US4155410A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for correcting lost circulation
Assignee: Brinadd Co
•
Filing: 1978-06-26
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Granted: 1979-05-22
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Expires: 1998-06-26
Abstract
Abstract Lost circulation in a well occurring during drilling is reduced by aeration of clay-free, non-thixotropic, brine wellbore fluids comprising hydroxyalkyl cellulose and preferably magnesia as a stabilizer. The gas is easily and completely removed from the foam returned to surface with only a conventional degassing and gas busting equipment normally found in a solids removal system. The advantages of the clay-free, non-thixotropic, drilling fluids as known are preserved and the system allows rapid change from aerated to non-aerated fluid as required.
Inventors
- 👤 Junius M. Jackson, deceased
- 👤 coexecutor BY First City National Bank of Houston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:48
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/02; C09K8/04; C09K8/06; C09K8/08; C09K8/10; E21B21/003; E21B21/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
In the method of drilling a well with a liquid drilling fluid in a subterranean formation characterized as having structure resulting in lost circulation of said liquid drilling fluid comprising: pumping said liquid drilling fluid into said well through a drill stem, aerating said liquid drilling fluid with a gas after said pumping, circulating said aerated liquid drilling fluid through said drill stem and a drill bit into said well and returning said aerated liquid drilling fluid to the surface through an annulus between said subterranean formation and said drill stem, removing said gas and any drilled particles from said drilling fluid and recirculating said cleaned up liquid drilling fluid having entrained gas and drilled particles removed therefrom to said well by pumping, wherein the improvement comprises using a brine, clay-free, non-thixotropic, drilling fluid consisting essentially of a viscosifying amount of water soluble, non-ionic hydroxyalkyl cellulose, whereby said lost circulation is reduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
In the method of drilling a well with a liquid drilling fluid in a subterranean formation characterized as having structure resulting in lost circulation of said liquid drilling fluid comprising: pumping said liquid drilling fluid into said well through a drill stem, aerating said liquid drilling fluid with a gas after said pumping, circulating said aerated liquid drilling fluid through said drill stem and a drill bit into said well and returning said aerated liquid drilling fluid to the surface through an annulus between said subterranean formation and said drill stem, removing said gas and any drilled particles from said drilling fluid and recirculating said cleaned up liquid drilling fluid having entrained gas and drilled particles removed therefrom to said well by pumping, wherein the improvement comprises using a brine, clay-free, non-thixotropic, drilling fluid consisting essentially of a viscosifying amount of water soluble, non-ionic hydroxyalkyl cellulose, whereby said lost circulation is reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said liquid drilling fluid additionally contains a hydroxyalkyl cellulose stabilizing amount of magnesia or magnesium hydroxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein at least 10 weight percent magnesia based on the combined weight of hydroxyalkyl cellulose and magnesia is present.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said hydroxyalkyl cellulose is hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said aeration is obtained by introducing a gas into said liquid drilling fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 5 wherein said gas is introduced into said liquid drilling fluid down hole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process according to claim 6 wherein said gas is air, formation gas, nitrogen or flue gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process according to claim 7 wherein said gas is nitrogen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process according to claim 7 wherein said gas is air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said brine comprises at least 1% of a soluble salt of potassium, sodium or calcium in water.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-21 | 1982-11-20 | 1983-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-21 | 1986-11-20 | 1987-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-21 | 1990-11-20 | 1991-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |