Date Palm Fiber Lost Circulation Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lost circulation during drilling operations poses challenges due to excessive fluid loss, leading to well control issues, borehole instability, and environmental concerns, particularly in sensitive formations where conventional Lost Circulation Materials (LCMs) are not biodegradable and costly.

Innovation Solution

A method using an altered drilling fluid containing a Lost Circulation Material (LCM) composed of date tree waste fibers from date palm processing, which includes fibers from trunks, rachis, leaves, leaflets, and roots, to reduce fluid loss by forming a fibrous mat-like seal in fractures and gaps, effectively blocking fluid entry into formations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If conventional LCMs are used to control lost circulation, then fluid loss is reduced, but environmental harm increases due to non-biodegradability and toxicity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid lossVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material composition parameter by using date tree waste fibers instead of conventional synthetic LCMs. This natural fiber material maintains the fluid loss control function while eliminating the environmental toxicity and non-biodegradability issues of conventional LCMs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable natural fiber material from date tree waste that performs its LCM function temporarily during drilling operations and then degrades naturally. This replaces expensive, persistent synthetic materials with a biodegradable alternative that serves its purpose and then harmlessly decomposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Loss of substance

If conventional LCMs are imported to drilling locations, then lost circulation is controlled, but costs increase due to purchase and importation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid lossVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables the drilling operation to utilize locally available date tree waste material, making the system self-sufficient for LCM needs. This eliminates dependence on imported materials and reduces costs associated with purchase and transportation of conventional LCMs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces date tree waste fibers as an intermediary material that fulfills the LCM function. This local natural resource acts as a substitute for imported conventional LCMs, reducing the need for external material supply chains and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If date tree waste fibers are used as LCM, then environmental friendliness is improved through biodegradability, but fluid loss control effectiveness must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidfluid loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite fibrous material from date tree waste components (trunks, rachis, leaves, leaflets, and roots) to create an LCM that combines the beneficial properties of different natural fibers. This composite structure maintains the mechanical properties needed for effective fluid loss control while preserving biodegradability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 date tree waste LCM demonstrates superior performance in controlling fluid loss, reducing mud losses to negligible levels, and is environmentally friendly, eliminating the need for other LCMs and minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

forming a fibrous mat-like seal in fractures and gaps, effectively blocking fluid entry into formations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier formation: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11370953B2Date tree waste-based compound fibrous LCMs

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A date tree waste-based lost circulation material (LCM) is provided. The date tree waste LCM may include includes fibers from the date tree waste produced from processing date trees in the production of date fruits. The date tree waste may include fibers from one or more of the following: date tree trunks, date tree rachis, date tree leaflets, date tree panicles, and date tree roots. The date tree waste LCM may include fibers having lengths in the range of 5 millimeters (5 mm) to 15 mm, diameters in the range of 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm, and having an aspect ratio range of 6 to 30. Methods of lost circulation control using and manufacture of a date tree waste LCM are also provided.