| abstract |
The present invention relates to methods for stabilizing incompetent or otherwise unstable hydrocarbon producing subterranean zones or formations penetrated by a wellbore during drilling. The methods basically comprise drilling the wellbore into an unstable hydrocarbon producing subterranean zone or formation when it is encountered, pumping a fluid through a well stabilization tool while moving the tool through the portion of the wellbore in the unstable zone or formation whereby fluid jets formed by the well stabilization tool enlarge the diameter of the wellbore by fluid jet erosion, pumping a hardenable permeable material through the well stabilization tool while moving the tool through the enlarged portion of the wellbore whereby the enlarged portion is filled with the hardenable permeable material, allowing the permeable material to harden and then drilling the wellbore through the hardened permeable material and producing hydrocarbons therefrom. |