Optimizing drilling performance using a selected drilling fluid
AssigneesTerra Tek, Inc., Baker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsArnis Judzis, Alan D. Black, Sidney J. Green, Homer A. Robertson, Ronald G. Bland, David Alexander Curry, Leroy W. Ledgerwood, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
To improve drilling performance, a drilling fluid is selected based on one or more criteria and to have at least one target characteristic. Drilling equipment is used to drill a wellbore, and the selected drilling fluid is provided into the wellbore during drilling with the drilling equipment. The at least one target characteristic of the drilling fluid includes an ability of the drilling fluid to penetrate into formation cuttings during drilling to weaken the formation cuttings.
Claims20
A method of improving drilling performance, comprising:
- selecting, based on one or more criteria, a drilling fluid having at least one target characteristic;
- drilling, with drilling equipment, a wellbore;
- and
- providing the selected drilling fluid into the wellbore during drilling with the drilling equipment, wherein the at least one target characteristic of the drilling fluid includes an ability of the drilling fluid to penetrate into formation cuttings during drilling to weaken the formation cuttings.
A system comprising:
- drilling equipment including a drill string to drill a wellbore through a subterranean formation;
- a drilling fluid container to store a drilling fluid selected based on one or more criteria and selected to have at least one target characteristic,
- wherein the selected drilling fluid is provided into the wellbore during drilling with the drilling equipment, wherein the at least one target characteristic of the drilling fluid includes an ability of the drilling fluid to penetrate into formation cuttings during drilling to weaken the formation cuttings.
An article comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium containing instructions that when executed cause a computer to:
- receive input data relating to one or more criteria relating to drilling of a wellbore, and target characteristics of a drilling fluid;
- and
- based on the received input data, selecting a drilling fluid to use with drilling equipment to drill the wellbore, wherein the selected drilling fluid is to be provided into the wellbore during drilling with the drilling equipment, and wherein the target characteristics of the drilling fluid include at least two characteristics selected from among:
- an ability of the drilling fluid to penetrate into formation cuttings during drilling to weaken the formation cuttings,
- the drilling fluid does not increase in viscosity under high pressure above a viscosity of the drilling fluid at atmospheric pressure, wherein the high pressure is any pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, and
- the drilling fluid does not increase in viscosity with increase in shear experienced by the drilling fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.