Crosslinkable Polymer Lost Circulation Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wellbore servicing, fluids are lost to subterranean formations due to lost circulation zones, which hinders drilling and cementing operations, leading to reduced well production and ineffective sealing.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler, optionally with a packing agent, is introduced into lost circulation zones to form a permanent, flexible, and adhesive plug that blocks fluid flow, utilizing compositions like H2ZERO and FLEXPLUG to create a viscous gel that seals fractures and voids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional drilling fluids are circulated through the wellbore, then drilling operations can proceed, but fluid is lost to the formation through lost circulation zones, reducing circulation efficiency and well production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation efficiencyVSAvoiddrilling fluid loss to formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful fluid loss problem by introducing a separate lost circulation composition that targets and seals the lost circulation zones, allowing the main drilling fluid to continue circulating effectively without being lost to the formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lost circulation composition acts as an intermediary substance that bridges the gap between the drilling fluid and the formation, creating a selective barrier that prevents fluid loss while allowing drilling operations to continue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If secondary cementing operations are performed to seal lost circulation zones, then formation isolation is improved, but cement slurry is lost to the formation, rendering the sealing operation ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation isolation integrityVSAvoidcement slurry loss to formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The lost circulation composition is introduced into the wellbore before the secondary cementing operation to pre-seal the lost circulation zones, creating a protective barrier that prevents cement slurry from being lost to the formation during the subsequent cementing operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lost circulation composition serves as a protective cushioning layer that anticipates and prevents the harmful effect of cement slurry loss, ensuring that the secondary cementing operation can proceed effectively without compromising formation isolation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If fracturing fluid is pumped into the formation to create fractures for increased production, then oil or gas flow is enhanced, but water may be produced instead and previously created fractures must be plugged to prevent fluid loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil or gas productionVSAvoidfracture plugging operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fracture plugging requirement by using the lost circulation composition to selectively seal lost circulation zones and prevent fracturing fluid from entering the formation through existing fractures, allowing the fracturing operation to create controlled fractures without subsequent plugging needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution effectively prevents fluid loss, allowing continued drilling and maintaining wellbore pressure containment, with the plug exhibiting appreciable compressive strength and flexibility, thus enhancing well production and reducing nonproductive rig time.

Implementation Method 1

a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler, optionally with a packing agent, is introduced into lost circulation zones to form a permanent, flexible, and adhesive plug that blocks fluid flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The LCC may comprise a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler. Alternatively, the LCC may comprise a crosslinkable polymer system, a filler and a packing agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComposite material formation: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentUS8132623B2Methods of using lost circulation compositions

Publication Date: 2012.03.13 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method of servicing a wellbore in contact with a subterranean formation, comprising: placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler into a lost circulation zone within the wellbore. A method of blocking the flow of fluid through a lost circulation zone in a subterranean formation comprising placing a first composition comprising a packing agent into the lost circulation zone, placing a second composition comprising a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler into the lost circulation zone, and allowing the compositions to set into place.