High-Density Wood Pellets for Drilling Fluid Loss Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wood-based loss circulation materials in drilling fluids face challenges due to their low density, which causes them to float or settle improperly, and their ability to alter electrical properties of the fluid, leading to inefficient mixing and performance issues in drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A highly compressed wood-based loss circulation material is developed by pelletizing refined sawdust to match the density of drilling fluids, ensuring easy mixing and maintaining electrical stability, with the process involving high-pressure pelletization, crumbling, and screening to achieve desired particle sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wood-based loss circulation materials are used in drilling fluids, then environmental safety is improved and cost is reduced, but the material density mismatch causes floating or improper settling and requires thorough mixing that slows down drilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the density parameter of wood-based LCM materials through compression treatment. The wood chips or fibers are compressed to increase their density from typically 15-30 lb/ft³ to match drilling fluid density ranges, enabling them to suspend properly in the drilling fluid without floating or settling improperly, thereby eliminating the need for thorough mixing and maintaining drilling operation speed.
2Ease of manufacture
If wood-based materials are used as loss circulation material, then cost is reduced and environmental safety is improved, but the material takes up significant storage space due to low product density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by compressing wood-based materials to increase their density and reduce their volume. The compression process reduces the bulk volume of the LCM material while maintaining its mass, thereby reducing storage space requirements and transportation costs while preserving the environmental and cost advantages of wood-based materials.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If wood-based loss circulation materials are used, then environmental safety is improved, but the materials alter the electrical properties of the drilling fluid which affects performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by treating wood-based LCM materials to modify their electrical properties. The treatment process (such as coating or chemical modification) changes the surface characteristics of the wood particles to reduce their impact on the electrical properties of the drilling fluid, thereby maintaining electrical stability and fluid performance while preserving environmental safety.
4Productivity
If highly compressed wood-based pellets are used, then density matching and mixing speed are improved, but the pellets become very brittle and require crumbling and screening processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-crumbing the compressed wood pellets to the desired particle size distribution before use. The pellets are crumbled and screened in advance to create the appropriate size distribution for drilling operations, eliminating the need for on-site size reduction equipment and simplifying the overall process while maintaining the density and mixing speed advantages.
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 solution allows for rapid incorporation of the loss circulation material into drilling fluids without delaying operations, maintains electrical stability, and is environmentally safe, addressing the limitations of prior art by ensuring proper mixing and performance without altering the fluid's properties.
Implementation Method 1
The material is formed by employing very high pressures during the pelletizing process, wherein refined sawdust is reduced to high-density pellets.
Implementation Method 2
The resulting pellets are very brittle, and thus may be easily crumbed and screened into appropriate size groups for various loss circulation material applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A wood-based loss circulation material is formed with a density matched to the density of the drilling fluid to which the loss circulation material will be added. The material is formed from sawdust or fiber pressed under high pressure into high-density pellets. The resulting pellets are brittle, and may be crumbled and screened into particles of an appropriate size for a particular drilling fluid application. Different particle sizes may be employed to prevent seepage or fill voids during the well drilling process. The particles do not disassociate into their constituent materials when in the drilling fluid, and thus maintain their density during use.