Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Chinar R Aphale

Sabine C Zeilinger

Fred E DuPriest

Martin V Smith

Pietro Valsecchi

Jon M Wallace

Fuping Zhou

Fred E Dupriest

Systems and methods to inhibit packoff during drilling assembly removal from a wellbore, utilizing a drilling assembly that includes a transition region between a first section having a first cross-sectional area and a second section having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area. The transition region includes a fluidizing assembly configured to partially fluidize a portion of the cuttings bed that is proximal to the transition region, and/or be in fluid communication with a flow control assembly configured to control flow rate of a fluidizing stream from the fluidizing assembly and to the portion of cuttings bed.

Systems and methods to inhibit packoff formation during drilling assembly removal from a wellbore

Methods for drilling and treating for lost returns continuously while drilling are provided. High fluid loss drilling fluid is used, along with particulate material that forms an immobile mass in hydraulic fractures to prevent their growth. The particulate material may be selected based on the predicted size of a hydraulic fracture, based on particle size to minimize fines, based on specific gravity to attain high solids content for a selected fluid density, and/or based on permeability of the particles to attain a high spurt loss.

Method for controlling loss of drilling fluid

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Chinar R Aphale