Electrically Triggered Lost Circulation Material for Wellbore Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lost circulation materials in wellbore drilling, especially chemical-based solutions, face challenges in accurately triggering solidification reactions and precise placement, leading to insufficient control over fluid losses, particularly in total lost circulation incidents.
Innovation Solution
An electrically activated lost circulation material system utilizing electrorheological fluids with urea-coated particles that change rheological properties upon application of an electric field, triggered by a downhole activation tool with electrodes and a power source to form a solid gel, effectively plugging lost circulation zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical-based lost circulation materials are used with temperature-triggered reactions or delayed reaction rates, then the materials can be pumped downhole and react to plug loss zones, but the triggering mechanism lacks precision and reliability in total lost circulation incidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical-based triggering mechanisms (temperature-triggered reactions or delayed reaction rates) with an electrical activation system. Electroporation electrodes deliver controlled electrical pulses to trigger immediate solidification of the lost circulation material at the desired location, providing precise and reliable control without relying on chemical reaction timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the activation parameter from chemical/thermal to electrical. By applying electrical fields through electroporation electrodes, the system triggers solidification of the lost circulation material based on electrical field parameters (voltage, pulse duration, frequency) rather than chemical reaction rates or temperature changes, enabling precise spatial and temporal control.
2Manufacturing precision
If lost circulation materials are introduced into the drilling fluid from the surface, then the materials can circulate to the loss zone and plug it, but precise placement at specific locations is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the activation function by using electroporation electrodes positioned at specific depths in the wellbore. Each electrode can independently trigger solidification of the lost circulation material at its location, allowing precise placement and control. The material is pumped continuously, and electrical activation occurs only where needed, enabling spatially selective plugging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electroporation electrodes as an intermediary between the pumped lost circulation material and the formation. The electrodes serve as the activation mechanism that converts the fluid material into a solid plug at the precise location, bridging the gap between material delivery and functional plugging.
3Measurement precision
If cement or chemically reactive materials are used as lost circulation materials, then they can solidify to seal fractures, but the reaction timing and location control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical reaction-based solidification with electrical field-triggered solidification. Electroporation electrodes deliver precise electrical pulses that immediately trigger solidification of the lost circulation material at the electrode location, providing accurate control over both timing and location, and ensuring reliable fluid loss control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pumping the lost circulation material downhole in fluid form before electrical activation. The material is positioned at the loss zone in advance, and then electroporation electrodes trigger immediate solidification at the precise moment and location needed, ensuring the material is ready but not yet activated until the optimal time.
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
This approach allows for precise and immediate activation of lost circulation materials at specific locations, enhancing control over fluid losses and enabling continued drilling operations by forming a solid gel that blocks further fluid loss.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing electrorheological fluids with urea-coated particles that change rheological properties upon application of an electric field
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system for emplacing an electrically activated lost circulation material within a wellbore. The system may comprise a bottom hole assembly connected to a drill string, with an activation tool that may be provided along the bottom hole assembly. The system may comprise an activation tool with a non-conductive isolation sleeve having an inner bore, electrodes exposed to an outer surface of the isolation sleeve, conductive cables electrically connecting the electrodes to one of an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, and a seat extending into the inner bore. Further provided is a method for plugging a loss zone in a wellbore that may use at least one activation tool. The method may include circulating an electrically activated lost circulation material to the loss zone and delivering electricity from a power source to electrodes of the activation tool to solidify the electrically activated lost circulation material.