Texas Patent of the Month – February 2021
A wellbore is a hole that is drilled to aid in the exploration and recovery of natural resources, including oil, gas, or water. Fluids are secreted into the wellbore for many reasons including: maintaining the bore integrity until it can be cased in cement, cooling and lubrication of the drill string, removing excess material from the bottom and so on. A frequent issue with wellbore fluids is keeping them in the wellbore. The fluids are constantly being absorbed by the surrounding ground or flowing through cracks and fissures. Certain methods for combating these issues include formulas that deposit a filter along the walls in order to temporarily seal them and hold the fluid in. However these methods permanently damage the area surrounding the hole and are considered undesirable. MI Swaco has been reformulating wellbore fluids to make them effective and safe.
The new formula uses a combination of latex-based polymers to control filtration control. These polymers maintain stability at temperatures up to and even greater than 400° F. The ratio of polymers, lignins, and tannins is dependent on the conditions of the site to be drilled (ground type, temperatures, elevations). For instance, certain formulations would use graphite to crosslink the latex polymers while others may use a fibrous additive instead. The new formula allows for regular techniques to get the fluid into the wellbore and will enhance the integrity of the hole while minimizing the fluid loss.
About M.I. Swaco
Innovative drilling fluid engineers are at the company’s core, helping oil and gas operators increase efficiency and lower costs. They do this by developing drilling fluid systems and additives that accommodate a wide range of drilling environments and demanding applications. Their base fluids and additives are tailored for specific well construction applications. Custom formulation helps you maintain wellbore stability, optimize ROP, and increase overall drilling efficiency while reducing NPT and minimizing HSE footprint.
Are you redesigning existing formulas? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.
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