Compressed Lost Circulation Materials for Wellbore Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lost circulation materials are often insufficient to effectively address severe lost circulation issues in subterranean formations, as they may not be large enough to adequately plug loss zones, leading to drilling challenges and potential wellbore lodgment.
Innovation Solution
The use of compressed lost circulation materials, comprising a binding material and a compressed material, which expand in the formation upon degradation of the binding material, providing larger plugging efficiency without increasing pumping power and facilitating easier transportation due to their smaller size, with tunable particle sizes and densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional lost circulation materials are used, then the wellbore can be treated for plugging loss zones, but the materials are not sufficiently large to effectively reduce or prevent lost circulation in severe cases
Solution Approach 1:
The lost circulation materials are pre-compressed to a smaller size for easy transportation and pumping down the wellbore. Upon reaching the loss zone, the materials are allowed to expand to their full size, providing effective plugging capability when needed most.
Solution Approach 2:
The materials undergo a change in volume parameter from compressed state (for transport) to expanded state (for plugging). This parameter change allows the same material to serve both transportation efficiency and effective plugging functions.
2Reliability
If larger lost circulation materials are used to improve plugging efficiency, then lost circulation can be effectively arrested, but the materials become more difficult to transport and pump
Solution Approach 1:
The materials are compressed to a compact state before being pumped down the wellbore, making them easier to transport and pump. Once in the loss zone, they expand to provide effective plugging, thus resolving the contradiction between size and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The materials transition from a static compressed state during transport to an expanded dynamic state during plugging. This dynamic transformation allows the system to optimize for ease of operation during transport and for plugging effectiveness during the actual loss circulation event.
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 compressed lost circulation materials effectively increase plugging efficiency in loss zones, reducing fluid loss and simplifying downhole operations by expanding to larger sizes within the formation, thus addressing the limitations of traditional materials.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the binding material to at least partially degrade or dissolve
Implementation Method 2
allowing the binding material to at least partially degrade or dissolve
Implementation Method 3
allowing the compressed lost circulation material to at least partially expand in the subterranean formation
Data Source
AI summary
Compressed lost circulation materials for use in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include: introducing a treatment fluid that includes a base fluid and a compressed lost circulation material into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation including a loss zone, the compressed lost circulation material including a binding material and a compressed material; allowing the binding material to at least partially degrade or dissolve; and allowing the compressed lost circulation material to at least partially expand in the subterranean formation.