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US 2009/0260818 A1Published application
Microwave-Based Downhole Activation Method For Wellbore Consolidation Applications
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsSylvie Daniel, Mickael Allouche
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method and a tool for wellbore strengthening during drilling. Selected chemicals are mixed with the drilling fluid but do not react with it. The chemicals concentrate in the filtercake. A tool, which comprises a microwave source, is used to trigger polymerisation or crosslinking reactions within the filtercake downhole. The polymerisation or crosslinking reactions results in a film or a gel that strengthens the wellbore.
Claims11
A method of constructing a borehole, the method comprising:
- drilling the borehole using a drilling fluid comprising a chemical system capable of being polymerised;
- allowing the drilling fluid to form a filter cake on at least part of the borehole wall in which the chemical system accumulates;
- and,
- irradiating at least part of the filter cake with microwave radiation so as to cause the chemical system to polymerise or cross-link and so strengthen the filter cake.
1 more element
Apparatus for use in construction of a borehole, comprising:
- a tool body;
- a source of microwave radiation located in the tool body;
- and
- means for irradiating the borehole wall with microwave radiation from the source;
- wherein the means for irradiating the borehole wall comprises an antenna that can be positioned near to the borehole wall, and the source is operable to initiate polymerisation or cross-linking in a chemical system in a filter cake on the borehole wall.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.