Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

John R Podowski

Philip D Nguyen

Jiten Chatterji

Ronald Glen Dusterhoft

Travis Thomas Hailey, Jr

Tommy Frank Grigsby

Sanjay M Vitthal

R Ashley Donaldson

Alex Procyk

Jackie M LaFontaine

Krishna M Ravi

Ashok K Santra

Anthony M Badalamenti

Gary Thomas Keene

Tommie Austin Freeman

Floyd Randolph Simonds

Morris Wayne Cox

Terry Michael Dailey

Methods are provided that include a method of reducing fluid loss in a subterranean formation comprising placing a lost circulation composition comprising a base fluid and a swellable elastomer in at least a portion of a subterranean formation comprising a lost circulation zone; allowing the swellable elastomer to at least partially swell upon contact with a fluid; and allowing the lost circulation composition to at least partially reduce the loss of fluid to the subterranean formation. Additional methods are also provided.

Swellable elastomers and associated methods

An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string () having a drill bit () mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly () is positioned around a section of the drill string () such that when the wellbore () is extended by rotating the drill bit () and advancing the drill string (), the completion assembly () does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string () and rotation of the drill bit () is ceased when the completion assembly () has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (). Thereafter, the drill string () is disconnected from the drill bit () for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly () and the drill bit () downhole.

Apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling

In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand-control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production. Another embodiment of the method and apparatus presented herein comprises positioning a well-completion device into the wellbore, thereby forming an annulus between the well-completion device and the wellbore, the well-completion device having a flexible, permeable membrane sleeve surrounding an expandable sand-control device; and thereafter radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus, thereby also expanding the membrane sleeve. The well-completion device can further include a layer of filter media encased between the membrane sleeve and the sand-control device. The filter media may be of any type known in the industry. Preferably, the membrane sleeve, when expanded, substantially fills the annular space extending between the wellbore and the sand-control device by deforming to substantially contour the wellbore.

Expandable sand control device and specialized completion system and method

In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production. The filter media is typically a particulate material and can be deposited as a slurry comprising liquid material and particulate material, or as a cement slurry. The step of expanding the sand-control device further includes squeezing at least a portion of the liquid of the slurry through the sand-control device passageways thereby forming a pack in the wellbore annulus. The liquid material can be water-based, oil-based or emulsified and can include gelling agents. Further, the particulate can be resin coated with a delayed activation of the resin. The filter media can also be a foam system. The foam can also include decomposable material which can be decomposed after placement of the foam in the annulus.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

John R Podowski