Date Palm Seed Lost Circulation Material for Severe Loss Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particulate or chip Lost Circulation Materials (LCMs) are ineffective in creating bridges and flow barriers in total and severe loss zones due to their size and specific gravity, leading to challenges in transporting them to loss zones and limiting the effectiveness of LCM treatment jobs.
Innovation Solution
A method using an altered drilling fluid containing a mixture of whole date palm seeds and chips produced from ground date palm seeds, with specific size and weight percentages, to form plugs, seals, and flow barriers in gaps, fractures, and vugs, ensuring minimal settlement and sagging in the drilling fluid circulation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing particulate or chip LCMs are used, then they can be transported into loss zones, but they are unable to create effective bridges and flow barriers in the sizes of gaps, fractures, and vugs located in total and severe loss zones
Solution Approach 1:
The LCM is segmented into multiple size fractions (2-4mm, 4-6mm, 6-8mm, 8-10mm, 10-12mm) to create a hierarchical structure where smaller particles fill gaps between larger particles, enabling effective bridging across a wide range of fracture and vug sizes in total and severe loss zones
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite LCM system combining date palm seeds with specific gravity control (1.03-1.07) and multi-size distribution, creating a material that combines the benefits of appropriate weight for transportation with sufficient size for effective plugging in large openings
2Weight of moving object
If chip LCMs with specific gravity greater than 2 are used, then they can provide sufficient weight for placement, but they become difficult to transport into loss zones due to settlement and sagging in the circulation system
Solution Approach 1:
The specific gravity of the LCM is precisely controlled within the range of 1.03-1.07 by selecting appropriate date palm seed varieties and processing methods, representing a significant reduction from conventional LCMs (SG>2.0) while maintaining sufficient weighting for effective placement in loss zones
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses natural date palm seeds as a biodegradable, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional heavy LCMs, sacrificing some weight for the benefits of easier transportation and reduced environmental impact
3Reliability
If larger LCM particles are used to plug large openings, then they can create effective flow barriers, but they settle and sag more in the circulation system
Solution Approach 1:
Different size fractions of LCM (2-4mm, 4-6mm, 6-8mm, 8-10mm, 10-12mm) are distributed throughout the drilling fluid to target specific depth zones and fracture sizes, with smaller particles remaining suspended longer and larger particles providing structural bridging at various locations in the wellbore
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 altered drilling fluid effectively reduces lost circulation by forming structures in loss zones, minimizing fluid loss, and maintaining stability within the drilling fluid circulation system, thereby enhancing the placement and effectiveness of LCMs in severe and total loss zones.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the particle mass and resulting buoyancy force acting on these chip LCMs, the effective transportation of these LCMs into the loss zones is one of the major challenges
Implementation Method 2
Existing particulate or chip LCMs may be unable to create bridges and flow barriers in the openings in these total and severe loss zones
Implementation Method 3
ensuring minimal settlement and sagging in the drilling fluid circulation system
Data Source
AI summary
A lost circulation material (LCM) that includes whole date palm seeds and chips formed from ground date palm seeds. The whole and ground date palm seed LCM includes chips having lengths in the range of greater than 1 micrometer (μm) to less than 6730 μm. Method of manufacturing the whole and ground date palm seed LCM include washing and drying whole date palm seeds, such that the drying includes air-drying, hot rolling, and cooling. Methods of reducing lost circulation are also provided.