: 7854277
    Abstract: Wellbore fluid containing a base fluid and a particulate bridging agent comprised of melamine. A method is also described of forming a removable filter cake on the walls of a wellbore that penetrates a porous and permeable rock formation by placing in the wellbore a wellbore fluid containing a base fluid and melamine, and permitting the melamine to deposit from the wellbore fluid onto or into the walls of the wellbore to form the filter cake, whereby fluid loss to the formation through the removable filter cake is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
    Inventors: Simon Neil Duncum, Christopher Alan Sawdon
  • Patent number: 7855168
    Abstract: The current disclosure describes a multifunctional fluid that addresses a new concept in the removal of filter cake. A composition is disclosed comprising: a carrier fluid, a surfactant, a fluorine source and an organic stabilizer able to minimize precipitation of fluorine The associated method to remove the filter cake is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Fuller, Syed Ali, Laurent Pirolli, John W. Still
  • Publication number: 20100307831
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a well drilling, completion or workover fluid wherein the continuous phase of the fluid essentially consists of a liquid fluorinated compound. In a variant, the liquid fluorinated compound is a perfluorinated compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: David Pasquier, Alain Driancourt, Annie Audibert
  • Publication number: 20100300759
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a viscoelastic drilling fluid for drilling in underground rock formations, comprising (a) an aqueous and/or organic liquid base, (b) at least one weighting agent, in particulate form, with a mass per unit volume of at least 2 g/cm3, preferably at least 4 g/cm3, in suspension in said liquid base, and (c) carbon nanotubes with a mean diameter of between 10 and 30 nm and a specific surface in excess of 200 m2/g, preferably of between 200 m2/g and 250 m2/g. It also relates to a drilling method using such a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Nicolas Passade-Boupat, Cathy Rey, Mathieu Naegel
  • Patent number: 7842651
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the compositions of a water-based silicate drilling fluid comprising: (1) alkali metal silicates; (2) cationic polyacrylamide; (3) a lubricant composition; and (4) other conventional drilling fluid additives. The lubricant composition comprises a lubricating effective amount of a carrier oil and one or more lubricants selected from lecithins, sulfurized vegetable and/or lard oils or modified castor oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Chengdu Cationic Chemistry Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Anming Wu, Xing Yan
  • Patent number: 7842650
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for producing foams, in particular for mineral oil and natural gas production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ulrich Steinbrenner
  • Publication number: 20100294569
    Abstract: A method of removing cuttings from a workfront of a lateral borehole hole being drilled from a main borehole by a drilling tool is provided. The drilling tool comprising a tool body including a motor, an axial drive mechanism for advancing the tool body in the well, and a drill bit powered by the motor for drilling the underground formation at the workface and producing cuttings as the tool is advanced. The drilling tool is preferably connected to the surface by means of a cable extending through the lateral borehole and main borehole. The method independently comprising transporting the drilled cuttings from the workface to the part of the lateral borehole immediately behind the drilling tool. Transporting the drilled cuttings from immediately behind the drilling tool to the junction of the lateral borehole and the main well. And transporting the cuttings from the junction to a place of disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Walter Aldred, Iain Cooper, Paul Hammond
  • Patent number: 7833944
    Abstract: Methods and compositions including a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid and a solid particle comprising a crosslinked aliphatic polyester; and placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Trinidad Munoz, Larry S. Eoff, Rajesh K. Saini
  • Patent number: 7825072
    Abstract: An inhibitive water-based polymer mud system and method for using the system in drilling and in stabilizing wellbores is disclosed for use in water sensitive formations as an alternative to oil-based muds. The system comprises a substantially non-ionic low molecular weight polyacrylamide in combination with a substantially non-ionic high molecular weight polyacrylamide, preferably long chain alcohol or an amine or silicate shale inhibitor, and poly anionic cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Carbajal, William Shumway, Ryan G. Ezell
  • Patent number: 7825071
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid that includes an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous phase; and a modified polyesteramide surfactant; methods of formulating such wellbore fluid; and methods of drilling a subterranean formation with such wellbore fluid are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Antony Ballard
  • Publication number: 20100258307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drilling composition comprising an organic phase having at least one linear or branched, cyclic or non-cyclic, saturated hydrocarbon, at least one ester, water or aqueous phase, and at least one additive. The present invention additionally relates to the use and preparation of the drilling composition, to a drilling system, to a process for making a borehole, to a process for conveying cuttings, to a process for treating a drill head, and to a process for production of oil and/or gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Heinz Muller, Nadja Herzog, Diana Maker
  • Patent number: 7806202
    Abstract: In an underbalanced drilling system and method, a change is induced in flowing bottom hole pressure in a wellbore. Data of the surface flow rate of effluent is then measured in response to the induced change. This measured data is obtained using a multi-phase flow meter before a separator of the underbalanced drilling system. Algorithms in computer software analyze the flowing bottomhole pressure and the measured surface flow rate data and determine both permeability and formation pressure for a portion of the wellbore in real-time during the underbalanced drilling operation. Ultimately, portion of the wellbore is characterized with the determined permeability and formation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: George Stewart
  • Publication number: 20100243329
    Abstract: A system for forming a subterranean wellbore may include a pump and an additive supply. The pump pumps a drilling fluid into the wellbore while also generating a pressure differential that draws an additive across a supply line connected to the additive supply. The drilling fluid may be a gas or a liquid. A method for forming a wellbore may include drilling the wellbore, circulating a drilling fluid in the wellbore using a pump; and supplying an additive to the drilling fluid by flowing the additive across a supply line using a pressure differential generated by the pump. The pump may generate a vacuum pressure at a supply line outlet and/or create a pressure differential in the supply line. The flow of additive across the supply line may be regulated and/or stopped when the pump is not operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: William M. Dye, Nels A. Hansen, John B. Trenery, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100243330
    Abstract: A system and method according to which at least one vessel injects a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors into a formation to remove at least a portion of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: PDTI Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan J. Harder, Harry B. Curlett, Paul O. Padgett, Butch Hazel
  • Publication number: 20100243242
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a subterranean formation comprising stimulating and fracturing a subterranean formation, and drilling the subterranean formation wherein the drilling and fracturing occurs without removing equipment for drilling from the formation. A method and apparatus for drilling and fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising a drill string assembly and a hydraulic fracturing system, wherein the drill string and fracturing system are in communication with a wellbore and wherein the drill string and a fracture formed by the hydraulic fracturing system are less than about 1000 feet apart. A method and apparatus for processing a subterranean formation comprising fracturing a subterranean formation using a hydraulic fracturing system and drilling the subterranean formation using a drill string assembly wherein the drilling and fracturing occurs without removing the drill string from the formation, and wherein the fracturing occurs via ports in the drill string assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Curtis L. Boney, Marie Noelle Dessinges, Bruno Drochon, Don Williamson, Philip F. Sullivan, Francois M. Auzerais, John W. Still, Gregory Kubala, Bruce A. MacKay, Ryan Hartman, Austin Boyd, Rod Shampine
  • Patent number: 7784566
    Abstract: A solid body contains a surfactant and crushed walnut hulls. The solid body is shaped to predetermined dimensions that permit passage through the central interior opening of drill pipe. The solid body dissolves in drilling mud for delivery of a pill to the annulus through the drill bit nozzles. The pill is an effective treatment against bit balling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Harold Gregg
  • Patent number: 7786053
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid having at least two phases, the wellbore fluid including a fluid phase; and a solid phase including a powdered solid material coated with a polymer, wherein the polymer is the reaction product of a polyesteramide and a crosslinking agent is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: M-1 L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Antony Ballard
  • Patent number: 7779933
    Abstract: Steerable drilling systems for facilitating drilling according to a prescribed, three-dimensional trajectory are described. Steering may be achieved using passive actuators which require little or no power. For example, damping elements which couple a drill bit to a drill collar can be used to tilt the drill bit with respect to the drill collar. Alternatively, rotary cutting elements disposed on the drill bit may be used to control the force between the drill bit and the formation at different axial locations. The passive elements used to control the tilt or rotation of the rotary cutting elements are actuated in a certain pattern, e.g., geostationary, in order to achieve a desired deviation of the well bore while drilling ahead. One way to achieve this is through the use of field-sensitive materials, e.g. magnetorheological (MR) fluids, that change viscosity in response to an applied magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joachim Sihler, Partha Ganguly, Murat Ocalan
  • Patent number: 7781379
    Abstract: Methods are provided including methods of treating a well bore with drilling fluids comprising organophilic clays treated with quaternary ammonium surfactants having at least two amide linkages. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a drilling fluid comprising a nonaqueous phase and an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having at least two amide linkages; and placing at least a portion of the drilling fluid into the well bore. In other embodiments, the methods comprise combining an organophilic clay with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having at least one amide linkage to form a mixture, and combining the mixture with a fluid comprising a nonaqueous phase to form a drilling fluid. Additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Miller
  • Patent number: 7762357
    Abstract: A system for controlling drilling mud density in drilling operations that combines a base fluid of lesser/greater density than the drilling fluid required at the drill bit to drill the borehole to produce a combination return mud in a riser. Concentric tubular members are disclosed, wherein one tubular member, such as the drill string, is utilized to inject the drilling fluid into the wellbore. Another tubular member carries the combination fluid to the surface for separation by a centrifuge system. By combining appropriate quantities of drilling mud with another fluid, the density of the combination fluid carrying drill cuttings to the surface can be regulated. During separation by the centrifuge, a weir plate having an adjustable height is utilized in the centrifuge to regulate the separation of the base fluid from the drilling fluid, producing a high density fluid and a low density fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Dual Gradient Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Luc deBoer
  • Publication number: 20100181114
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of connecting a first borehole to a second borehole, the boreholes being formed in an earth formation and extending at a mutual distance. The method comprises inserting a volume of hardenable fluidic material into a space in the earth formation extending between the first and second boreholes, and allowing the hardenable fluidic material to harden so as to form a body of hardened material between the first and second boreholes. At least one fluid channel is created in the body of hardened material, each fluid channel providing fluid communication between the first borehole and the second borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Bruno Best, Peter Brauns, Hernan La Cruz
  • Patent number: 7757766
    Abstract: Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, an example method includes a method of treating a subterranean formation that comprises combining components comprising water and a density-matched suspension to prepare a treatment fluid, wherein the density-matched suspension comprises a suspending liquid and a solid particle suspended in the suspending liquid, and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore. An example composition includes a suspension that comprises a suspending liquid comprising a hydrophobic liquid, wherein the hydrophobic liquid hydrolyzes when placed in contact with an aqueous fluid to form hydrophilic products, and a solid particle suspended in the suspending liquid, wherein the suspension is a density-matched suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Lewis, Michael Szymanski, Christopher Gordon
  • Patent number: 7754661
    Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbon or synthetic base oils from used oil-based drilling mud utilizes acid to deactivate emulsifiers in the drilling mud for altering the emulsion stability and permitting removal of the solids contained in the drilling mud using conventional separation such as centrifugation. A surfactant is typically added to prevent water-wetting as a result of the addition of the acid. The recovered base oil contains substantially all of the deactivated emulsifiers, which can be reactivated through the addition of lime, allowing new drilling fluids to be prepared without the need to add significant amounts of emulsifier to the recycled base oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventors: Clayton Smith, Simon John Michael Levey
  • Publication number: 20100170719
    Abstract: A reduced abrasion drilling fluid system and method of drilling a borehole by circulating the reduced abrasion drilling fluid through the borehole is disclosed. The reduced abrasion drilling fluid comprises a drilling fluid, a first additive and a weighting agent, wherein the weighting agent has a particle size of at least 90% by volume less than 50 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Freddy Quiroga, George Quercia, Richard Rengifo, Manuel Mas