Basil Seed Fluid Loss Control via Swelling and Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lost circulation materials are often hazardous, environmentally unfriendly, and require costly procedures for removal, while also permanently reducing permeability and affecting drilling fluid rheology, necessitating time-consuming operations to reverse their effects.
Innovation Solution
The use of whole basil seeds as fluid loss control agents that swell to form a physical barrier in subterranean formations, degrading over time to restore permeability, potentially combined with traditional additives for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lost circulation materials are used to control fluid loss, then fluid loss control is achieved, but permeability is permanently reduced and environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses starch-based capsules that are biodegradable and temporarily functional. These capsules provide fluid loss control during drilling operations but naturally degrade over time, restoring permeability without requiring removal operations. The temporary nature of these biodegradable capsules resolves the contradiction between achieving reliable fluid loss control and avoiding permanent permeability reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition of lost circulation materials from conventional non-biodegradable substances to starch-based biodegradable capsules. This parameter change in material composition enables the material to naturally decompose after serving its purpose, thereby eliminating the permanent permeability reduction and environmental harm associated with conventional materials while maintaining fluid loss control effectiveness.
2Reliability
If conventional fluid loss control additives are used, then fluid loss is controlled, but costly removal procedures are required and rig time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The biodegradable starch-based capsules are designed to serve their fluid loss control function temporarily and then naturally decompose. This eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming removal operations, allowing drilling operations to continue without rig idle time dedicated to additive removal, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable fluid loss control and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The starch-based capsules possess the inherent ability to self-degrade through natural biodegradation processes after fulfilling their fluid loss control function. This self-service characteristic eliminates the need for external intervention or specialized removal procedures, thereby preventing rig idle time and additional operational costs associated with conventional additive removal.
3Reliability
If hazardous additives are used for lost circulation control, then fluid loss is prevented, but environmental regulations require costly disposal procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biodegradable starch-based capsules that naturally decompose into harmless substances, eliminating the environmental contamination issues associated with hazardous conventional additives. These capsules provide effective fluid loss prevention during operations and then safely degrade, removing the need for costly disposal procedures required by environmental regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical parameters of lost circulation materials from hazardous, non-biodegradable substances to biodegradable starch-based compounds. This parameter change transforms the material's environmental compatibility, allowing it to naturally decompose without harmful effects, thereby eliminating the need for costly disposal procedures while maintaining fluid loss prevention effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides effective temporary fluid loss control during drilling and fracturing operations with reduced environmental impact, eliminating the need for hazardous additives and simplifying post-operation permeability restoration.
Implementation Method 1
The use of whole basil seeds as fluid loss control agents that swell to form a physical barrier in subterranean formations
Implementation Method 2
degrading over time to restore permeability
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Methods of providing fluid loss control in a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a plurality of seeds; introducing the treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore such that the seeds block openings in the subterranean formation to provide fluid loss control; and degrading the seeds over time within the subterranean formation. In some methods, the seeds are present in the treatment fluid in an amount of at least about 5 pounds per barrel. In addition, in some methods the seeds are preferably degradable.