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Correlating lost circulation materials' size and shape with sealing effectiveness in a lab setting

Baker, Walter H.
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Eustes, Alfred William
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Date
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2024
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2024 - Mines Theses & Dissertations
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Baker_mines_0052N_13024.pdf
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Baker_mines_0052N_316/Dept Approval.pdf
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Baker_mines_0052N_316/LCM Shape Data.xlsx
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Baker_mines_0052N_316/LCM Testing Data.xlsx
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Baker_mines_0052N_316/Thesis Defense Form_ Walter Baker w approvals.pdf
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https://hdl.handle.net/11124/180339
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Abstract
The uncontrolled loss of fluid during drilling operations has been an existing and costly issue throughout the history of the Oil and Gas industry. The cost and frequency of lost circulation (LOC) events is exacerbated when drilling through producing and depleted plays while exploring deeper source rock. The severity of LOC events varies in scale as a function of drilling fluid rheology, density, wellbore and pore pressure, and rock properties. Fluid loss may occur in pore space, fractures (occurring naturally or induced), or subsurface caverns. The most often severe or “total loss” events typically occur in the natural and induced fracture intervals. Currently the industry lacks common testing data and practices to engineer mitigation techniques to address these lost circulation events, specifically losses in fracture networks (induced and natural). The purpose of this research is to provide size, shape and testing data using common lost circulation materials found in the field. Materials were provided by major oil and gas service companies. A lost circulation study laboratory was created on the main Colorado School of Mines campus. In this lab setting, particle size and shape data were gathered using a combination of sieving and image analyses. Slot testing was completed using an automated plugging and permeability device, provided lost circulation materials, and a pre-designed fluid or “mud” system. Material testing successes were determined by measuring fluid loss at pressure, through standard slot sizes. Testing results were compared to the size and shape data previously gathered. When comparing size and shape data to sealing pressures, common material characteristics were identified in their overall sealing effectiveness. Comparing materials physical properties and using our current understanding of fracture conductivity, it became apparent that a material blend’s sealing effectiveness was directly related to its combined ability coarse materials to create a stable infrastructure fine fibrous material. The study results should supplement lost circulation materials design and engineering material blends in tailored applications.
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