Compressible objects having partial foam interiors combined with a drilling fluid to form a variable density drilling mud

US8088717B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Richard S. Polizzotti · Milford, US
• Dennis G. Peiffer · Annandale, US
• Ramesh Gupta · Prospect, US
• Norman Pokutylowicz · Houston, US
• Barbara Carstensen · Annandale, US
• Michael J. Luton · Berkeley Heights, US
• Paul Matthew Spiecker · Manvel, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 16, 2008
• Grant date: Jan 3, 2012
• Expiry date: Dec 23, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2982
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A compressible object is described that may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region. The interior region of the shell is at least partially filled with a foam. The internal pressure of the compressible object may be greater than about 200 psi (pounds per square inch) at atmospheric pressure, greater than 500 psi at atmospheric pressure, greater than 1500 psi at atmospheric pressure or more preferably greater than 2000 psi at atmospheric pressure.