The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 06, 2005
Filed:
May. 15, 2003
Joseph H. Schmidt, Galveston, TX (US);
Manuel E. Gonzalez, Kingwood, TX (US);
John Lofton, Woodlands, TX (US);
James B. Bloys, Katy, TX (US);
Gregory P. Pepin, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Joseph H. Schmidt, Galveston, TX (US);
Manuel E. Gonzalez, Kingwood, TX (US);
John Lofton, Woodlands, TX (US);
James B. Bloys, Katy, TX (US);
Gregory P. Pepin, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Chevron U.S.A. Inc., San Ramon, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and a system for minimizing circulating fluid return losses during drilling of a well bore are disclosed. Circulating fluid, or mud, is heated above conventional temperatures for circulating fluids. The heated circulating fluid then contacts a region of a formation, in which a well bore is to be drilled, maintaining the formation at a relative higher temperature than if no special sources of heat were used to add heat to the circulating fluid. The region, at the relatively higher temperature, has a tendency to expand and to be placed in a relatively higher compressive state as compared to a formation at a lower temperature. Consequently, the use of the heated circulating fluid minimizes fracture initiation and growth and circulation fluid losses into the formation.