METHODS OF CONSOLIDATING FORMATIONS OR FORMING CHEMICAL CASING OR BOTH WHILE DRILLING

摘要

Methods of consolidating formations or forming chemical casing or both while drilling are provided. One method of the invention comprises drilling a well bore with a drilling fluid comprised of water, a polymeric cationic catalyst which is adsorbed on weak zones or formations formed of unconsolidated clays , shale, sand stone and the like, a water soluble or dispersible polymer which is cross-linked by a thermoset resin and causes the resin to be hard and tou gh when cured, a particulate curable solid thermoset resin, a water soluble thermoset resin, and a delayed dispersible acid catalyst for curing the soli d and water soluble resins. The drilling fluid forms a filter cake on the wall s of the well bore that cures and consolidates the unconsolidated weak zones a nd formations penetrated by the well bore so that sloughing is prevented and forms a hard and tough cross-linked chemical casing on the walls of the well bore.