US3629102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preventing loss of drilling fluid to drilled formations
Assignee: Pan American Petroleum Corp
•
Filing: 1967-06-29
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Granted: 1971-12-21
•
Expires: 1987-06-29
Abstract
Abstract In well drilling operations, loss of whole drilling fluid to drilled formations is decreased by maintaining in the drilling fluid a three-component mix. The three components are (1) Ground nutshells or equivalent passing the shale shaker screen but retained on a No. 100 U.S. standard sieve; (2) Nutshell flour or equivalent passing a No. 100 sieve; (3) Sugar cane fibers, preferably waterproofed, ground fine enough to pass the shale shaker screen but coarse enough to seal a bed of BB shot when combined within certain limits with the larger granular particles and the flour.
Inventors
- 👤 James L Lummus
- 👤 John N Ryals
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:33
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
17 words
The drilling fluid additive of claim 1 in which said coarse and fine granules are ground nutshells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
The drilling fluid additive of claim 1 in which the sugar cane fibers have been waterproofed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The drilling fluid additive of claim 3 in which the sugar can fibers are ground wallboard made of sugar cane fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drilling fluid additive of claim 4 in which said fine and coarse granules are ground nutshells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
A pumpable drilling fluid suitable for circulating through a well and shale shaker during drilling operations, said composition consisting of a liquid selected from the group consisting of water, oil, and mixtures of the two, the additive of claim 1 in a concentration of at least about 5 pounds of additive per barrel of drilling fluid and sufficient of a thickening agent for said liquid to maintain said additive in suspension in said drilling fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The drilling fluid of claim 6 in which the concentration of said additive is at least about 10 pounds per barrel of drilling fluid and in which said coarse and fine granules are ground nutshells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The drilling fluid composition of claim 6 in which the concentration of said additive is at least about 10 pounds per barrel of drilling fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The drilling fluid composition of claim 8 in which the sugar cane fibers are ground wallboard made of sugar cane fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The drilling fluid composition of claim 9 in which said fine and coarse granules are ground nutshells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for preventing loss of whole drilling fluid to formations drilled during well-drilling operations comprising circulaTing continuously past the formation being drilled, through the shale shaker and back down the well, the drilling fluid of claim 6.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2811488A
Cited
US2815079A
Cited
US2943679A
Cited
US2943680A
Cited
US3042608A
Cited
US3375888A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |