scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of Particle Size Degradation and Plugging Efficiency of Three Granular Lost Circulation Materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 9061
Author(s):  
Saleh A. Alhaidari ◽  
Sulaiman A. Alarifi
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Fracture Width ◽  
Carrier Fluid ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Size Selection ◽  
Fluid Systems ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials ◽  
Salt Systems

This work delineates a comprehensive study of one of the main problems that contributes towards nonproductive time (NPT) in a drilling operation, which is lost circulation. The focus of this study was to investigate the performance of walnut, graphite, and marble, which are three widely used and industry-available granular lost circulation materials (LCMs). Additionally, the study aimed to establish a particle size selection guideline for better operational performance and plugging efficiency. Four water-based carrier fluid systems (water–bentonite mix, water–polymer mix, and two polymer–salt systems) were tested with the LCMs in this study. Dry and wet particle size degradation studies were conducted on all the LCMs with the different carrier fluid systems to study their compatibility and efficiency. The effect of the carrier fluid type was proven to be significant only on marble particles size degradation; walnut and graphite were not affected by the carrier fluids and showed consistent size degradation performance with all fluids. The results of this work led to newly developed particle size selection guidelines to enhance plugging efficiency—guidelines that are custom-made for each material by taking into consideration the rate of the degradation and type of material and by correlating the findings with fracture width. Applying this method of investigation to the current lost circulation management practice can help resolve many lost circulation incidents by effectively and efficiently selecting the appropriate LCM.

Assessment of Lost Circulation Material Particle-Size Distribution on Fracture Sealing: A Numerical Study

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Lu Lee ◽  
Arash Dahi Taleghani
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Fluid Loss ◽  
Material Particle ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Fracture Sealing ◽  
Discrete Element Methods ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials

Summary Lost circulation materials (LCMs) are essential to combat fluid loss while drilling and may put the whole operation at risk if a proper LCM design is not used. The focus of this research is understanding the function of LCMs in sealing fractures to reduce fluid loss. One important consideration in the success of fracture sealing is the particle-size distribution (PSD) of LCMs. Various studies have suggested different guidelines for obtaining the best size distribution of LCMs for effective fracture sealing based on limited laboratory experiments or field observations. Hence, there is a need for sophisticated numerical methods to improve the LCM design by providing some predictive capabilities. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and discrete element methods (DEM) numerical simulations are coupled to investigate the influence of PSD of granular LCMs on fracture sealing. Dimensionless variables were introduced to compare cases with different PSDs. We validated the CFD-DEM model in reproducing specific laboratory observations of fracture-sealing experiments within the model boundary parameters. Our simulations suggested that a bimodally distributed blend would be the most effective design in comparison to other PSDs tested here.

Investigation into Permeability and Bearing Strength of Plugging Zone Formed by Lost Circulation Materials

2012 ◽  
Vol 190-191 ◽  
pp. 504-508
Author(s):  
Song Li ◽  
Yi Li Kang ◽  
Li Jun You ◽  
Da Qi Li
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Soap Film ◽  
Fracture Width ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Bearing Strength ◽  
Confining Pressures ◽  
Mud Loss ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials ◽  
Relationship Of

Mud loss while drilling fractured formations is a major problem for drilling operating. It is a key to successful temporary sealing technology that lost circulation materials (LCM) can quickly form the plugging zone in the fractures. The permeability of plugged zone influences its bearing strength, as drilling fluid can penetrate and break it, causing it destabilizing and then failure of lost circulation controlling. With the soap film flowmeter, designing different LCM under variable confining pressures, considering the matching relationship of grain diameters and fracture width is (0.5～1):1, analyzing the permeability of plugging zones with different materials. The results indicated that permeability of plugging zone with peanut grains is lower than that of calcium carbonate, but its bearing strength is not as good as that of calcium carbonate, while using merely single LCM. Comparing other materials, the ideal plugging zone is formed with the mixture of peanut grains and calcium carbonate, which has the lowest permeability as well as the bearing strength. The mixture of matching calcium carbonate and smaller peanut grains, comparing to the width of fracture could stands 5 MPa of pressure difference at normal temperature, and 3.9 MPa at 80°C temperature in laboratory. To some extent, it can meet the needs of temporary sealing technology and successfully deal with lost circulation, which demands plugged tightly and bilateral pressurization.

Screening of Lost Circulation Materials for Geothermal Applications: Experimental Study at High Temperature

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Cesar Vivas ◽  
Saeed Salehi
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Thermal Degradation ◽  
Particle Size Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Granular Materials ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Sealing Pressure ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials

Abstract This study presents a laboratory experimental research to determine the characteristics of lost circulation materials (LCM) capable of addressing thermal degradation, providing bridging, and sealing in geothermal conditions. Eleven different materials were tested; Walnut Fine, Walnut Medium, Sawdust, Altavert, Graphite Blend, Bentonite Chips, Micronized Cellulose (MICRO-C), Magma Fiber Fine, diatomaceous earth/amorphous silica powder (DEASP), Cotton Seed Hulls, and a Calcium Carbonate Blend. The filtration and sealing pressure of the LCMs were measured with HPHT equipment up to 149°C (300°F). Besides, the particle size distribution (PSD) of fine granular materials was measured. The results show that the performance of some LCM materials commonly used in geothermal operations is affected by high temperature. Characteristics such as shape and size made some materials more prone to thermal degradation. Also, it was found that the PSD of LCMs is a key factor in the effectiveness of bridging and sealing fractures. The results suggest that granular materials with a wide particle size distribution PSD are suitable for geothermal applications.

Applications of a Novel Lost Circulation Additive

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Success Rate ◽  
Crack Width ◽  
Leakage Rate ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Leakage Loss ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Well Field ◽  
Complicated Situation ◽  
Scanning Electron

Abstract Lost circulation is a complicated situation in the drilling operation, wasting a lot of time and mud during processing. A serious lost circulation can cause hazards, such as sticking, blowout and collapse of well. There are some problems in conventional plugging technology, such as particle size of plugging material does not match crack width, slip of the blocking zone, and weak adhesion of lost circulation additive to the rock, which restricts the success rate of lost circulation operation. Regular and elastic polyhedron structure material compounds elastic variable network plugging material and rigid plugging materials to form a loss circulation materials (LCM)plugging mixture for different leakage speed and crack width affected by stress. Through plugging and HTHP sand bed experiment loss circulation materials(LCM) and amount of gel were optimized and improved. Through indoor simulation about leakage process of different leakage speed and different crack sizes, the on-site construction formula suitable for wells under different temperature is formed and determined. Scanning electron microscope shows the plugging gel has a variable network structure. By changing the ratio of elastic plugging material, rigid plugging material and gel, a LCM plugging formula for high temperature and high pressure formations can be formed to meet the pressure requirement of 7.5MPa. Leakage simulation formed on-site plan under different leakage rate to adapt to 180°C. The novel CPM material has been well-field tested and used for HPHT reservoirs. When the rate of leakage less than 30 m3/h and 30-60 m3/h, success rate of single plugging is more than 95% and rate of leakage greater than 60 m3/h success rate of single plugging beyond 80%. Leakage loss time is more than 80% shorter than conventional plugging techniques.

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