摘要 |
<p>Embodiments include drilling through a formation (15,16) using a drill bit (20) conveyed by a tubular string (1) having an outer diameter at least 70 percent of the wellbore being drilled. The formation is drilled at a first rate of penetration (ROP) while pumping drilling fluid at a first flow rate. After drilling through the formation, the ROP is reduced to a second ROP, the flow rate is reduced to a second flow rate, and pressure is increased in the wellbore until drilling fluid begins to leak into the formation. While maintaining the increased pressure in the wellbore, the volume of drilling fluid lost to the formation is monitored until the rate at which the drilling fluid loss occurs is reduced. Components of this procedure are repeated until a selected wellbore strength is achieved.</p> |