IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,163,059
Granted Patent B2
US 7,163,059 · App. 10/891,332 · Granted Jan 16, 2007

Method for releasing stuck drill string

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,163,059
App. No.
10/891,332
Granted
Jan 16, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for releasing a drill string stuck against a wall of a well bore due to pressure differential between the hydrostatic pressure of a fluid in the well bore and the pressure of a formation at the point where the drill string is stuck. The method includes injecting a first fluid into the annulus via the drill string and simultaneously injecting a second fluid into the annulus at an upper end of the annulus. The first fluid and the second fluid are injected into the annulus at a volume and rate sufficient to cause at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid to penetrate the formation and increase the pressure of the formation adjacent the well bore so that the pressure of the formation adjacent the well bore is substantially equalized with the pressure of the well bore. A jarring force is simultaneously exerted to the drill string to cause the drill string to release.

Claims (28)

1. A method for releasing a drill string stuck against a wall of a well bore due to pressure differential between a hydrostatic pressure of a fluid in the well bore and a pressure of a formation at the point where the drill string is stuck, the drill string and the well bore forming an annulus, the method comprising:

injecting a first fluid into the annulus via the drill string; and

simultaneously injecting a second fluid into the annulus at an upper end of the annulus,

wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are injected into the annulus at a volume and rate sufficient to cause at least a portion of one of the first fluid and the second fluid to penetrate the formation and thereby increase the pressure of the formation adjacent the well bore so that the pressure of the formation adjacent the well bore is substantially equalized with the pressure of the well bore.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the drill string includes a drill bit on a lower end thereof, and wherein in the step of injecting the first fluid, the first fluid is injected into the annulus via the drill bit.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first fluid is injected into the annulus at rate of at least about five bbl/min.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the second fluid is injected into the annulus at a rate greater than about forty bbl/min.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first fluid is injected into the annulus at rate of at least about forty bbl/min.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the second fluid is injected into the annulus at a rate in a range of from about three bbl/min to about six bbl/min.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are water.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid include a friction reducer.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid include a gel.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are oil.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid include a gel.

12. A method for releasing a drill string stuck against a wall of a well bore due to pressure differential between a hydrostatic pressure of a fluid in the well bore and a pressure of a formation at the point where the drill string is stuck, the drill string and the well bore forming an annulus, the method comprising:

injecting a first fluid into the annulus via the drill string;

simultaneously injecting a second fluid into the annulus at an upper end of the annulus,

wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are injected into the annulus at a volume and rate sufficient to cause at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid to penetrate the formation and increase the pressure of the formation adjacent the well bore so that the pressure of the formation adjacent the well bore is substantially equalized with the pressure of the well bore; and simultaneously exerting a jarring force to the drill string.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the drill string includes a drill bit on a lower end thereof, and wherein in the step of injecting the first fluid, the first fluid is injected into the annulus via the drill bit.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the first fluid is injected into the annulus at rate greater than about five bbl/min.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the second fluid is injected into the annulus at a rate greater than about forty bbl/min.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the first fluid is injected into the annulus at rate of at least about forty bbl/min.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the second fluid is injected into the annulus at a rate in a range of from about three bbl/min to about six bbl/min.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are water.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid include a friction reducer.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid include a gel.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are oil.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the first fluid and the second fluid include a gel.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2004
From: ELDER, CRAIG J.
To: CRAIG ELDER OIL AND GAS L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 015590/0784 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060011387A1 · Jan 19, 2006