Systems and methods for producing wellbore fluids
AssigneeExero Well Integrity
InventorsAlexandra Elizabeth Cedola, Elizabeth Ann Sones, Matthew David Hudson, Cheve Arlyn Meyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus for producing wellbore fluids using drill cuttings, geopolymers, and/or mine tailings, and compositions relating to the same are disclosed. The drill cuttings, geopolymers, and/or mine tailings may be used to create appropriate wellbore fluids to be used in wellbore fluid supply systems, such as spacer fluids, lead barrier fluids, tail barrier fluids. In one embodiment, the wellbore fluids result in one or more substantially impermeable barrier sheaths within the wellbore, which barrier sheaths may be cementitious or non-cementitious.
Claims30
A method comprising:
- (a) obtaining local drill cuttings, wherein the local drill cuttings are drill cuttings obtained from a wellbore at a wellbore location;
- (b) preparing, at the wellbore location, the local drill cuttings for use in a wellbore fluid;
- (c) creating, at the wellbore location, the wellbore fluid having the local drill cuttings;
- (d) pumping, at the wellbore location, the wellbore fluid into a casing of a wellbore;
- (i) wherein the pumping comprises pumping the wellbore fluid into an annulus of the wellbore;
- (e) maintaining the wellbore fluid in the annulus of the wellbore;
- and
- (f) allowing the wellbore fluid to set, thereby creating a substantially impermeable barrier sheath.
A system comprising:
- (a) a first mixing unit adapted to mix at least one primary material, at least one secondary material, and at least one liquid to create a cementitious wellbore fluid;
- (i) wherein the at least one primary material comprises drill cuttings and optionally one or more of, synthesized geopolymers and mine tailings;
- (ii) wherein the at least one secondary material comprises cements and optionally additives;
- and
- (iii) wherein the at least one liquid is selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions and organic solutions;
- (b) a second mixing unit adapted to receive the cementitious wellbore fluid and mix the cementitious wellbore fluid with adjustment material, thereby producing an adjusted cementitious wellbore fluid,
- (c) an adjustment tank configured to supply the adjustment material to the second mixing unit;
- (i) wherein the adjustment material is selected from the group consisting of drill cuttings, synthesized geopolymer, sourced geopolymer, mine tailings, cements, additives, and combinations thereof, and
- (d) a pumping unit, fluidly connected to the second mixing unit and a casing of a wellbore, the pumping unit being adapted to pump the adjusted cementitious wellbore fluid into the casing of the wellbore, wherein the adjusted cementitious wellbore fluid is configured to solidify within a wellbore and form a substantially impermeable cementitious barrier sheath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.