LOST CIRCULATION

230M170
 Revision History
Rev. Date Description Author
1.0 01/06/04 Technical validation F. Rashid - KTC

1.1 30/06/04 Spelling corrections C. Camman - SRPC

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 Objectives
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
• Explain lost circulation
• Explain the consequences of lost circulation
• Classify the types of lost circulation
• Explain critical parameters in lost circulation
• Identify Lost circulation solutions
• Explain the Lost Circulation Advisor

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 Lost Circulation
The Obvious
• The total or partial loss of drilling/completion fluid or
cement to highly permeable zones,
The more exact
• The loss of a highly complex balance between pore
pressure, the hydrostatic/dynamic head and the
frac/parting pressure

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 Definitions
• Pore Pressure
– the pressure trapped within the pores of a rock
• Hydrostatic Head
– a pressure created by the weight of a fluid column
• Dynamic Head
– a pressure created by a moving fluid column including hydrostatic
and friction pressure
• Frac Pressure
– the pressure at which a rock parts
• Parting Pressure
– the pressure at which a fracture reopens
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 Lost Circulation – A costly Problem
• Time consuming
– Lost time due to slow drilling progress
– Poor cuttings removal (stuck pipe)
– Additional casing strings
• Missing the target
– Damage to payzone resulting in skin
– Poor zonal isolation due to cement losses
• Dangerous operation
– Kick or blow out due to imbalance in the well
– Loss of well

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 Porosity
Primary Porosity
• is resulting from deposition
and compaction of material
under changing temperatures
and pressures.

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 Porosity
Secondary Porosity
• is created by later geological
processes, removing or
breaking some of the material
under changing temperatures
and pressures.

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 Types of Losses
• Highly permeable and/or unconsolidated formation
– Sandstone / Gravel
• Cavernous or vugular formation
– Limestone
– Dolomite, Saltdome Cap Rocks
• Natural fractures and fissures
– Sandstone, Limestone / Dolomites
• Induced fractures
– Sandstone, Limestone / Dolomites
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 Critical Parameters
• Severity of the losses • Type of the zone of losses
– Seepage < 20 bbl / h – Limestone/Dolomite
– Partial 20 to 200 bbl / h – Sandstone/Gravel
– Severe 200 to 500 bbl / h – Evaporates (Anhydrite, Salt)
– Total no returns

• Depth of the losses

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 Lost Circulation
Difficult to diagnose and solve
• How to identify the LC type?
• What are the depths of the LC zones?
• What is the best LC system to use?
– Was it successful when used in similar conditions?
• Where to get information on the available LC systems?

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 Lost Circulation Solutions
• Numerous LC systems
available on the market
– Cement systems
– Gunk plugs
– Silicate systems
– Dilatant slurries
– Cross linked polymers
• Knowledge Management
– Lost Circulation Advisor
(LCA)

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 Lost Circulation Advisor
A decision Tree used to analyze and solve LC problems
• Jointly developed between Schlumberger and MI
• Based on field experience and not on formulas and models
• Estimates the depth and type of LC zones
– More inputs means more accurate outputs
• Recommends a list of LC systems
• To be used by the field personnel
– User friendly
• Excellent learning tool
• Routinely updated for continuous improvement
• Protected by a license
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 Lost Circulation Advisor
Well Data + Logical sets of questions

User Report Analysis based on experience

Problem Identification
Best solutions based on lessons learned

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 Inputs
• Administration information
• Well data
• Previous LC treatments used
• Current action (cementing or drilling)
• Estimated loss rates and fluid level
• OH stratigraphy and known losses in these zones
• Mud type used
• Permanent treatment?

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 Inputs
• A set of questions to analyze the
following:
– Type of losses
• High permeable zones
• Natural or induced fractures
• Vugular formations
• Caverns
– Losses depth
• Near the bit
• Near the previous shoes
• Somewhere in the O.H
– Best LC system to use

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 Outputs
• Identifies the LC type
• Identifies the LC depth
• Recommends the best LC
treatment
• Technical information on all
the LC systems
• Client report

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 Lost Circulation Advisor

• During the design and planning phase

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 Summary
• Lost circulation
• Lost circulation consequences
• Types of lost circulation
• Critical parameters in lost circulation
• Lost circulation solutions
• Lost Circulation Advisor

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