IP Library Granted Patent US 9,097,085
Granted Patent B2
US 9,097,085 · App. 12/541,242 · Granted Aug 4, 2015

Multiphase drilling systems and methods

Inventors: Daniel Guy Pomerleau (Calgary, CA); Keith Kenneth Corb (Calgary, CA); Stuart Dwight Butler (Calgary, CA); Robert T. Staysko (Calgary, CA); Gregg MacKay Jollymore (Cochrane, CA)
Assignee: LUBRIZOL OILFIELD SOLUTIONS, INC.
E21B21/14E21B21/08
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,097,085
App. No.
12/541,242
Granted
Aug 4, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes injecting drilling fluid through a drill string disposed in the wellbore and rotating a drill bit disposed on a bottom of the drill string. The drilling fluid includes a liquid and a gas. The drilling fluid is injected at the surface. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The drilling fluid and cuttings (returns) flow to the surface via an annulus formed between the drill string and the wellbore. The liquid is injected at a rate so that a liquid velocity of the returns in the annulus is sufficient to transport the cuttings. The method further includes drilling through at least a portion of a non-productive formation.

Claims (11)

1. A method for drilling a wellbore, comprising:

injecting drilling fluid through a drill string disposed in the wellbore;

rotating a drill bit disposed on a bottom of the drill string, wherein:

the drilling fluid comprises a liquid and a gas,

the drilling fluid is injected at the surface,

the drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit, and

returns comprising the drilling fluid and the cuttings flow to the surface via an annulus formed between the drill string and the wellbore; and

drilling through at least a portion of a non-productive formation, wherein an injection rate of at least one of the liquid or the gas is controlled so that an equivalent circulating density (ECD) of the returns is equal to or slightly greater than a stability equivalent mud density (EMD) of the formation.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is injected at a rate so that a liquid velocity of the returns in the annulus is sufficient to transport the cuttings.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the injection rate of the at least one of the liquid or the gas is controlled so that the ECD of the returns is substantially less than a pore EMD of the formation.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a liquid volume fraction of the drilling fluid at standard temperature and pressure is greater than or equal to 0.01 and less than or equal to 0.07.

Assignments (13)
PATENT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 26, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 063470/0629 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053838/0323 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051419/0140 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 051891/0089 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2015
From: LUBRIZOL OILFIELD SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 036511/0513 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2015
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
To: LUBRIZOL OILFIELD SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 035943/0540 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2014
From: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 034526/0272 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNOR'S NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 025804 FRAME 0828. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Apr 13, 2011
From: DANIEL GUY POMERLEAU, BY ENGINEERING DRILLING SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
Reel/Frame 026117/0045 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2011
From: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
To: WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC AND WEATHERFORD CANADA PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 025804/0852 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2011
From: STAYSKO, BOB
To: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
Reel/Frame 025804/0766 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2011
From: CORB, KEITH KENNETH; BUTLER, STUART DWIGHT; JOLLYMORE, GREGG MACKAY
To: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
Reel/Frame 025804/0722 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2011
From: ENGINEERING DRILLING SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
Reel/Frame 025804/0828 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2011
From: WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC AND WEATHERFORD CANADA PARTNERSHIP
To: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
Reel/Frame 025804/0888 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61159176 · Mar 11, 2009
Provisional Application 61089456 · Aug 15, 2008
Related Publication 20100147591A1 · Jun 17, 2010