Date Seed Chips for Lost Circulation Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lost circulation materials (LCMs) like calcium carbonate and graphite chips are ineffective in moderate and severe loss zones due to settlement and sagging issues in drilling fluids, especially in deviated or horizontal wellbores, and have low suspension capabilities, leading to reduced success rates in controlling fluid loss.

Innovation Solution

A date tree seed-based chip LCM with chips sized between 2.38 mm and 6.73 mm, produced through washing, air-drying, hot rolling, cooling, and grinding, is introduced into the drilling fluid to form plugs and seals in loss zones, offering improved suspension and reduced settlement in drilling fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If calcium carbonate chips or graphite chips are used as LCM in moderate and severe loss zones, then the chips can be introduced into the wellbore to attempt to control fluid loss, but the chips settle and sag in the stock tank or drilling fluid circulation system and are difficult to suspend in carrier fluid during circulation and placement into loss zone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuccess rate of LCM treatmentVSAvoidsuspension capability in drilling fluid

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the density parameter of the LCM material by using date tree seed chips with density of 1.0 g/cm³ or less, compared to conventional calcium carbonate chips (density >2.0 g/cm³) or graphite chips (density >1.8 g/cm³). This parameter change enables the chips to remain suspended in the carrier fluid during circulation and placement into the loss zone, preventing settlement and sagging issues that reduce treatment success rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If calcium carbonate chips or graphite chips with density greater than 2.0 g/cm³ are used, then the chips have sufficient weight to bridge gaps and fractures, but the density makes the chips difficult to suspend in drilling mud or carrier fluid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebridging capability in loss zonesVSAvoidsuspension capability in carrier fluid

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the density parameter of the LCM material by using date tree seed chips with density of 1.0 g/cm³ or less, compared to conventional calcium carbonate chips (density >2.0 g/cm³) or graphite chips (density >1.8 g/cm³). This parameter change enables the chips to remain suspended in the carrier fluid during circulation and placement into the loss zone, preventing settlement and sagging issues that reduce treatment success rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional LCM materials are used in moderate and severe loss zones with gaps, fractures, vugs, and channels greater than 5 mm, then the materials are introduced to control fluid loss, but the materials are unable to create effective bridges and flow barriers in the openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in controlling fluid lossVSAvoidability to form bridges and flow barriers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the density parameter of the LCM material by using date tree seed chips with density of 1.0 g/cm³ or less, compared to conventional calcium carbonate chips (density >2.0 g/cm³) or graphite chips (density >1.8 g/cm³). This parameter change enables the chips to remain suspended in the carrier fluid during circulation and placement into the loss zone, preventing settlement and sagging issues that reduce treatment success rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 seed-based chip LCM effectively forms barriers in large openings, maintains suspension in drilling fluids, and increases the number of particles per unit mass, enhancing the success rate of lost circulation control in moderate and severe loss zones with minimal settlement and sagging.

Implementation Method 1

The LCM consists of a plurality of chips produced from date tree seeds, each of the plurality of chips having a size in the range of greater than 2.38 millimeters (mm) to less than 6.73 mm... the LCM has a specific gravity of 1.1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity:

Implementation Method 2

the plurality of chips are produced by: washing date tree seeds, drying the date tree seeds after the washing, the drying including air-drying the date tree seeds for a first time period of at least two hours

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuspension: Suspension

Data Source

PatentUS11136487B2Date seed-based chips lost circulation material

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A lost circulation material (LCM) that includes chips formed from date palm seeds. The date palm seed-based chip LCM includes chips having lengths in the range of greater than 2.38 millimeters (mm) to less than 6.73 mm. Method of manufacturing the date palm seed-based chip LCM include washing and drying whole date tree seeds, such that the drying includes air-drying, hot rolling, and cooling. Methods of reducing lost circulation are also provided.