Method for determining sweep efficiency for removing cuttings from a borehole
US6986396B2 · kind B2 · utility
4Cited by
8References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A new method for evaluating the efficiency of a sweep for removing cuttings from a borehole in a subterranean formation during a drilling operation. The method evaluates sweep efficiency on a “mass” in versus “mass out” basis. The method uses downhole density readings taken with a pressure-while-drilling tool inserted in the drill string. Measurements of hydrostatic pressure are converted into equivalent circulating density measurements which in turn are used in calculating the sweep efficiency. The method affords real time estimates at the wellsite of the quantity of formation cuttings brought out of a wellbore by a sweep.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.