Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Fred E DuPriest

Sabine C Zeilinger

Chinar R Aphale

Martin V Smith

Joseph W Witt

Stephen M Remmert

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

A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, a method for drilling a well is described. The method includes identifying a field having hydrocarbons. Then, one or more wells are drilled to a subsurface location in the field to provide fluid flow paths for hydrocarbons to a production facility. The drilling is performed by (i) estimating a drill rate for one of the wells; (ii) determining a difference between the estimated drill rate and an actual drill rate; (iii) obtaining mechanical specific energy (MSE) data and other measured data during the drilling of the one of the wells; (iv) using the obtained MSE data and other measured data to determine one of a plurality of limiters that limit the drill rate; (v) adjusting drilling operations to mitigate one of the plurality of limiters; (vi) and iteratively repeating steps (i)-(v) until the subsurface formation has been reached by the drilling operations.

Method of drilling and production hydrocarbons from subsurface formations

A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, method for drilling a well is described. The method includes performing drilling operations at one or more wells to a subsurface location in a field to provide fluid flow paths for hydrocarbons to a production facility. The drilling is performed by (i) obtaining mechanical specific energy (MSE) data and other measured data during the drilling operations; (ii) using the obtained MSE data and other measured data to determine the existence of at least one limiter; (iii) obtaining and examining lithology data for the well; (iv) identifying a primary limiter of the at least one limiter based on the lithology data; and (v) adjusting drilling operations to mitigate at least one of the at least limiter.

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Kingwood, TX, United States of America

Fred E DuPriest