Abstract: A method and system for drilling a wellbore is described. The system includes a wellbore with a variable density drilling mud, drilling pipe, a bottom hole assembly disposed in the wellbore and a drilling mud processing unit in fluid communication with the wellbore. The variable density drilling mud has compressible particles and drilling fluid. The bottom hole assembly is coupled to the drilling pipe, while the drilling mud processing unit is configured to separate the compressible particles from the variable density drilling mud. The compressible particles in this embodiment may include compressible hollow objects filled with pressurized gas and configured to maintain the mud weight between the fracture pressure gradient and the pore pressure gradient. In addition, the system and method may also manage the use of compressible particles having different characteristics, such as size, during the drilling operations.

Abstract: A method and system for drilling a wellbore is described. The system includes a wellbore with a variable density drilling mud, drilling pipe, a bottom hole assembly disposed in the wellbore and a drilling mud processing unit in fluid communication with the wellbore. The variable density drilling mud has compressible particles and drilling fluid. The bottom hole assembly is coupled to the drilling pipe, while the drilling mud processing unit is configured to separate the compressible particles from the variable density drilling mud. The compressible particles in this embodiment may include compressible hollow objects filled with pressurized gas and configured to maintain the mud weight between the fracture pressure gradient and the pore pressure gradient. In addition, the system and method may also manage the use of compressible particles having different characteristics, such as size, during the drilling operations.

Abstract: A method and system for drilling a wellbore is described. The system includes a wellbore with a variable density drilling mud, drilling pipe, a bottom hole assembly disposed in the wellbore and a drilling mud processing unit in fluid communication with the wellbore. The variable density drilling mud has compressible particles and drilling fluid. The bottom hole assembly is coupled to the drilling pipe while the drilling mud processing unit is configured to separate the compressible particles from the variable density drilling mud. The compressible particles in this embodiment may include compressible hollow objects filled with pressurized gas an configured to maintain the mud weight between the fracture pressure gradient and the pore pressure gradient. In addition, the system and method may also manage the use of compressible particles having different characteristics, such as size, during the drilling operations.

Abstract: A method and system for drilling a wellbore is described. The system includes a wellbore with a variable density drilling mud, drilling pipe, a bottom hole assembly disposed in the wellbore and a drilling mud processing unit in fluid communication with the wellbore. The variable density drilling mud has compressible particles and drilling fluid. The bottom hole assembly is coupled to the drilling pipe while the drilling mud processing unit is configured to separate the compressible particles from the variable density drilling mud. The compressible particles in this embodiment may include compressible hollow objects filled with pressurized gas an configured to maintain the mud weight between the fracture pressure gradient and the pore pressure gradient. In addition, the system and method may also manage the use of compressible particles having different characteristics, such as size, during the drilling operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming metallic foams using cold spray processing. The method allows for the formation of metallic foams on existing substrates as a layer. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate for coating of a metallic foam; cold spraying a mixture of metal particles and a foaming agent onto the substrate to form a substrate coated with an unexpanded metallic layer; foam heat treating the substrate coated with an unexpanded metallic layer at a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the foaming agent for a time sufficient to form a heated substrate coated with an expanded metal foam layer; and cooling the heated substrate coated with an expanded metal foam layer to about ambient temperature to form a cooled substrate coated with an expanded metal foam layer. The method of forming metallic foams on substrates finds application in the oil, gas, and chemical industry by being an integral part of casings, pipelines, transfer lines, and other flow lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming metallic foams using cold spray processing. The method allows for the formation of metallic foams on existing substrates as a layer. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate for coating of a metallic foam; cold spraying a mixture of metal particles and a foaming agent onto the substrate to form a substrate coated with an unexpanded metallic layer; foam heat treating the substrate coated with an unexpanded metallic layer at a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the foaming agent for a time sufficient to form a heated substrate coated with an expanded metal foam layer; and cooling the heated substrate coated with an expanded metal foam layer to about ambient temperature to form a cooled substrate coated with an expanded metal foam layer. The method of forming metallic foams on substrates finds application in the oil, gas, and chemical industry by being an integral part of casings, pipelines, transfer lines, and other flow lines.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a variable density drilling mud comprising compressible particulate material in the drilling mud wherein the density of the drilling mud changes in response to pressure changes at depth. A second embodiment is a method for varying drilling mud density. The method comprises estimating the pore pressure and fracture gradient, and choosing a drilling mud with compressible materials wherein the effective mud weight of the drilling mud remains between the pore pressure and the fracture gradient in at least one interval of the wellbore. A third embodiment is an apparatus for drilling a wellbore.