Lost Circulation Material Composition for Wide Fracture Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing lost circulation of drilling fluids in subterranean formations are inadequate, as they fail to effectively seal both small pores and large fractures while maintaining tolerance to high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising resilient graphitic carbon with a bimodal particle size distribution, combined with a polymer enhancer, is used to create a sealing material that efficiently blocks fluid entry into fractures and porous areas, maintaining effectiveness up to 250°F.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lost circulation materials are used, then some sealing effect is achieved, but they cannot efficiently seal both small pores and large fractures simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The lost circulation material is segmented into multiple particle size ranges, with each size range specifically designed to seal certain fracture sizes. Small particles seal small pores while large particles seal large fractures, allowing the single composition to address the full spectrum of fracture sizes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different particle size ranges within the composition are distributed to different locations based on fracture size. Small particles are retained in small pores by capillary forces while large particles are retained in large fractures by mechanical interlocking, creating locally optimized sealing at each fracture size.
2Temperature
If polymer enhancers are added to improve high-temperature performance, then temperature tolerance is improved, but composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The composition uses composite materials combining inorganic lost circulation materials with organic polymer enhancers. The polymer components (such as xanthan gum, guar gum, or carboxymethyl cellulose) are integrated with the particulate LCM to create a composite system that maintains structural integrity and sealing effectiveness at high temperatures where conventional materials would fail.
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 composition effectively seals both small pores and large fractures, reducing fluid loss and maintaining performance at high temperatures, as demonstrated by particle plugging and slot tests, providing a versatile solution for lost circulation issues.
Implementation Method 1
a water-swellable, but not water-soluble, crystalline synthetic polymer... that will readily swell following exposure to water or aqueous based fluids
Implementation Method 2
resilient, angular, carbon-based material... resilient graphitic carbon... efficiently seals both small pores... and large fractures
Implementation Method 3
preventing or alleviating the loss of drilling fluids and other well servicing fluids into a subterranean formation
Data Source
AI summary
A lost circulation material and method for well treatment employing the material that is effective at sealing or plugging small fissures and large fractures and has utility over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures. The material has an optimized bimodal particle distribution and optionally has a polymer flocculent or water swellable polymer.