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.

scholarly journals Laboratory Study on a New Composite Plugging Material with High Bearing Strength and High-Temperature Resistance

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Xiaoming Su ◽  
Zhanghua Lian ◽  
Hanqiao Xiong ◽  
Yuan Yuan ◽  
Junwei Fang
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Invasion Depth ◽  
Temperature Resistance ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Bearing Strength ◽  
High Temperature Resistance ◽  
Acid Solubility ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials

The reservoir in the Central Tarim Basin is a typical high-pressure fracture-vuggy carbonate reservoir with high temperatures, which easily leads to drilling fluid losses and the high-temperature carbonate. The conventional lost circulation materials (LCMs) cannot meet the reservoir. To resolve this problem, a rigid particle with high-temperature resistance, high acid solubility, and high rigidity was developed, tested, and evaluated. According to bridge rules of 1/2–2/3 opening degree of formation fracture, the formulation experiments of GZD and other lost circulation materials were conducted and a novel composite lost circulation material (LCM) was completed. Lastly, we investigated the compatibility of LCM and mud in site though compatibility experiment, analyzed the plugging effect of the system for fracture and vuggy by laboratory static lost circulation simulation and evaluation and sand-bed plugging experiments, respectively. The results show that compared with the conventional rigid lost material, the value of high-temperature resistance is more and acid solubility is over 98%. Also, it can work well with other fiber materials (E), variable filling particles (F and G), and superfine filling particles (H) and form a novel plugging material, named MGY-I, whose temperature resistance value is more than 473.15 K, the bearing strength is over than 9 MPa, the mud filtrate invasion depth of sand bed made from coarse particles (10∼20 mesh) is only 3.0 cm within 30 minutes, and the invasion depth is less than 1 cm within 30 minutes when the sand bed is made from 80∼100 mesh. The optimal concentrations of rigid granule, lignin fiber, elastic particle, and superfine calcium carbonate are 8% (A : B : CD = 2 : 1 : 1), 0.5%, 6%, and 1%, respectively. And, the plugging function of “GZD-rigidity bridge and filling, fiber network and deformable filing” is better exerted on the formation fracture with a high loading capacity and a high-temperature resistance.

Risk Planning and Mitigation in Oil Well Fields

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 27-48
Author(s):  
Nediljka Gaurina-Međimurec ◽  
Borivoje Pašić ◽  
Petar Mijić
Keyword(s):  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Oil Well ◽  
Remedial Measures ◽  
Successful Management ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Wellbore Strengthening ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials ◽  
Industry Experience ◽  
Tools And Methods

Lost circulation presents one of the major risks associated with drilling. The complete prevention of lost circulation is impossible but limiting circulation loss is possible if certain precautions are taken. Industry experience has proved that is often easier and more effective to prevent the occurrence of loss than to attempt to stop or reduce them once they have started. The problem of lost circulation was magnified considerably when operators began drilling deeper and/or depleted formations. A strategy for successful management of lost circulation should include preventative (best drilling practices, drilling fluid selection, and wellbore strengthening materials) and remedial measures when lost circulation occurs through the use of lost circulation materials. In this paper the authors present lost circulation zones and causes, potential zones of lost circulation, excessive downhole pressures causes, preventive measures, tools and methods for locating loss zones and determining the severity of loss, lost circulation materials, and recommended treatments.

An Experimental Investigation of Filtercake Reinforced Wellbore Strengthening and Fracture Sealing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingzheng Yang ◽  
Yuanhang Chen ◽  
Frederick B. Growcock ◽  
Feifei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Fracture Initiation ◽  
Fluid Loss ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Fracture Sealing ◽  
Sealing Pressure ◽  
Wellbore Strengthening ◽  
Mud Loss ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials

Abstract Drilling-induced lost circulation should be managed before and during fracture initiation rather than after they propagate to form large fractures and losses become uncontrollable. Recent studies indicated the potentially critical role of filtercake in strengthening the wellbore through formation of a pressure-isolating barrier, as well as plugging microfractures during fracture initiation. In this study, an experimental investigation was conducted to understand the role played by filtercake in the presence of lost circulation materials (LCMs). A modified permeability plugging apparatus (PPA) with slotted discs was used to simulate whole mud loss through fractures of known width behind filtercake. Cumulative fluid loss upon achieving a complete seal and the maximum sealing pressure were measured to evaluate the combined effects of filtercake and LCMs in preventing and reducing fluid losses. The effects of some filtercake properties (along with LCM type, concentration and particle size distribution) on filtercake rupture and fracture sealing were investigated. The results indicate that filtercake can accelerate fracture sealing and reduce total mud loss. Efficiently depositing filtercake while drilling can reduce the concentration of LCM that is required to plug and isolate incipient fractures.

Novel Analytical Solution and Type-Curves for Lost-Circulation Diagnostics of Drilling Mud in Fractured Formation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rami Albattat ◽  
Hussein Hoteit
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Solution ◽  
Diagnostic Tool ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Dimensionless Time ◽  
Type Curves ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Dimensionless Groups ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Mud Loss

Abstract Loss of circulation is a major problem that often causes interruption to drilling operations, and reduction in efficiency. This problem often occurs when the drilled wellbore encounters a high permeable formation such as faults or fractures, leading to total or partial leakage of the drilling fluids. In this work, we present a novel semi-analytical solution and type-curves that offer a quick and accurate diagnostic tool to assess the lost-circulation of Herschel-Bulkley fluids in fractured media. Based on the pressure and mud loss trends, the tool can estimate the effective fracture conductivity, the cumulative mud-loss volume, and the leakage period. The behavior of lost-circulation into fractured formation can be assessed using analytical methods that can be deployed to perform flow diagnostics, such as the rate of fluid leakage and the associated fracture hydraulic properties. In this study, we develop a new semi-analytical method to quantify the leakage of drilling fluid flow into fractures. The developed model is applicable for non-Newtonian fluids with exhibiting yield-power-law, including shear thickening and thinning, and Bingham plastic fluids. We propose new dimensionless groups and generate novel dual type-curves, which circumvent the non-uniqueness issues in trend matching of type-curves. We use numerical simulations based on finite-elements to verify the accuracy of the proposed solution, and compare it with existing analytical solutions from the literature. Based on the proposed semi-analytical solution, we propose new dimensionless groups and generate type-curves to describe the dimensionless mud-loss volume versus the dimensionless time. To address the non-uniqueness matching issue, we propose, for the first time, complimentary derivative-based type-curves. Both type-curve sets are used in a dual trend matching, which significantly reduced the non-uniqueness issue that is typically encountered in type-curves. We use data for lost circulation from a field case to show the applicability of the proposed method. We apply the semi-analytical solver, combined with Monte-Carlo simulations, to perform a sensitivity study to assess the uncertainty of various fluid and subsurface parameters, including the hydraulic property of the fracture and the probabilistic prediction of the rate of mud leakage into the formation. The proposed approach is based on a novel semi-analytical solution and type-curves to model the flow behavior of Herschel-Bulkley fluids into fractured reservoirs, which can be used as a quick diagnostic tool to evaluate lost-circulation in drilling operations.

Managing Suspension Characteristics of Lost-Circulation Materials in a Drilling Fluid

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (04) ◽  
pp. 310-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep D. Kulkarni ◽  
Dale E. Jamison ◽  
Kushabhau D. Teke ◽  
Sharath Savari
Keyword(s):  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials

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.

Wood Fibre Based Lost Circulation Materials

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arild Saasen ◽  
Helge Hodne ◽  
Egil Ronæs ◽  
Simen André Aarskog ◽  
Bente Hetland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Type ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Wood Fibre ◽  
Fluid Loss ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Bottom Hole Assembly ◽  
Induced Fractures ◽  
Fine Wood ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials

In this paper both a coarse and fine wood fibre type of Lost Circulation Material (LCM) is tested in the laboratory. It is shown how these fibre treatments work. The fibre type is partially oil wetting making them suitable for application in oil based drilling fluids. The fine material helps stopping small drilling induced fractures, while the coarse helps stopping lost circulation into several natural fractures or coal or conglomerate formations. In the article, the selection of wood fibres is described in more detail. Testing of the fine materials were conducted conventionally by pumping drilling fluid volumes with LCM onto slotted disks in fluid loss apparatuses. The coarse fibres are too large to be tested in these apparatuses. Therefore, gravel with grain diameter around two centimetres was filled into transparent cylinders. The pore throats created by these gravel particles were above half a centimetre. For both of these LCMs the experiments show the sensitivity of the LCM concentration in the drilling fluid to stop the lost circulation. Also, it is shown the effect of the LCM on viscous properties of the drilling fluids. Not all LCMs can be pumped through the bit. The article describes the need for circulation subs in the bottom hole assembly (BHA) to hinder the LCM blocking the entire BHA.

The Effects of Temperature on Rheology Properties and Filtrate after Using Lemongrass as Lost Circulation Materials for Oil Based Drilling Mud

2014 ◽  
Vol 911 ◽  
pp. 243-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.A. Ghazali ◽  
T.A.T. Mohd ◽  
N. Alias ◽  
M.Z. Shahruddin ◽  
A. Sauki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Filter Press ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Water Based ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Effects Of Temperature ◽  
Mud Loss ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials

Lost circulation materials (LCM) are used to combat mud loss to the reservoir formation which can cause problems during drilling operation. Difficulties in handling and costly are those challenges faced by drilling operator. Mostly LCM can work better in water based mud compared to oil based mud due to characteristic of LCM itself. Nowadays, most of operator interested in the ultra-deep water due to the limitation of reservesand deals with high temperature and high pressure conditions.Oil based mud (OBM) is more preferable in high temperature conditions compared to water based mud hence a laboratory study was carried out to investigate the effect of temperature on the performance of lemongrass with different sizes in oil based mud. The oil based mud was formulated and tested with three different temperatures which are 250oF, 275oF and 350oF. The lemongrass LCM was prepared with three different sizes which are 150 microns, 250 microns and 500 microns. The sizes distribution of LCM is one of the main contributors to the success of LCM in the formation. The oil based mud samples were tested using Fann Viscometer to determine rheology properties and HPHT Filter Press to investigate the amount of filtrate. It was found that different temperatures and sizes have great effects on the lemongrass LCM in the oil based mud. The optimum temperature for lemongrass LCM is 275oF and with the sizes of 250 microns.

scholarly journals Mathematical Simulation of Lost Circulation in Fracture and Its Control

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Xiao Cai ◽  
Boyun Guo ◽  
Qingfeng Guo ◽  
Hongwei Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Control Process ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Circulation Control ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Lost Circulation ◽  
Lost Circulation Materials

Lost circulation has been one of the major problems that impede efficient and cost-saving drilling operations. The nature of lost circulation and its control is not yet fully understood. A method to characterize the mud loss in fracture and the plugging process of lost circulation materials is highly desired to obtain a thorough understanding of mud losses in fracture and provide reference for lost circulation control. This paper presents an easy-to-use method to identify types of lost circulation in fracture and the corresponding control. Three analytical models are presented based on three loss mechanisms, namely, seepage/filtration in a fracture, pipe flow in a fracture, and gravity displacement in a fracture. A numerical model is developed to simulate the deposition of lost circulation materials in fractures and predict the time and the volume of drilling fluid needed for lost circulation control. Case studies with these analytical models provide a deeper insight of this subject. Sensitivity analyses with the numerical model identify the major factors responsible for lost circulation control. High viscosity of drilling fluid may prevent lost circulation, while low viscosity is desired for a fast control of lost circulation. Lowering the density of drilling fluid is another way to prevent the lost circulation and facilitate the deposition of lost circulation materials. Lost circulation materials with high density could deposit faster close to the wellbore and therefore accelerating the control process. High concentration of lost circulation materials is likely to shorten the plugging time, which should be determined referring to the severity of loss. This work provides drilling engineers a practical method for simulating the lost circulation and selecting lost circulation material.

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