Lost Circulation Material Permeability Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The selection of lost circulation materials (LCM) and their loading in cementing and drilling operations is often based on experiential heuristics, lacking appropriate analytical tools to account for interactions between base fluid design, rheology, loss mechanisms, and fracture characteristics, leading to insufficient control over losses.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to design a composition that includes LCM, considering the permeability of the filter cake, which depends on both large and smaller particles, using a fracture bridging simulator and wellbore hydraulics software to determine the optimal LCM and fluid composition for effective loss control, incorporating medium and small-sized particles to reduce permeability and prevent losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If LCM selection is based only on size and shape compared to fracture width, then the selection process is simple, but loss control effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLCM selection processVSAvoidloss control effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the LCM selection process from a simple size-based comparison to a comprehensive multi-parameter analysis including particle size distribution, shape factors, rheological properties, fracture geometry, and pumping conditions. This enables accurate prediction of filter cake permeability and bridging effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between selection simplicity and loss control reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If base fluid design is changed, then fluid performance can be optimized, but LCM selection may become inadequate without updated analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid performance optimizationVSAvoidLCM selection adequacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where changes in base fluid design automatically trigger updated LCM selection analysis. The system evaluates how rheological modifications affect particle bridging behavior and filter cake formation, ensuring LCM selection remains adequate when fluid properties are changed, thus resolving the contradiction between fluid optimization and LCM selection adequacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If experiential heuristics are used for LCM selection, then the process is quick and easy, but it lacks analytical rigor to account for complex interactions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLCM selection speedVSAvoidanalytical tool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective experiential heuristics with an objective analytical model that computes LCM selection based on fundamental physical principles. The system uses rheological equations, fracture mechanics, and filtration theory to predict bridging effectiveness and filter cake permeability, providing analytical rigor while maintaining operational efficiency through automated calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Strength

If larger LCM particles are used to bridge fractures, then bridging capability is improved, but filter cake permeability increases which reduces loss control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebridging capabilityVSAvoidfluid loss

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the LCM system into multiple particle size classes that work together hierarchically. Larger particles provide primary bridging across the fracture, while smaller particles fill interstices to reduce permeability. This multi-scale approach enables simultaneous achievement of strong bridging capability and low filter cake permeability, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables the determination of the appropriate LCM and fluid composition to achieve low permeability filter cakes, effectively controlling losses by optimizing the particle size distribution and shape, thereby ensuring successful cementing operations.

Implementation Method 1

determining if a lost circulation material (LCM) has the potential to bridge a fracture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBridging:

Implementation Method 2

determining a permeability of filter cake formed due to the LCM

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The permeability of the filter cake directly depends on the particle size

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeability: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS20230340841A1Designing For Permeability Of Filter Cake To Control Lost Circulation

Publication Date: 2023.10.26 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Methods of the present disclosure relate to designing lost circulation material (LCM) based on permeability of filter cake. A method comprises determining if a lost circulation material (LCM) has the potential to bridge a fracture, the fracture extending from a wellbore; determining a permeability of filter cake formed due to the LCM, wherein the permeability is determined if the LCM has the potential to bridge the fracture; and formulating a composition that includes the LCM, to control losses from the wellbore.