Coated Granular Lost Circulation Material Shear Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Granular lost circulation materials, such as limestone and marble, degrade under shear stress during drilling operations, reducing their effectiveness in preventing fluid loss and maintaining wellbore pressure.
Innovation Solution
Coating granular lost circulation materials with a non-hardening tackifying agent to resist shear degradation and maintain particle size, forming agglomerated particles that effectively plug lost circulation areas and reduce fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If granular lost circulation material is used to plug formations, then fluid loss is reduced, but particle size degrades under shear stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines granular lost circulation material with a flexible polymer coating to create a composite structure. The polymer coating envelops the granular particles, providing mechanical protection against shear stress while maintaining the plugging function of the granular material. This composite approach allows the LCM to resist degradation without sacrificing its ability to seal formations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical-chemical parameters of the LCM by coating it with polymer materials having specific properties (flexibility, shear resistance). This changes the mechanical strength and shear resistance parameters of the original granular material, enabling it to withstand downhole shear stresses while maintaining its particle size distribution and plugging effectiveness.
2Stress or pressure
If drilling fluid density is increased to prevent blowouts, then head pressure is maintained, but fluid drains into formations causing lost circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses lost circulation material particles as an intermediary substance between the drilling fluid and the formation. These particles travel with the drilling fluid to the formation interface and plug the leak paths, acting as a mediator that stops fluid intrusion without requiring increased drilling fluid density. This allows maintenance of optimal head pressure while preventing fluid loss.
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
The use of non-hardening tackifying agents enhances the stability of granular materials, maintaining their original particle size distribution and forming an effective filter cake at lost circulation areas, thereby reducing fluid loss and preventing blowouts.
Implementation Method 1
coating granular lost circulation materials with a non-hardening tackifying agent to resist shear degradation
Implementation Method 2
forming agglomerated particles that effectively plug lost circulation areas and reduce fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
A granular lost circulation material for use in a wellbore during drilling operations to minimize loss of drilling fluid at a lost circulation area is disclosed. The granular lost circulation material comprises a granular material and a non-hardening tackifying agent. The granular material is coated with the non-hardening tackifying agent. The granular lost circulation material forms agglomerated particles, which form a filter cake at the lost circulation area.