Methods for increasing wellbore strength

US11767737B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Eric van Oort · Bee Cave, US
• Besmir B. Hoxha · Houston, US
• Ali Karimi Vajargah · Austin, US
• Robert O. WILLIAMS, III · Austin, US
• Hugh Smyth · Austin, US
• Silvia Ferrati · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 28, 2020
• Grant date: Sep 26, 2023
• Expiry date: Aug 28, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21B43/2405
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for reducing fluid loss in a well bore, methods for wellbore strengthening and increasing the integrity of the borehole of an oil or gas well. Also disclosed are methods for artificially increasing the temperature of a subsurface formation in the wellbore to increase the apparent wellbore strength. The mechanism for accomplishing this revolves around increasing fracture propagation pressure by actively manipulating thermal wellbore stresses.