Cane Ash Lost Circulation Material Bridging Fractures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lost circulation materials fail to effectively control fluid loss into subterranean formations, leading to increased costs, time losses, and potential well abandonment due to undesirable fluid loss during drilling and other wellbore operations.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of cane ash as a lost circulation material, which is derived from burned sugarcane or sorghum bagasse, is used to bridge fractures and voids within the wellbore, preventing fluid loss by being incorporated into treatment fluids such as drilling fluids, cement compositions, and other wellbore servicing fluids, leveraging its inert properties and broad particle size distribution to effectively plug both small and large fractures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional lost circulation materials are used, then fluid loss control is attempted, but they fail to effectively control fluid loss into subterranean formations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid loss control effectivenessVSAvoiddrilling fluid loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the lost circulation material by using cane ash with a specific broad particle size distribution (ranging from fine to coarse particles). This parameter change allows the material to effectively bridge both small and large fractures, resolving the contradiction between controlling fluid loss and maintaining material effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite approach by combining cane ash particles of varying sizes within the same treatment fluid. The broad particle size distribution creates a composite structure where different sized particles work together to plug fractures of different dimensions, improving overall fluid loss control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of substance

If lost circulation materials are placed into the formation to control fluid loss, then fluid loss is reduced, but additional costs and time are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling fluid lossVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes cane ash, an inexpensive byproduct material, as the lost circulation material. This disposable material is pumped into the wellbore to control fluid loss, avoiding the need for expensive conventional materials and reducing operational costs while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The cane ash material performs self-service by automatically bridging and plugging fractures through its own physical properties when pumped into the wellbore. The material requires no additional activation or complex deployment procedures, reducing operational time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If lost circulation materials are used to bridge fractures, then fluid loss is controlled, but the complexity of material selection and deployment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelost circulation controlVSAvoidmaterial selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs cane ash as a universal lost circulation material that can handle multiple fracture sizes and different wellbore conditions through its broad particle size distribution. This single material performs multiple functions (plugging small and large fractures), reducing the complexity of material selection and deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Cane ash effectively reduces fluid loss into subterranean formations by bridging lost circulation zones, allowing for continued drilling operations and proper cement hydration, thereby reducing operational expenses and environmental waste disposal issues associated with large cane ash production.

Implementation Method 1

the lost circulation materials may bridge the zone, fracture, void, etc. to stop fluid loss

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBridging:

Data Source

PatentUS10119060B2Lost circulation materials comprising cane ash

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method for reducing lost circulation in a subterranean formation. The method includes providing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a lost circulation material comprising cane ash. The treatment fluid is introduced into a wellbore within the subterranean formation such that at least a portion of the cane ash bridges openings in the subterranean formation to reduce loss of fluid circulation into the subterranean formation.