Method and system for fracturing subsurface formations during the drilling thereof
A method for fracturing a wellbore while drilling a wellbore includes inserting a drill string into a wellbore. A fluid is pumped into at least one of an interior passage in the drill string and an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and the drill string. At least one of a pressure and a temperature of the fluid proximate a lower end of the drill string is measured and the measurements are transmitted to the surface substantially contemporaneously with the measuring. At least one of a flow rate and a pressure of the fluid is controlled in response to the measurements to selectively create fractures in formations adjacent to the wellbore.
1. A method, comprising:
fracturing a wellbore using a drill string, including the steps of:
inserting the drill string into a wellbore;
pumping a fluid into at least one of an interior passage in the drill string and an annular space between a wall of the wellbore and the drill string;
measuring at least one of a pressure and a temperature of the fluid proximate a lower end of the drill string;
transmitting the measurements to the surface substantially contemporaneously with the measuring; and
transmitting control signals from a controller in a drill string to perform at least one of the following: inflating a packer, deflating a packer, diverting fluid flow, and initiating shaped charges.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising selectively sealing the annular space.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the pumped fluid is discharged through a drill bit.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising diverting flow of fluid into the annular space.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the pumping fluid, measuring, transmitting and controlling are performed contemporaneously with drilling a subsurface formation in the wellbore.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting comprises communicating over a communication channel in a wired drill pipe string.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises proppant.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the proppant comprises a material selected to reduce permeability of a fracture for a selected time after creation thereof to enable further drilling of the wellbore.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising changing the fluid from a first fluid used for drilling the wellbore to a second fluid used to open and maintain fractures.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling at least one of pressure and flow rate automatically in response to the measurements.