US5501276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drilling fluid and filter cake removal methods and compositions
Assignee: Halliburton Co
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Filing: 1994-09-15
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2014-09-15
Abstract
Abstract Methods and compositions for removing gelled and dehydrated drilling fluid and filter cake from the walls of wellbores are provided. The methods basically include contacting the drilling fluid and filter cake with a removal composition comprised of an aqueous sugar solution for a period of time sufficient to cause the disintegration of the drilling fluid and filter cake. The composition, having the disintegrated drilling fluid and filter cake dispersed therein, is then displaced from the wellbore.
Inventors
- 👤 Jim Weaver
- 👤 Krishna M. Ravi
- 👤 Larry S. Eoff
- 👤 Rick Gdanski
- 👤 J. Michael Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:06
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/52; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/927; Y10S507/928
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of removing gelled and dehydrated drilling fluid and filter cake from the walls of a wellbore comprising: contacting said drilling fluid and filter cake with a removal composition for a period of time sufficient to cause the disintegration of said drilling fluid and filter cake, said composition being comprised of an aqueous solution of sugar selected from the group consisting of monosaccharide sugars, disaccharide sugars, trisaccharide sugars and mixtures thereof; and displacing said removal composition and disintegrated drilling fluid and filter cake from said wellbore.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of removing gelled and dehydrated drilling fluid and filter cake from the walls of a wellbore comprising: contacting said drilling fluid and filter cake with a removal composition for a period of time sufficient to cause the disintegration of said drilling fluid and filter cake, said composition being comprised of an aqueous solution of sugar selected from the group consisting of monosaccharide sugars, disaccharide sugars, trisaccharide sugars and mixtures thereof; and displacing said removal composition and disintegrated drilling fluid and filter cake from said wellbore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said sugar is present in said removal composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.01% to about 50% by weight of said composition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said sugar is lactose present in said composition in an amount in the range of about 2% to about 12% by weight of said composition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said removal composition further comprises a surface active agent present therein selected from the group consisting of a blend of nonionic ethoxylated alcohols and a mixture of aromatic sulfonates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said sugar is present in said composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of said composition and said surface active agent is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.05% to about 0.5% by weight of said composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said sugar is lactose present in an amount of about 10% by weight of said composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said removal composition further comprises a surface active agent consisting of a blend of nonionic ethyoxylated alcohols present in anamount of about 0.25% by weight of said composition.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of removing gelled and dehydrated drilling fluid and filter cake from the walls of a wellbore comprising displacing a removal composition through said wellbore in contact with said drilling fluid and filter cake whereby said drilling fluid and filter cake is disintegrated, dispersed in said removal composition and removed from said wellbore therewith, said removal composition being comprised of water and at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of monosaccharide sugars, disaccharide sugars, trisaccharide sugars and mixtures thereof.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of removing gelled and dehydrated drilling fluid and filter cake from the walls of a wellbore comprising displacing a removal composition through said wellbore in contact with said drilling fluid and filter cake whereby said drilling fluid and filter cake is disintegrated, dispersed in said removal composition and removed from said wellbore therewith, said removal composition being comprised of water and at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of monosaccharide sugars, disaccharide sugars, trisaccharide sugars and mixtures thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said sugar is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.01% to about 50% by weight of said composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said water is selected from the group consisting of fresh water and salt water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said drilling fluid and filter cake removal composition is circulated through said wellbore just prior to introducing a spacer fluid followed by a hydraulic cement slurry therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said sugar is lactose present in said composition in an amount in the range of about 2% to about 12% by weight of said composition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said composition further comprises a surface active agent in said composition selected from the group consisting of a blend of nonionic ethoxylated alcohols and a mixture of aromatic sulfonates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said sugar is present in said composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight thereof and said surface active agent is present in said composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.05% to about 0.5% by weight thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said sugar is lactose present in an amount of about 10% by weight of said composition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said composition further comprises a surface active agent consisting of a blend of nonionic ethoxylated alcohols prevent in said composition in an amount of about 0.25% by weight thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |