Managing lost returns in a wellbore
US7681644B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B33/138
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of managing lost returns in a wellbore includes contacting a filter cake with a treating fluid to remove metallic weighting agents from the filter cake, wherein the filter cake is disposed on a face of a formation fracture in the wellbore. The method also includes contacting the filter cake with a proppant slurry, wherein the proppant slurry contacts the filter cake concurrently with the treating fluid or after the treating fluid contacts the filter cake. This method may include increasing the filter cake permeability and may utilize a barite removal agent, such as a chelation agent. At least one related wellbore management method creates a fracture in the wellbore and props open the fracture to increase wellbore integrity to utilize higher weight drilling fluids and prevent fractures from forming further down the wellbore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.