Oxidized Polyethylene Wax for Lost Circulation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for treating lost circulation in wellbore servicing face challenges such as fluid loss to subterranean formations, leading to difficulties in drilling and production, and existing solutions involve handling large volumes of acid that can cause formation damage.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a water-based mud and a wax material, specifically an oxidized polyethylene wax, is introduced into the wellbore to reduce or prevent fluid loss into lost circulation zones, using a bridging agent like sized calcium carbonate to seal pores and fractures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional acid-based methods are used to treat lost circulation, then fluid loss can be controlled, but formation damage occurs and handling of large volumes of acid becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelost circulation controlVSAvoidformation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment composition by using oxidized polyethylene wax instead of conventional acid-based materials. The wax undergoes oxidation to form polar groups that enhance its ability to bond with formation minerals and seal lost circulation zones, thereby controlling fluid loss without causing formation damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system combining oxidized polyethylene wax with water-based mud and optional bridging agents. This composite formulation leverages the sealing properties of the wax while the water-based mud provides fluid loss control and the bridging agents enhance the plugging capability in lost circulation zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wax-based composition is used to reduce fluid loss, then lost circulation is controlled without formation damage, but the composition must be subsequently removed to restore permeability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation damage preventionVSAvoidremoval process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by using oleaginous fluids to dissolve and remove the oxidized polyethylene wax after it has served its sealing function. The wax is temporarily deposited to control lost circulation, then systematically removed to restore formation permeability for production operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses oleaginous fluids as an intermediary substance to facilitate the removal of the wax plug. These fluids act as a solvent that selectively dissolves the oxidized polyethylene wax without damaging the formation, enabling clean removal and restoration of the wellbore for subsequent production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If bridging agents like sized calcium carbonate are used to seal pores and fractures, then fluid loss is prevented, but the composition becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid loss preventionVSAvoidcomposition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using bridging agents with specific size distributions (e.g., sized calcium carbonate) that are optimally matched to the pore throat dimensions of lost circulation zones. The bridging agents accumulate locally in the lost circulation zones, forming effective plugs without requiring excessive amounts of material or complex formulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 wax-based composition effectively reduces fluid loss, allowing for continued drilling operations by forming a plug in lost circulation zones, and can be subsequently removed using oleaginous fluids to restore permeability, thereby reducing nonproductive rig time and preventing formation damage.

Implementation Method 1

forming a plug in lost circulation zones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlug formation:

Implementation Method 2

using a bridging agent like sized calcium carbonate to seal pores and fractures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBridging:

Implementation Method 3

can be subsequently removed using oleaginous fluids to restore permeability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS8905134B2Wellbore servicing compositions and methods of making and using same

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method of servicing a wellbore comprising identifying lost circulation zone within a wellbore; and placing in the wellbore a composition comprising a wax and a water-based mud wherein placement of the composition reduces or prevents a loss of fluids to the lost circulation zone. A wellbore servicing fluid comprising a water-based mud, a sized calcium carbonate particle and a wax.